Hopland is happening.
Downtown tasting rooms welcome walk-ins and boast affordable fees, and are happy to share their wines with anyone they have the capacity to serve.
Low Tasting Fees
Tasting fees at downtown Hopland tasting rooms range from $5 to $25, with most ranging between $5 (McNab Family Vineyards) and $15. When was the last time you saw a $5 or $10 tasting fee?
Wine tasting experiences at the vineyards/winery estates are also very inexpensive, ranging from $10-$45, depending on the experience. A seated tasting at Saracina Vineyards, for example, costs only $15, while a gourmet picnic and tasting experience costs $45.
At Alta Orsa Vineyards (perched on a hillside, and offering fantastic views), visitors can enjoy complimentary tastings in the cellar or under the trees and a tour of the vineyards with either the winemaker, Martin, or his one employee.
The Dining Options Are Better Than Ever
On my most recent trip, I was pleased to find some great dining options in Hopland, including a couple of new-to-me restaurants: Stock Farm and Rockseas.
Stock Farm
Serving up fantastic wood fired pizzas, small plates, sandwiches and salads made with fresh, local ingredients, Stock Farm is a welcome addition to downtown Hopland. The restaurant here is open for lunch and dinner and is connected to the Thatcher Hotel. The building and complex house Stock Farm, Campovida’s new tasting room, the bar at the Thatcher Hotel (think elegant craft cocktails) and Café Poppy.
The Golden Pig
While the front restaurant is only open for dinner, The Golden Pig also has a more casual space and a patio in the back that is open for lunch, as well as a walk-in area where diners can pick up items from the bakery and cafe to-go. From burgers made with locally raised and sustainable meat, to salads made with veggies grown on the restaurant’s organic farm, The Golden Pig offers casual and filling yet sophisticated food made with high quality, locally sourced ingredients.
Rock Seas
Self-described as “low country farm-fusion fare,” Rock Seas is a local favorite. Re-opened as of August and open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday, Rock Seas focuses on comfort food and classic dishes elevated with high quality, locally sourced ingredients. Examples include caesar salad with fresh white anchovies, macaroni and cheese with crawfish, and grits with pork from locally and sustainably raised pigs. The restaurant doesn’t currently have a working website and isn’t on Open Table, so I recommend calling to make a reservation, 707-670-6054.
The Wines Are Better Than Ever
If what you envision when you think of Hopland are ripe, oaky and powerful or rustic reds, think again. There are plenty of well balanced, fresh and elegant red wines, as well as bright, fresh and aromatic whites and rose wines.
Some highlights for me were the Malbec (fresh, structured and elegant) at Saracina, the high toned, fruit-driven, elegant and surprising red Italian varietal wines (Nero d’avola, Negroamaro and Sangiovese) at Campovida, the hillside vineyard wines at Alta Orsa and the ever so quaffable (and ridiculously affordable) wines at McNab.
