Hopland Spring Passport 2013 - The Tradition Continues



Stunning view from Nelson Family Vineyards



Oh, great joy and jubilation!  It is time for one of my favorite festivals of the year: the Hopland Passport!

Hopland is located on the 101 Corridor in Mendocino County known for its beautifully-crafted wines, breath-taking vistas and liberal values (the kind you can smoke for medicinal purposes.) The Passport takes place every spring and fall and this is the 22nd Annual Spring Passport. Thousands of wine-lovers attend this festival for the great wine, food and live entertainment that each winery showcases. There is bubbly and oysters at Rack and Riddle, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon at McNab Ridge, beautiful white Rhones at Campovida, Italian varietals at Graziano, and the wide range of award-winning wines made by McFadden Family Farm including Mendocino County's top awarded Chardonnay (Double Gold) and the nation's best Late Harvest Riesling (Best Of Class) from the 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. McFadden isn't just a winery or a vineyard, but a bio-diverse, certified organic, family farm, and will grill McFadden Farm grass fed beef to pair with amazing wines. Did somebody say "Tri-tip?" Also on the menu: McFadden Farm Wild Rice served in a wild rice and artichoke heart salad, and a green salad, all seasoned with McFadden Farm herbs and herb blends; again, all organically grown. Guinness McFadden will also be on hand, signing bottles of his wine on request. Personally I cannot wait to taste those winning wines nor can I wait to taste the grass-fed beef also raised by McFadden Farms. For a list of all 17 participating wineries go here: Hopland Passport

The Passport takes place May 4th and 5th and here is the link to buy your tickets but be sure to buy before noon, May 2nd afterwhich prices increase from $45 to $55. Tickets

For you more spontaneous types you can buy your tickets the day of the festival from any winery for $55.



Visit the Hopland Apothecary, if you need to.



Only in Mendocino. Brutocao even served tater tots with their Spamalicious Pizza and wide variety of wines.

One of my favorite pairings from years past: Marzipan tartlette with Nelson Family Viognier. What makes it even better is eating it in their Redwood Grove along with their wood-fired pizzas.

Award-winning winemaker and cattleman Guiness McFadden with a couple of groupies...

See you in Hopland!