Image by Andrew Ridley on Unsplash
In November, Mendocino County is just the place to Find your Happy! Join the festivities at MUSHROOM FEAST MENDOCINO with events that will entice your tastebuds to sample savories and sweets, make you want to swish and swirl liquid assets by the glass, get you to unplug and learn to forage for fun and fungi, and stay a night or two, or more, in some of the most unique lodging properties in Northern California!
Events Include:
Hopland Research Center Harvest Celebration • 10:00AM–3:00PM
Sunday November 3
Visit the beautiful 5,350-acre campus of the University of California Hopland Research and Extension Center. Meet researchers and take part in hands on activities including mapping with drones, getting involved with acorns and hiking with the director. After your morning experience a farm to table lunch will be offered in the spectacular Rod Shippey Hall accompanied by live music and an auction of rare items and experiences! $70/person; $15/children under 16. Register online.
4070 University Rd, Hopland
707.744.1424
www.ucanr.edu
Mushroom Brunch at Pennyroyal Farm • 11:30AM
Sunday November 3
With fall’s bounty at hand, our annual Mushroom Brunch returns to celebrate seasonal farmstead ingredients with locally foraged fungi. Each course will be paired with our exceptional estate wines. Price includes wine! $85/person (21+); $72.25/Vine to Table Member.1
4930 Hwy 128, Boonville
707.895.2410
www.pennyroyalfarm.com
Farm to Table Experience at Fortunate Farm • 11:00AM–4:00PM
Sunday November 3
Enjoy a full day experience out in the fields, tour the working farm, harvest fresh produce and mushrooms (if available) and cook a delicious masterpiece with a chef to enjoy with your group. This immersive experience is an opportunity to play hands-on with farmers and chefs in a beautiful, natural setting and is an excellent choice for families, clubs or other groups looking for a fun activity combined with cooking a meal together. Minimum of 4 participants required. Wear sturdy shoes and dress in warm layers. $50/person; $20/children under 12. On site lodging available (see STAY section for options). 15401 N Hwy 1, Caspar 707.462.9149 | www.fortunatefarm.org
Anderson Valley Brewing at Cucina Verona • 6:00PM
Sunday November 3
Enjoy a five-course meal with pairings from Anderson Valley Brewing’s selections of artisan brews. $50 all inclusive.
124 E Laurel St, Fort Bragg
707.964.6844
www.cucinaverona.com
Bounty of the Season Dinner at Circa ’62 • 5:30PM & 7:30PM
Wednesday November 6
Come and savor a four-course mushroom-centric dinner at Circa ’62 to celebrate the bounty of the local mushroom season. Limited seating of 25. $65/person; wine pairing additional $25 (plus tax and gratuity).
7051 N Hwy 1, Little River
707.937.5525
www.schoolhousecreek.com
BARRA of Mendocino Winemaker Dinner at Crush • 6:00PM
Wednesday November 6
BARRA of Mendocino and Crush Italian Steakhouse join forces for a Wild Fungi Feast Winemaker Dinner featuring a five-course mushroom inspired menu paired with BARRA and Girasole wines. $75/person; $65/person for wine club members (plus tax and gratuity). Tickets are available by calling Crush. Seating is limited; reservations required.
1180 Airport Park Blvd, Ukiah
707.463.0700
www.ukiahcrush.com
Wild Fish & Yorkville Cellars Winemaker Dinner
Thursday November 7
The 7th Annual Winemaker Dinner with Yorkville Cellars is a gourmet adventure through six courses of farmed, foraged, and fermented local bounty that provides a taste of place like no other! For regulars this festive evening marks the start of the holiday season with sumptuous, imaginative courses and intimate warmth of the party. Call or reserve online!
7750 Hwy 1, Little River
707.937.3055
www.wild-fish.com
MacCallum House Restaurant Wild Mushroom & Winemaker Dinner • 6:30PM
Friday November 8
Now in its 19th year, the annual MacCallum House Restaurant Wild Mushroom & Winemaker Dinner features a seasonal menu prepared by Executive Chef Alan Kantor spotlighting the best in local mushrooms. Each course of this exquisite meal will be perfectly paired with Greg Graziano’s wine. $125/person (plus tax and gratuity).
45020 Albion St, Mendocino
707.937.0289
www.maccallumhouse.com
Little River Inn Annual Mushroom and Belgian Beer Dinner • 6:30PM
Friday November 8
Executive Chef Marc Dym creates a multi-course meal featuring a bounty of local mushrooms paired with perfectly crafted ale from Russian River Brewing Company Brewmaster Vinnie Cilurzo. Chef Dym highlights local mushrooms and serves them with Russian River brews worthy of their cult following. 7901 N Hwy 1, Little River 888.INN.LOVE | www.littleriverinn.com
Winemaker Dinner at Testa Vineyards • 6:30PM
Celebrate Mushroom Feast Mendocino with a private winemaker dinner (limit 8 people). The winemaker will pair award winning Black library wines with a wonderful Italian meal from Bella Cibo Catering. This is an evening you won’t want to miss! $100/person. 6400 N State St., Calpella
707.485.7051
www.testaranch.com
Willits Center for the Arts Opening Gala • 7:00PM–9:00PM
Friday November 8
Local artists will collaborate to create an exhibit that expresses nature and honors the theme of the almighty mushroom. Enjoy the wine reception with delicious appetizers. Be the first to see the entries for the Painted Mushroom auction to be held at the Cook-off on Saturday (see Nov. 8 listing). All proceeds from the auction go Willits Center for the Arts.
71 E Commercial St, Willits
707.459.1726
www.willitscenterforthearts.org
Hopland Hikes • 10:00AM–Noon
Saturday November 9
Take a hike through oak woodland, along Parson’s Creek and through the pastures at the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center. Learn about current research projects taking place at the center including fire recovery research and efforts to better understand the home ranges of our larger carnivores including bears and mountain lions. $10/person; $3/under 16.
4070 University Road, Hopland
707.744.1424
www.ucanr.edu
Fall Wine & Food Pairing at Pennyroyal Farm • 11:30AM
Saturday November 9
Our estate chef will craft a fall-inspired tasting menu, unique to this weekend only, featuring our newly released estate wines paired with courses made from our farmstead cheeses, meats and produce. $95/person (21+); complimentary/Vine to Table Member.
14930 Hwy 128, Boonville
707.895.2410
www.pennyroyalfarm.com
Willits Celebration & Pub Crawl 3:00PM–10:00PM
Saturday November 9
Take the trolley around town! Visit the Mendocino County Museum with its historical train exhibits. Wear your wristband from the Cook-off and receive discounts at merchants downtown. Visit pubs and restaurants for their festival specials and live music. It’s a night to explore what the heart of Mendocino County has to offer!
Downtown Willits
707.459.7910
www.willits.org
Jaxon Keys Winemaker Mushroom Dinner • 4:00PM–8:00PM
Saturday November 9
Join us for the ultimate Farm to Fork experience hosted in our brandy lounge. Our alembic pot still will be operating through dinner, affording luxurious aromas and a cozy atmosphere. Join the Feast and enjoy an incredible meal featuring Jaxon Keys wines paired with dishes that celebrate Mendocino County’s mushroom bounty!
10400 S Hwy 101, Hopland
707.462.6666
www.jaxonkeys.com
Mushroom Hunt and Bubble Brunch on the Skunk Train • 10:00AM–1:00PM
Sunday November 10
Adventure out into nature and hop on the train from the Willits Depot out to Crowley Meadow. This ride takes you through the scenic redwoods while you are entertained by their very own Train Singer. Sip on some bubbles, enjoy a Kemmy’s Pie quiche and get ready to forage! While in the meadow, learn about the native flora and fauna and hunt for the mushrooms. This is the perfect way to wrap up your Willits weekend. 299 E Commercial St, Willits 707.964.6371 | www.skunktrain.com
Walk on the Wild Side • 1:30PM–5:30PM
Sunday November 10
Jug Handle Creek Farm and Nature Center will host guided mushroom identification walks with a large mushroom display and talk by expert Eric Schramm. The forays into nature will be led by Steve Jahelka, Jim Gibson and Fern Tahia. Enjoy delicious appetizers, drinks and desserts prepared by Alison Gardner and Merry Winslow, the authors of The Wild Mushroom Cookbook, Recipes from Mendocino. These chefs and authors will be present for your questions and to sign their book. $30/person. Reservations required.
15501 N Hwy 1, Caspar
707.937.3498
www.jughandlecreekfarm.org
Come and savor the Mendocino County experience … November 1 through 10, 2019! For more information visit https://ilovemushrooms.visitmendocino.com/ and check out the ticketed events at https://ilovemushrooms.visitmendocino.com/events/.