Family-run, estate-grown wineries have become increasingly rare across America. Women-owned wineries are rarer still. Add organic growing techniques dating back to 1955 into the blend, and you can see why discovering Barra of Mendocino feels extraordinary. Located in bucolic Redwood Valley, Barra of Mendocino offers visitors an exceptional opportunity to explore a boutique winery pioneer that is offering quality-driven wines that are both approachable and easy on the pocketbook.
“Chances are you’ll run into us during your visit,” says proprietor Martha Barra. “You’ll also learn that the wine you’re tasting is sourced from the grapes you see right outside the door. When we can, we love taking you into the vineyard to identify the different grape varietals and explain our growing process.”
Hidden Gem Barra of Mendocino Pioneers Organic Wine Growing
The cool climate and nutrient-rich soils here allow grapes to ripen slowly, producing rich flavors we associate with the finest Pinot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet varietals.
The Barra family — Martha Barra, son Shawn Harmon and daughter Shelley Maly — farm three organic vineyards totaling 350 acres near the headwaters of the fabled Russian River. The cool climate and nutrient-rich soils here allow grapes to ripen slowly, producing rich flavors we associate with the finest Pinot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet varietals.
“We are so fortunate to have full control of the entire wine process from the field all the way through to the bottle,” says Martha.
The 2021 Barra Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon won a Double Gold Medal and Best of Class: Packaging and Design at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The 2022 Barra Reserve Pinot Noir, 2021 Barra Reserve Petite Sirah, 2022 Girasole Vineyards Pinot Blanc and 2021 Girasole Vineyards Charlie’s Blend each received Gold Medals. The 2022 Barra Reserve Chardonnay was awarded a Silver Medal.
SHOP AWARD-WINNING WINES
2021 Barra Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
2022 Barra Reserve Pinot Noir
2021 Barra Reserve Petite Sirah
2022 Girasole Vineyards Pinot Blanc
2021 Girasole Vineyards Charlie’s Blend
“We don’t have to be trend-chasers,” says Martha. “We can stay true to our roots in terms of making wines that we are extremely proud of without compromising on quality to cut corners.”
The prestigious judges of the SF Chron Wine Comp are not alone in their admiration for the Barra Pinot Noir and Girasole Vineyard Pinot Blanc. Winemaker Randy Meyer lists both vintages as his current favorite bottles. A UC Davis graduate, Meyer joined the Barra family as Director of Winemaking and Operations in 2019 after an esteemed two-decade career at F. Korbel & Brothers.
Like touring the adjacent vineyards with Martha or a Barra tasting room staff member, Randy is always happy to discuss his winemaking process with winery guests. If this casual conviviality seems far from being hustled in and out of one tasting room after another elsewhere, more a sprint than a sojourn, the lowkey vibe here is quite intentional.
Says Martha, “If you’re the type of wine-lover or wine novice who likes to discover those unique, hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path experiences, you should definitely seek out inland Mendocino County.”
You don’t need to navigate switchbacks between the foothills and the coast. The Barra of Mendocino Tasting Room and Event Center is located directly off Highway 101, about one hour north of Santa Rosa.
And what a tasting room you’ll find. The wooden and exposed beam structure was designed to resemble an inverted champagne glass when it used to be the home of Weibel Champagne Cellars in the mid-70s. The ceiling rises 40 feet above a circular bar and indoor fountain. The expansive 5,000-square-foot indoor space coupled with sprawling gardens is an ideal location for weddings and private or corporate events. Always check the website for popular public events, too.
Our guests enjoy the luxury of an exclusive experience with friendly, knowledgeable staff.
— Martha Barra, Proprietor
“Our guests enjoy the luxury of an exclusive experience with friendly, knowledgeable staff,” says Martha. “We also welcome families and their pets and our blooming gardens and picnic tables make for an inviting afternoon of wine tasting.”
Farming comes naturally to the Barra family, who’ve worked in this soil since the early 20th century. The parents of Martha’s husband, Charlie Barra, who passed away in 2019, worked in the vineyards of Italy in the 1800s before immigrating to America.
Considered the OGs of organic grape growing, Martha and Charlie long favored traditional, non-chemical vineyard management, using organic cover crops like clover and peas, hoeing unwanted grass from beneath the vines, and crafting cement stakes in lieu of creosote-soaked wood posts. Teeming with farm animals and wildlife including alpacas, chickens, wild turkeys, and blue herons, the vineyards are surrounded by pristine rainwater-fed reservoirs that aid in frost protection in the spring and drought protection during the summer months.
“Our wines are also vegan,” says Martha. “People are sometimes surprised to learn that animal products are often used during the winemaking process, but our winemaker follows vegan-friendly protocols so that we can avoid their use.”
In 2022, Martha was honored by Representatives Jared Huffman and Mike Thompson with a U.S. Congressional Resolution in recognition of “her lifetime of work building the Barra family wine business of Mendocino County into an industry leader in sustainable, organic wine production.”
Follow Barra of Mendocino on social media (#barraofmendocino #girasolvevineyards) to learn about the winery’s illuminating eco-friendly agriculture and see images and videos from day-to-day operations and special events like the popular Grab a Bite Night, which resumes in June.
Visiting Barra of Mendocino enhances any getaway to inland Mendocino County. From riding The Skunk Train to strolling beside ferns and beneath stately redwoods in Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve, the greater Redwood Valley abounds with activities for families, couples, and individuals. Visitors will also discover plenty of lodging and dining options for more extended stays.
“You’ll also find many other small, family-owned wineries along Highway 101,” says Martha. “We all offer unique varietals coupled with captivating stories. And you won’t find any lines or reservation requirements.”
How often have you returned from a wine-tasting excursion only to discover your friends and family have “been there – done that?” Journey a couple of hours north of San Francisco, however, and you’ll find adventures you can’t wait to share, like touring an award-winning, woman-owned winery with an organic farming pioneer. Visit the Barra of Mendocino website to learn more about the wine club, purchases, visits, and events.
PLAN YOUR VISITTO Our Tasting Room
Set on 50 acres of organic vineyards planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, the tasting room is an architectural phenomenon that dates back to the 1970’s.
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