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Mendocino, California, Crab & Wine Days

Although this article is about the event in 2001, the event is held annually, from late December to late February:
2009 will be the 10th Annual Mendocino Crab and Wine Days

Mendocino County is proud to celebrate two of its products, wine & crab. Join one of the lovely inns and restaurants and feast at every meal. Educational events, crab cruises, train ride, & cooking classes are also featured during the weeklong celebration. Call one of the inns below for their low winter lodging rates and package prices.


Lodging
Also See Restaurants
*also have restaurants

Agate Cove Inn 937-0551
11201 Lansing Street, Mendocino
Great Country breakfasts; ocean view rooms

*Albion River Inn 937-1919
3790 N. Highway 1, Albion
In addition to the Thursday, February 3, multi-course Scharffenberger Cellars
winemaker dinner, Chef Stephen Smith will be preparing one of his favorite
crab dishes as an appetizer: Steamed Dungeness Crab Dumplings with nappa
cabbage and ginger, served with a lemongrass dressing and cilantro-lime sauce.
Recipe for Stephen Smith’s Dungeness Crab Dumplings included.

Avalon House 964-5555, 800-964-5556
561 Stewart Street, Fort Bragg
Crab inspired breakfasts in lovely six-room inn

The Country Inn Bed & Breakfast 964-3737
632 North Main Street, Fort Bragg
Crab appetizers & wine in evenings for guests

*DeHaven Valley Farm 961-1660
39247 North Highway 1, Westport
North of Fort Bragg by the ocean, dinners too

Elk Cove Inn 877-3321
6300 South Highway 101
Each evening complimentary crab appetizers will be available at the bar with
the purchase of a glass or bottle of Anderson Valley wine. For guests,
breakfasts will feature such crab dishes as crab omelets and quiches. 14-room
inn overlooking the Pacific.

Fensalden Inn 937-4042
33810 Navarro Ridge Road, Albion
Fensalden means "Land of the Sea & the Mist" and is an historic former
stagecoach stop. Now an eight-room bed and breakfast inn, Fensalden is located
in a pastoral setting on 20 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean. One of the
suites is the Hawthorne, named for the owner’s great, great grandfather,
Nathaniel. His portrait hangs above the sitting room fireplace. Among the
inn’s antique furnishings is Hawthorne’s writing table along with many of his books.
Offering special room packages with Rumblefish crab cruises & other amenities.

Grey Whale Inn 964-0640 (800)382-7244
615 North Main Street, Fort Bragg
Central Fort Bragg location in former town hospital and the matriarch of Fort
Bragg Bed & Breakfast inns. Will be featuring crab in dishes served all week
to guests. On Friday, February 4, Grey Whale Inn hosts an art exhibit &
opening with five local women artists including Yvette Schnaubelt, Maureen
Peterson, Claudia Ellis and Mary Ellen Blume. The lead artist Schnaubelt was
born at the Grey Whale Inn and also gave birth to her three children here. She
is the owner of Sea Pal, a smoked fish purveyor on the dock in Noyo Harbor, at
the berth of Rumblefish. Crab puffs and local wine will be served. A Mendocino
Landmark since 1915. stay@greywhaleinn.com www.greywhaleinn.com

Griffin House Bed & Breakfast 877-3422
5910 South Highway 1, Elk
Cozy cottages in Elk, wood stoves & ocean views; serving Crab & Swiss omelets
to guests for breakfast. Sunday & Monday, January 30 & 31, 6-9 p.m. Cracked &
marinated crab and cioppino dinners Mat Bridget Dolan’s Pub.

Harbor Lite Lodge 964-0221
120 North Harbor Drive, Fort Bragg
Spacious rooms with views overlooking Noyo Harbor.

Hay Loft 800-942-6300
Jim Hay’s 1-bedroom vacation rental 1 1/2 miles north of Mendocino.

*Highland Ranch Inn 895-3600
18941 Philo Greenwood Road, Philo
Secluded cabins above Anderson Valley; horseback riding, wine tasting; full
breakfasts and country dinners included.


*Hill House Inn 937-0554
10701 Palette Drive, Mendocino
Super Bowl Crab Feed, Jan. 30, Mendocino, seafood crepes & other crab
specials daily in Ocean View Restaurant.

Inn at Schoolhouse Creek 800-731-5525
7051 North Highway 1, Mendocino
Saturday wine and appetizer events $5; Daily crab Appetizer Hour with
Bonterra, Husch & Fetzer wines for guests. Every night at Crab Appetizer Hour,
the guests will be invited to participate in writing a group "the biggest crab
or the one that got away" crab story or poem. Then at the end of Crab & Wine
Days, the staff will judge the stories and select their favorite. Everyone who
participates in the story writing gets an automatic 10% off their next stay
and the winning team gets a fresh crab delivered to their door.


J. D. House 937-5266
571 Ukiah, Street, Mendocino
Fundraiser breakfast with special guest chefs on Wednesday, Feb. 2. Salt box
Victorian in the village with lovely English garden.

Joshua Grindle Inn 937-4143; 1-800-GRINDLE
44800 Little Lake Road, Mendocino
Sumptuous breakfasts, Mendocino wines, elegant rooms in central Mendocino
village location. The Inn will offer evening appetizers of Spicy Goat Cheese Crab
Puffs with Husch Mendocino Chardonnay. www.joshgrin.com

*Little River Inn and Ole’s Whale Watch Bar & Crab Shack 937-5942;
1-888-466-5683
7751 North Highway 1, Little River

*Wine tasting & Cooking Demonstration: Saturday, Jan. 29. Noon-3:00 p.m. Chef
Silver Canul will demonstrate some of his favorite crab recipes. There will be
winetasting of Husch wines and sampling of Chef Silver’s delicious crab
dishes. Recipes for Ole’s Hot Crab Spread, Dungeness Crab Cakes, and Western
Crab Omelette included. Ole’s Swedish Crab Crepes with Champagne or Chardonnay
Sauce available by request.

*Husch Winery tour, Tasting and Crab Appetizers, Sunday, Jan. 30, 11:00-3:00.
Wine & Crab enthusiasts can travel to Anderson Valley to visit one of the
first Valley wineries--Husch Vineyards. The rustic setting is the perfect
setting to enjoy a barrel tasting of Husch Wines and to sample Little River
Inn chef Silver’s Crab Appetizers.

*Super Bowl Sunday, Jan. 30. Little River Inn’s Football Fan Bartender--Sue
Bondoux--will be leading the pack of football fans to cheer on the Super Bowl
teams. Large Screen TV and Crab Rolls in Ole’s Whale Watch Bar & Crab Shack.
*Crabbiest Person Contest: Enter our Crabbiest Person Contest and win a
fabulous stay at the Little River Inn. In 100 words or less tell us about the
Crabbiest Person you’ve ever met. The contest ends Saturday, Feb. 5, 2000. Be
sure to include your name, address and telephone number. You may enter by . .
.
Faxing your entry to: Little River Inn "Crabbiest Contest" 707-937-3944.
Mailing your entry to: Little River Inn, Attention "Crabbiest Contest", P.O.
Box B, Little River, CA 9 5456
E-mailing your entry to: lri@mcn.org
The winner will be chosen by Drawing to receive:
Two nights stay at Little River Inn
in a luxurious Jacuzzi & fireplace room with
King bed, Ocean view, deck
PLUS
Breakfast for two at Little River Inn
Dinner for Two at Little River Inn
One Round of Golf (9 holes) for Two, with cart
A special "Pampering Package" from the Third Court Salon & Day Spa
(This special award expires at the end of 2000 and is not valid during holiday
periods)

*Crabbiest Rate Around! During the first annual Mendocino Crab & Wine Days,
January 28 through February 5, 2000, Little River Inn is offering the
"Crabbiest Rate" around! Call out toll-free reservation line 1-888-466-5683
and ask the reservationist for "The Crabbiest Rate."
* Ole’s Whale Watch Bar & Crab Shack: During Mendocino Crab & Wine Days, the
bar and restaurant at Little River Inn will be transformed into : Ole’s Whale
Watch Bar & Crab Shack--featuring daily crab delicacies, Pirate’s Grog and Sea
Chanty Tunes! Chef Silver Canul will offer his world-famous crab cakes and
delicious crab bisque, as well as Daily Specials. Call 707-937-5942 to make
dinner reservations.

Lodge at Noyo River 800-628-1126
500 Casa del Noyo Drive, Noyo Harbor, Fort Bragg
Beautiful restored inn with packages with crab cruises, cooking class, Skunk
Train AT NOYO HARBOR.


*Mendocino Hotel 935-0511
45080 Main Street, Mendocino
Landmark Mendocino village hotel on National Register of Historic Places. High
Victorian and country garden dining rooms, with rooms in elegantly restored
hotel and contemporary suites in the garden.
Winemaker dinner with McDowell Valley Vineyards on Thursday, Feb. 3. Crab
menu all week in restaurant. Recipe for Mendocino Hotel Crab Pasta Salad from
chef Colleen Murphy included.


*Old Milano Hotel 884-3256
38300 South Highway 1, Gualala
Brutocao Cellars winemaker dinner, Feb. 2; historic inn & restaurant


Old Stewart House Inn 800-287-8392
511 Stewart Street, Fort Bragg
Crab appetizers with Mendocino wines in afternoon for guests

Packard House B & B 937-2677
45170 Little Lake Street, Mendocino
Crab hors d’oeuvres & wine for guests in afternoon. Packard House recipe for
Crab Balls included.

Reed Manor 937-5446
44950 Little Lake Road, Mendocino
Crab Cocktail and Fetzer wine upon arrival


Sea Rock Bed & Breakfast Inn 937-0926
Lansing Street, Mendocino
Cottages with ocean views in Mendocino

The Spires SEAESCAPE 877-3331
7426 South Highway 1, Elk
Taste a different t Mendocino wine each evening in lovely vacation rental suite

*Stevenswood Resort & Spa 937-2810
8211 North Highway 1, Little River
Prix-fixe crab menu in restaurant all week with Claudia Springs 1998 Viognier.
The menu: Dungeness Crab Consommé with Enoki Mushrooms and Lemongrass; Crab,
Ahi Tuna and Avocado Tartar with Field Greens in Black Sesame and Orange
Vinaigrette; Traditional Veal Oscar with Dungeness Crab Legs, Asparagus Tips
and Béarnaise Sauce; and for the finishing touch--Green Apple and Ginger Granité.

*Thatcher Inn 744-1890
13401 South Highway 101, Hopland
Crab Cooking Classes February 4 & 5.
Taught by Thatcher Inn owners, Don and Marlena Sacca, the hands-on culinary
experience will start at 3:00 p.m. and will end around 9:30 p.m on Friday and
Saturday. Dinner and wine tasting will be around 7:30 p.m. The demonstrations
and prepared recipes will be different each day and participants can attend
one or both days. The classes will cover techniques of working with crab and
other seafood from the cleaning stages to the table: in appetizers, salads,
soups, stews, seafood sausage, one-dish meals. Traditional Mediterranean
sauces that accompany seafood dishes will also be taught and prepared. The
wines of Fetzer, Milone and Jepson will be tasted.

Cooking Class & Room package: Rates from $174.21(one person, one class and
night) to $304.42 (two people, two nights) Includes: recipes, materials,
cooking session, instructions, dinner, full breakfast, overnight stay.
Cooking Class and Dinner only: $65.00.

Dennen's Victorian Farmhouse 937-0697
7001 North Highway 1, Little River
Saturday night, January 27th, Navarro Vineyards wine and crab hors d'oeuvres
http://www.victorianfarmhouse.com/

*Victorian Gardens 882-3606
14409 South Highway 1, Manchester
Dinner Thurs-Sun; exquisite Victorian inn 30 minutes from Mendocino village

Weller House Inn 877-893-5537
524 Stewart Street, Fort Bragg
Music & crab fun under the tent, Saturday, January 29; Inn packages available
with Crab Cruises.

Whitegate Inn 937-4892
499 Howard Street, Mendocino
Stately Victorian in the village; elegant breakfasts


Mendocino Crab & Wine Days Wineries

The following wineries will be featured throughout Crab & Wine Days at
participating restaurants.

Brutocao Cellars 744-1066
South Highway 101, Hopland
7000 Highway 128, Anderson Valley, Philo
Winemaker Dinner, Old Milano Hotel, Wednesday, Feb. 2; Tasting rooms in
Hopland and Anderson Valley open daily.

Claudia Springs Winery 895-3926
Tasting room open by appointment; Wines featured all week with Crab Menu at
Stevenswood Lodge.

Domaine St. Gregory 744-8466
13251 South Highway 1, Hopland
Hopland Tasting Room serving Mendocino Seafood Soup on Jan. 29 & 30 and
Avocado Crab Dip on Feb. 4 & 5. Winemaker dinner Tuesday, February 1, North
State Cafe, Ukiah. Recipes for Mendocino Seafood Soup and Avocado Crab Dip
included.

Fetzer Vineyards/Bonterra Wines 800-860-3347
13601 East Side Road, Hopland
Main Street, Mendocino
Winetasting January 29, Inn at Schoolhouse Creek and Victorian Farmhouse;
Mendocino &Hopland Tasting Rooms open all week; Six inn rooms also available
at Valley Oaks in Hopland.

Gabrielli Winery 485-1221
10950 West Road, Redwood Valley
Redwood Valley tasting room open 7 days. Winemaker Dinner Jan. 22, Harbor
House, Elk.

Greenwood Ridge Vineyards 895-2002
5502 Highway 128, Philo
Winemaker Dinner, Feb. 2. Rendezvous, Fort Bragg; Anderson Valley Tasting room
open daily.

Handley Cellars 895-2190
3151 Highway 128
Serving crab appetizers in tasting room; Wines featured at Ledford House
Restaurant with crab Bistro menu nightly.

Husch Vineyards 895-3216
4400 Highway 128
Wine tasting at Little River Inn-Jan 29; Winery Tour & Barrel Tasting -Jan 30;
See Little River Inn for more details

Lolonis Winery 485-7544
1905 D Road, Redwood Valley
Redwood Valley Tasting room open by appointment.; wines featured in
participating restaurants.

McDowell Valley Vineyards 744-1053
3811 Highway 175, Hopland
Winemaker dinner Mendocino Hotel, Feb 3. Winery open by appointment.

Navarro Vineyards 895-3686
5601 Highway 128
Winetasting: Schoolhouse Creek Inn & Victorian Farmhouse Saturday, February 5;
Anderson Valley tasting room open daily.

Parducci Wine Estates & Hidden Cellars 463-5350
501 Parducci Road, Ukiah
Mendocino County’s oldest winery tasting room north of Ukiah will be serving
crab appetizers all week. Winemaker dinner Tuesday, February 1, at the Fort
Bragg Grille in Fort Bragg. Cajun inspired menu and music.

Scharffenberger Cellars 895-2065
8501 Highway 128, Philo
Winemaker dinner Albion River Inn, Feb 3. Art exhibits in Anderson Valley
tasting room where you can taste all of the wines, which also go well with
crab. For example the Blanc de Blancs and nonvintage Brut are great with fresh
crab, spicy crab cakes, and Southeast Asian ginger crab purses. The Brut Rose
is a natural with crab thermidor. And Cremant goes perfectly with mangos and
crab with coconut milk.


Mendocino Crab & Wine Days
Restaurants

See Lodging for more restaurants that are in inns or hotels.
(* also have lodging)

Fort Bragg Grille 964-3663
356 North Main Street, Fort Bragg
Crab Gumbo & other Cajun delights all week. Parducci & Hidden Cellars
Winemaker Dinner, Tuesday, Feb. 1; First Friday, Feb. 4, Special crab dinner
and Cajun music.

Ledford House 937-0282
3000 North Highway 1, Albion
Economical three-course Bistro menu featuring crab and Handley Cellars wines
on menu all week.

Mendo Bistro 964-4974
301 North Main Street, Fort Bragg (upstairs in the Company Store)
"Deconstructed" crab cakes, Portuguese-style cioppino and more on menu all
week. Catering to local crowd with local food by rock and roll musician
turned chef/owner who is quite picturesque in his "jester" hat.

North State Cafe 462-3726
263 North State, Ukiah
Domaine St. Gregory Winemaker Dinner, Tuesday, February 1, 2000.

*Old Coast Hotel 961-8142
101 North Franklin Street, Fort Bragg
Crab Dishes featured Thurs-Sunday. Special art exhibit in historic hotel in
Fort Bragg. Recipe for Old Coast Famous Cioppino included.

*Rendezvous Inn & Restaurant 964-8142
Six-course winemaker dinner with Greenwood Ridge and winemaker Allan Green,
Wednesday, Feb. 2. $65.00. Menus for dinner: Dungeness Crab Bisque with
Greenwood Ridge 1997 Chardonnay; Salad of Organic Mesclun with
Grapevine-Smoked Fresh Goat Cheese & Toasted Walnuts; Spicy Crabcakes with
Jalapeno Mustard & Lime Wedges with Greenwood Ridge 1998 Sauvignon Blanc;
Granite of Grapefruit; Grilled Breast of Pheasant with sauce of local wild
chanterelles and Greenwood Ridge 1997Pinot Noir; Beggars Purse of Braised Lamb
and Smoked Ratatouille with Greenwood Ridge 1997 Merlot and 1996 Cabernet
Sauvignon; Warm Caramelized Apple Tart with Cinnamon Ice Cream Recipe for
Rendezvous Spicy Crab Cakes included.
Six comfortable Bed & Breakfast rooms at $65. Breakfast will feature such
dishes as Eggs Florentine with crab, Crab Benedict.

*The Wharf Seafood Restaurant 964-4283
32260 North Harbor Drive, Noyo Harbor, Fort Bragg
Jan. 28 Crab & Wine Days Kick-off dinner with Mendocino wines, by reservation.
Dishes to be served during Crab & Wine days include Seafood Cioppino with
Crab; Marinated Crab in House Vinaigrette; Cracked Crab; Crab Louis; Crab
Sandwiches; Crab Cocktails. Serving freshest seafood all year with view of
Noyo Harbor. Anchor Inn is right in the harbor across the street from The Wharf.

AUXILIARY ACTIVITIES

Crab Cooking & Wine Tasting Class with Heidi Cusick, food
& wine journalist. Sat. Feb. 5, 2:00 p.m. Preston Hall, Mendocino. $35.
707-462-2112.

Rumblefish Crab Cruises, daily at Noyo Harbor. Cruise includes 1 1/2 hour ride
to Mendocino Bay, crabbing demonstration and dockside cooking of fresh crab
caught on the cruise. $25. Noyo Harbor. 707-964-3000

Skunk Train & Crab Louie Extravaganza, Sat. Jan. 29, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. ride
the historic train to Camp Mendocino and dine on Crab Louie. Fort Bragg Depot.
$49.00 800-777-5865

Kelly House, Mendocino’s Historical Society salutes the Coast Fishing Industry
with exhibits to view daily. Crab & Wine Days kickoff at 6:00 p.m., Friday,
January 28. $5 Admission. Mendocino Village.

Guest House Museum, Salute to Mendocino Coast Fishing exhibit, First Friday,
February 4, 5:30 P.M. Fort Bragg. Exhibits, music, and art exhibits. More open
galleries and activities all around Fort Bragg as well.

Commercial Crabbing Demonstration with Coast Guard & Noyo Fishing Groups. 9:30
a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29 & Feb. 5. Commercial crab boats and fishermen talk
about baiting, catching, sexing & sizing crabs at the Coast Guard Station on
South Harbor Drive, Noyo Harbor. Open to the Public. Free.


GENERAL INFORMATION: MENDOCINO COAST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 1-800-726-2780
www.goMendo.com/events/crab/
707-462-7417



Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.

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