Meyer Family Cellars
Description
Meyer Family Cellars is a family-owned winery located in the picturesque Anderson Valley of Mendocino County, California. Established in 1987 by the Meyer family, this small-scale winery is known for its handcrafted, limited-production wines that showcase the unique characteristics of the region.
The vineyards of Meyer Family Cellars are situated on the slopes of the rugged Mendocino Coast, where cool maritime influences and well-drained soils create ideal conditions for grape cultivation. With a focus on sustainable practices, the winery carefully tends to their vineyards, allowing the grapes to fully express their terroir. The cool climate grapes, including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, benefit from the foggy mornings and warm afternoons, developing vibrant flavors and balanced acidity.
Meyer Family Cellars takes great pride in their meticulous winemaking process. With a philosophy of minimal intervention, the winery allows the grapes to naturally ferment using native yeasts. This gentle approach results in wines that authentically reflect the qualities of the land and the fruit. The wines of Meyer Family Cellars are known for their elegance, complexity, and purity, showcasing the delicate nuances of aromas and flavors.
Visiting Meyer Family Cellars is a delightful experience for wine enthusiasts. The winery offers a warm and inviting tasting room, where guests can sample a selection of their handcrafted wines while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are always eager to share the stories behind the wines, offering a personal touch that enhances the overall visit.
Meyer Family Cellars has gained recognition for its commitment to quality winemaking, consistently producing wines that receive high praise and accolades from wine critics and enthusiasts alike. Whether you are a seasoned wine connoisseur or simply enjoy exploring new flavors, Meyer Family Cellars is a winery worth exploring, offering a taste of the exceptional wines that the Anderson Valley has to offer.
What Makes Meyer Family Cellars
Different From Other Nearby Wineries?
Meyer Family Cellars stands out among other wineries in the region due to its unique combination of tradition, innovation, and commitment to quality winemaking. Here are several factors that set Meyer Family Cellars apart:
1. Family-owned and operated: Meyer Family Cellars is a true family affair, with three generations working together to create exceptional wines. This dedication and personal touch translate into a deep passion for winemaking and a strong sense of heritage that is reflected in the wines produced.
2. Sustainable and organic practices: The winery is committed to sustainable farming methods and was certified organic in 1998, long before it became a popular trend in the industry. The vineyards are managed with great care, emphasizing biodiversity and preserving the health of the land for future generations.
3. Emphasis on single-vineyard wines: Meyer Family Cellars places a special emphasis on crafting wines from single-vineyard sites, allowing them to highlight the unique characteristics and terroir of each location. This approach results in diverse and expressive wines that truly showcase the distinctiveness of the region.
4. Artisan winemaking techniques: The winery employs traditional and artisan winemaking techniques alongside modern technology to ensure the highest quality in their wines. From hand-sorting grapes to barrel selection and extended aging, each step in the winemaking process is carefully executed with great attention to detail.
5. Limited production and handcrafted wines: Meyer Family Cellars focuses on small production, allowing them to maintain meticulous control over the entire winemaking process. This attention to detail results in limited-release wines that are considered true expressions of the varietals and vineyards they come from.
6. Commitment to quality and consistency: The winery's commitment to producing wines of exceptional quality has earned them numerous accolades and recognition both locally and internationally. Meyer Family Cellars consistently strives to improve and learn with each vintage, ensuring that every bottle maintains a consistent level of excellence.
7. Inviting tasting room experience: Visiting the Meyer Family Cellars tasting room is an experience in itself. Located amidst the breathtaking vineyards, the tasting room offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere where visitors can learn about the winemaking process, sample a variety of wines, and connect with the Meyer family.
In summary, Meyer Family Cellars stands out as a winery that embraces tradition, sustainability, and quality in every aspect of their winemaking. Their commitment to single-vineyard wines, artisan techniques, and a family-driven approach creates a unique and memorable experience for wine enthusiasts.
What Some Possible Concerns About Meyer Family Cellars
?
While Meyer Family Cellars has generally garnered positive feedback, there have been a few criticisms raised by some visitors. Some of the things people didn't like about the winery include:
1. Limited selection: Some visitors have mentioned that the winery's wine selection is more limited compared to other wineries in the area. This can be a disappointment for those seeking a wider variety of wines to taste.
2. Inconsistent service: There have been occasional complaints about the quality of service at Meyer Family Cellars. Some visitors have noted instances of slow service or staff members not being as knowledgeable about the wines as expected.
3. Tasting fees: A few visitors have expressed dissatisfaction with the tasting fees at the winery. Some have felt that the price for the tasting experience is relatively high compared to the value provided.
4. Lack of tour options: While Meyer Family Cellars offers wine tastings, some visitors have mentioned that they would have liked the option of a guided tour to learn more about the winemaking process and the vineyards.
It's important to note that these criticisms represent the perspectives of a minority of visitors, and many others have had enjoyable experiences at Meyer Family Cellars.
Meyer Family Cellars
History
Meyer Family Cellars is an esteemed winery located in Yorkville Highlands, California. Founded in 1987 by winemaker Justin Meyer and his wife Bonny Meyer, the winery aims to produce exceptional wines that truly embody the unique terroir of the region.
The roots of Meyer Family Cellars can be traced back to the year 1970 when Justin Meyer, already renowned for his work at the iconic winery, Silver Oak Cellars, embarked on a new winemaking journey. Driven by an unwavering passion for crafting wines of exceptional quality, Justin and Bonny Meyer sought out the ideal location to establish their winery. After an extensive search, they stumbled upon a charming property nestled in the heart of Yorkville Highlands, known for its picturesque landscapes and a climate perfectly suited for grape cultivation.
The Meyers recognized the tremendous potential of the land and decided this was the perfect place to realize their winemaking dream. They acquired the estate and began their journey, combining Justin's expertise and winemaking techniques with their shared commitment to sustainable practices.
From the outset, Meyer Family Cellars set out to focus on producing small lots of artisanal wines that truly reflected their unique vineyard sites. The winery meticulously selected only the finest grape varietals, skillfully sourcing from their own estate vineyards as well as other top-quality vineyards in Mendocino and other renowned wine regions in California.
Over the years, Meyer Family Cellars gained a reputation for handcrafted wines of exceptional quality that beautifully showcased the expression of the grapes and the terroir they were rooted in. Their commitment to sustainable farming practices further solidified their position as an environmentally-conscious winery.
Meyer Family Cellars became well-known for its signature Cabernet Sauvignon, a bold red wine crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Justin Meyer's expertise in blending different grape varietals led to the creation of a distinctive Bordeaux-style blend, which quickly became a hallmark of the winery. Additionally, the winery also produced other varietals like Chardonnay, Syrah, and Pinot Noir, all characterized by their elegance, balance, and depth of flavor.
The Meyer family's unwavering dedication to their craft and the pursuit of excellence has received recognition and accolades from wine enthusiasts and critics alike. Their wines have consistently garnered high scores and praise for their quality, showcasing the Meyer family's passion for winemaking and their deep respect for the land.
In 2002, Justin Meyer sadly passed away, but his legacy continues to thrive through the efforts of his wife Bonny, who took over the winery's operations. Bonny Meyer's unwavering commitment to quality and sustainable practices has ensured that Meyer Family Cellars continues to produce outstanding wines that honor Justin's vision.
Today, Meyer Family Cellars stands as a testament to the values and dedication of the Meyer family. With each vintage, the winery strives to craft wines that reflect the land, the climate, and the passion of the people behind them. Visitors to the winery are welcomed into an inviting and warm environment, where they can experience the Meyers' commitment to hospitality and taste these exceptional wines that truly showcase the essence of the Yorkville Highlands.
Meyer Family Cellars remains a beloved and respected member of the California winemaking community, continuing to produce exceptional wines that are a true reflection of the family's unwavering dedication to their craft.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel