Philo: Goldeneye Winery; things to do

101 North

Goldeneye Winery  

9200 Hwy. 128, in Philo, (800) 208-0438, (707) 895-3202.   W-M 10am-4pm; tasting $20; reservations required. 

exterior of Goldeneye Winery tasting room in Philo, California

The specialty at Goldeneye Winery is pinot noirs.  (In case you are wondering, as I was, “Golden eye” refers to the yellow eye of the Northern diving duck.)  Though the tasting room is inside a small, attractive craftsman-style house surrounded by manicured gardens and flower boxes, currently many visitors are opting for the heated tasting tent in back.  The tent provides a gorgeous view of the vineyards and of a ridge of pines behind them, and that is where  I enjoyed tasting six pinots poured into stemless Riedel globes.  Most had bright fruity notes as well as the earthiness that I favor in this varietal, and the color of these wines was especially marvelous in the bright sunlight.  I learned that the general heat of the day here in the Anderson Valley is usually followed by a cooling fog that rolls in in the evening--providing the perfect conditions for a good Pinot Noir.  My favorite of the group was the 2018 Goldeneye Pinot from The Narrows Vineyard, which was described as having boysenberry, pine needle, and wild truffle notes, as well as an earthy mushroom finish.  Divine, indeed!  An accompanying snack of truffled popcorn and San Juaquin Gold cows’ cheese enhanced the experience.  Duckhorn Wine Company is the parent company of this and several other West Coast wine brands.  Each has a separate tasting room.  

flower boxes at Goldeneye Winery tasting room in Philo, California

tasting room greeting table at Goldeneye Winery tasting room in Philo, California

tasting samples of Pinot Noirs at Goldeneye Winery tasting room
in Philo, California

tasting samples of Pinot Noirs at Goldeneye Winery tasting room
in Philo, California

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images ©2021 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Philo: Balo Vineyards; things to do

101 North

Balo Vineyards  

9001 Hwy 128, in Philo, (707) 895-3655.  Daily 11-5.  Free tasting.  Dogs ok. 

This dog-friendly tasting room provides an enclosed, shaded, outdoor recreation area for your pooch.  With a nod to the fact the biodynamic-farmed Balo Vineyards winery is on a former sheep farm, the owners named it after the Latin word for the bleating sound a sheep makes.  I tasted a 2013 Riesling with no residual sugar and a 2012 Pinot Noir that was bright mid-palate.  After tasting and selecting your favorite, you can purchase a bottle and enjoy right on the spot in a picnic area with shaded tables.  Two competition grade Bocce courts are also available.

Balo Vineyards in Philo, California

bocce court at Balo Vineyards in Philo, California

tasting room at Balo Vineyards in Philo, California

wine bottle at Balo Vineyards in Philo, California

More things to do in Philo.

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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Philo: The Madrones; hotel review + things to do

101 North

The Madrones  

9000 Hwy. 128, in Philo, (707) 895-2955.  9 rooms.  Pets ok in 2 rooms.  Unsuitable for children except in specific units.  

Opened in 2010, this spacious property is located just outside of the teeny town of Philo.  Set amid vineyards, oaks, and rolling hillsides, The Madrones features Mediterranean-style buildings, serene courtyards, and well maintained English gardens.  

entry to The Madrones in Philo, California

A mature rose garden, a dove cage with various types of these sweet birds (including bleeding heart, tiger, and French mourning), and a koi pond with some very big mature fish are on the perimeter of a large grassy central lawn with Adirondack chairs for relaxing.  Guests check in at Bohemian Hall, which also acts as a lobby.  

lobby at The Madrones in Philo, California

Each guest room is unique.  Four rooms are on the second floor at the front of the complex; farther back in the property, are five more that were part of the owner’s original home.  

exterior of guest room at The Madrones in Philo, California

In The Kitchen, where I stayed, antiques and distressed furniture are part of the attractive eclectic mix.  The room has a nice carved-oak dresser and a charming refinished antique wood hospital bed tray that we used as a breakfast table.  I especially liked a pentagon window that is located high up near the ceiling and provides a view of the treetops and sky.  The radiant Brazilian cherry hardwood floors are pretty nice, too.   

The Kitchen guest room at The Madrones in Philo, California

Nights are silent.  For dinner, plan to pick up take-out while passing through nearby Boonville, or return there later to one of several good restaurants.  A simple breakfast is provided in room--coffee and dry cereal, plus yogurt and milk and a bit more in the mini fridge.  

Stone and Embers

At the front of the property and under separate ownership, casual Stone and Embers dishes up seasonal soups and salads using local produce, and artisan pizzas and meats are prepared by the chef using only a wood-fired oven. 

Indian Creek Park 

is just next door, where you can take a short walk in the redwoods and perhaps enjoy a dip in the river.  Directly across the highway is Balo Vineyards, where you can picnic, do a complimentary wine tasting, and play bocce ball.  On property, guests get complimentary tasting of fine handcrafted and small-lot wines from the Anderson Valley region in four winery tasting rooms:

●Bink Wines  

In the Bink Wines tasting room--after walking around a big but non-threatening dog sprawled on the floor--we sampled a 2013 Old Chatham Ranch Sauvignon Blanc that is described as going “well in the shade on a summer day,” and a 2012 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir with “a wonderful nose and nice long finish.”  We purchased the first one to enjoy with dinner that night.  Cheeses, salami, olives, and crackers are available for purchase to pair with the wines.  This winery is woman-owned and –operated.

tasting room at Bink Wines at The Madrones in Philo, California

●Drew Family Cellars  

Pinot Noirs and Syrahs from vineyards at Northern California’s far coastal edge are the pleasures tasted here at Drew Family Cellars.  A 2013 Fog-Eater Pinot Noir--named in honor of locals who are referred to as “fog eaters” in the local Bootling language--goes down easy.
 

●Knez Winery  

At Knez Winery you can taste Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that truly embody the unique terroir of Anderson Valley.
 

●Signal Ridge  

This winery’s Mendocino Ridge vineyard was planted in 1999 atop Cold Spring Mountain overlooking both the Anderson Valley and the coast.  At 2,642 feet, it is the highest elevation vineyard in Mendocino County.  Signal Ridge invites you to “come visit us soon and see what altitude tastes like!”


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images ©2015 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Philo: Phillips Hill Winery; things to do

101 North

Phillips Hill Winery  

5101 Hwy. 128, in Philo, (707) 895-2209.  Tasting daily 10:30-5.  Tasting $5.

tasting room at Phillips Hill Winery in Philo, California

Situated in a rustic old building that was once used for drying apples, the open-air Phillips Hill Winery tasting room under which a stream cheerily meanders is delightful in warm weather.  I enjoyed tasting a creamy, smooth, un-oaky 2013 Ridley Vineyard Chardonnay; an aromatic, dry 2013 Gewurztraminer from the adjacent Valley Foothills Vineyard; and a soft 2012 Valenti Vineyard Pinot Noir.  Attractive label art, designed by owner Toby Hill, makes this luscious wine even more special.  Plan ahead and bring a lunch to enjoy in a picnic area under a gigantic weeping willow.  Optionally, a plate of French cheeses and charcuterie is usually available for purchase in summer, and if you are here at the right time you can pick a pear or apple for dessert right off one of the trees.  In winter, tasting moves indoors and upstairs.

Aroma Shed at Phillips Hill Winery in Philo, California

Be sure to visit the Aroma Shed to sniff wine descriptors and the former fruit stand to purchase wine jams imported from France.  The actual wine-making facility is located on Mendocino Ridge.

vintage apple dryer at Phillips Hill Winery in Philo, California

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images ©2014 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Philo: The Apple Farm; things to do

101 North

The Apple Farm  

18501 Greenwood Rd., in Philo, (707) 895-2461.  Fruit stand:  Daily 9-5; later in summer & fall. 

One part of The Apple Farm enterprise is a 30-acre certified organic farm with more than 80 varieties of apples ripening at different times from August through October.  The bounty and related products are sold at the property’s Farm Stand. 

The other part is a cooking school operated by the original proprietors of the highly acclaimed French Laundry restaurant in Yountville.  The school strives to simplify everyday cooking and to get participants back in their kitchens preparing daily meals and enjoying it.  On Farm Weekends everyone gets hands-on experience, preparing and consuming Friday dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner, and Sunday brunch.  According to owner Sally Schmitt, it is “like a house party with some cooking lessons thrown in.”  Students learn to use what is already in their garden and pantry and also learn to use the best ingredients while doing the least possible to them.  Participants get 3 hours off on Saturday afternoon to hike, bike, or visit local wineries on their own.  One guest room and three cabins are available on the premises.


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image courtesy of venue

Philo: Handley Cellars; things to do

101 North

Handley Cellars  

3151 Hwy. 128, in Philo, (800) 733-3151, (707) 895-3876.  Tasting daily 10-6 May-Oct, 10-5 Nov-Apr; tours by appt. 

After a FREE! sampling of wines, allow time to peruse the unusual collection of international folk art displayed at Handley Cellars—most especially the carved elephant chairs and table from northern Thailand.  An adjacent shaded sculpture garden with tables is the perfect spot for a picnic enhanced by one of the winery’s tasty Pinot Noirs.


More things to do in Philo.

Things to do in nearby Boonville.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

image ©2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers