Page 119 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021 DISCOVERING MENDOCINO

PACIFIC STAR WINERY

We didn’t find rolling vineyards at Pacific
Star Winery, but we discovered a winery on
one of the world’s most spectacular sites. No
wonder it’s the most popular wine tasting
venue on the Mendocino coast.
Twelve miles north of Fort Bragg, Pacific Star
Winery proudly sits on a bluff next to a cliff
that shelters it from ocean storms. Seated at
socially distanced picnic benches outside, we
tasted wines and marveled at glorious views of
the craggy coastline being pelted by thunder-
ous waves and whistling winds. Whale sight-
ings are common year-round, we learned.
A Fort Bragg native, owner, and winemaker
Sally Otterson opened this destination winery
in the late 1980s after two decades in Napa’s
wine country. From her home above the rustic
redwood and stone winery, she sources grapes
from around the country for fifteen food-
friendly wines she makes. A rare Old World
grape, Charbono, is the heart of her offerings,
she says, calling it “a sit down and drink me
wine.”
Our excellent server offered us tastes of the
winery’s reds that range from Sangiovese,
Tempranillo, Petite Sirah, Barbera, and Carig-
nan. Whites included Pinot Gris and Viognier.
Our favorite was a Claret called Dad’s Daily
Red, a tribute to Fred, the owner’s late father.
It was a bold blend of old vine Carignane and
Petite Sirah blended with the rare Charbono
and hearty Zinfandel.
The pandemic stopped Pacific Star’s popular
tastings around a bonfire built above the cliffs.
Wine, warmth, and views equal a magic time,
one we longed for on this chilly day — not even
full-bodied reds could counter. Little did we
realize then that in a few days we would expe-
rience magic just a mile south at the Inn at
Newport Ranch.

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