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Autumn 2006 brings news about Mendocino County, along with an enjoyable Indian Summer. Unusual new accommodations, a revamped classic coastal inn, a new wine bar, and the perfect wine to drink at a tailgate party are all making their debut. Travelers are invited to check out the Mendocino County Promotional Alliance (MCPA) web site at www.goMendo.com for details on lodging, dining, wineries, culinary products, events, directions, and a link to receive free visitor information. You can also call MCPA toll-free at (866) goMendo (466-3636). Here's what's new: Historic Point Cabrillo Light Station Opens Lighthouse Inn - What was it like to spend the night in a lightkeeper's house 100 years ago? Now you can find out. The newly restored historic head lightkeeper's house at Point Cabrillo Light Station and Nature Preserve State Park just north of Mendocino village opened this month as the new Lighthouse Inn at Point Cabrillo. One of only three overnight lighthouse visitor accommodations on the west coast, the inn features six bedrooms (four in the lightkeeper's house, and two more in the garden outbuildings). Room rates range from $177-272, and include a private nighttime tour of the lighthouse and a gourmet breakfast. Information: (707) 937-6124; www.pointcabrillo.org. Heritage House Restoration Nears Completion; Restaurant Welcomes New Chef - An extensive restoration of the renowned Heritage House cottages is slated for completion late this fall, including restyling of the 37-acre property's 47 guest rooms by designer Jaya Ibrahim. Next on the agenda: an all-new spa. Meanwhile, the Little River landmark inn welcomes new executive chef Nancy Kinchela, an Australian whose epicurean resume includes two Michelin-rated restaurants in London, among others. Kinchela is working with local purveyors to develop a menu and wine list that reflects Mendocino County's bounty. Following the re-launch of the menu, the Heritage House Restaurant and Bar will be redesigned by Ibrahim and architect Jean Mitchel Gathy. Information: (800) 235-5885; www.heritagehouseinn.com. What Would Ditka Drink - With football season off to a rousing start, proper hosts may well be wondering what beverages to serve when guests come over to watch the game. Mendocino Wine Company (MWC) is partnering with football Hall of Famer and coach Mike Ditka on a new line of wines. Ditka visited the MWC facility and vineyards and actively participated in evaluative and blending tastings. Together, Ditka and the MWC partners are developing five different wines under three different labels, to be released this fall. Ditka's "Da Coach" Pinot Grigio and Merlot are styled for every day enjoyment. Mike Ditka Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are high-quality selections from some of MWC's best vineyards. Mike Ditka Kick Ass Red is a reserve-quality bottling that combines the red varietals that grow best on Mendocino County's rugged hillside vineyards. All labels feature a simple caricature of Da Coach himself. The wines will be sold in Mike Ditka's popular Chicago restaurant, as well as through retailers throughout the Midwest and around the country. MWC is developing football-themed wine clubs to sell Mike Ditka wines to consumers across the USA. Information: www.mendocinowinecompany.com. Mendocino Movies Just an Amazon Click Away - Missing Mendocino County when you got home from your trip? Did you forget to take the lens cap off when you shot your own video? Don't fret - beginning this month on www.goMendo.com, you can click a new "Marketplace" link on the right side of the home page, which will display a selection of movies filmed in Mendocino County. Click on one that entices you, and you'll be linked directly to that item for sale at Amazon.com. Currently, the Marketplace link offerings are mostly films on DVD (a lot of movies have been made here in the past 63 years) and selected books, but eventually the offerings may be expanded to include food items and other products made in Mendocino County. Wine Melds With Art at New Ukiah Shop - Tierra-Art, Garden, Wine opened in Ukiah last month, offering a wine tasting cooperative and art gallery with a convenient downtown location. Featuring the wines of small, organic Mendocino County vineyards, Tierra also serves as a venue for local art from paintings to sculpture, with exhibits changing monthly and artists' receptions the first Thursday of every month. The garden component includes regional native plants for sale. Tierra
is open noon to 6 pm. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays
(when live music and cheese pairing are also offered), and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
The shop is located at 312 N. School Street. Call (707) 468-7936. (Click below
for more travel).
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