To Start / Choice of

Clams Casino

or

Soup du Jour

Intermezzo with Sparkling Wine

Entree Choices

Half Cornish Game Hen

Three Bean Ragout, Baby Carrots, Green Peppercorn Sauce

or

Pan Seared Ahi

with Pumpkin Puree, Purple Creamers, Broccoli Rabe

with Pinot Noir Sauce

or

Beef Medallions

Sauteed Radichio, Mushroom Sauce with Mashed Potatoes

or

Risotto with Spaghetti Squash

Dessert

Chocolate Begnets

or

Warm Apple Tatin

For dinner phone 707-937-2810 or online at urban spoon.

For lodging phone 707-937-2810 or online at reservations.

For spa reservations phone 707-937-2810 or online at Indigo Eco-Spa.

On January 6, in Cloverdale, California the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition was held. There were 5,500 wines submitted for this years competition.

Originally founded in 1983 as the Cloverdale Citrus Fair Wine Competition. The first competition was modest in size. 15 wineries entered 45 wines, with a single panel of 5 judges awarded 30 medals.

The competition rapidly grew in the 1990′s to over 100 wineries. Eligibility was increased to include wineries in Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino. It was renamed the Tri-County Wine Competition. Later on the competition expanded to the entire North Coast Appellation. The areas included all wineries in the counties of Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, Lake, Solano and Marin. It was called the California North Coast Wine Competition. In 2000, the San Francisco Chronicle became the naming sponsor of the competition with the Cloverdale Citrus Fair remaining the host, becoming the producer of the new San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

The 2001 competition was limited to Northern California but was expanded to the full state of California from 2002-2004. The 2004 competition had over 2,500 entries from 565 California wineries.

In 2004, the San Francisco Chronicle Competition expanded the wine competition to include California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho for the 2005 competition. The total wine entries for the 2005 competition was over 3,200 wine entries which made the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition the largest wine competition of American wines in the world. In 2006, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition expanded its geographical base nationally.

We would like to mention this years, Mendocino County winery winners.

Double Gold Medal Winners:

1. McNab Ridge Winery 2009 Petite Sirah
2. Patianna 2009 Chardonnay
3. Parducci Wine Cellars 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
4. Terra Savia 2007 Blanc de Blancs

Gold Medals:

1. Campovida 2010 Viognier
2. Cesar Toxqui Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
3. Frey 2010 Zinfandel
4. Handley Cellars 2010 Chardonnay
5. Jaxon Keys 2009 Farmhouse Red
6. McNab Ridge 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
7. Navarro 2010 Navarrouge
8. Philo Ridge 2009 Viognier
9. Simaine 2009 Sangiovese
10. Terra Savia 2010 Brut Rouge
11. Topel 2006 Meritage
12. Paul Dolan Vineyards 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
13. Paul Dolan Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay
14. Paul Dolan Vineyards 2009 Zinfandel

Silver Medals:

1. Albertina Wine Cellars
2. Barra of Mendocino
3. Bliss
4. Bonterra
5. Brutocao Cellars
6. Cesar Toxqui Cellars
7. Handley Cellars
8. Husch Vineyards
9. Jaxon Keys
10. Jeriko
11. Kendall-Jackson
12. McNab Ridge
13. Navarro
14. Parducci Wine Cellars
15. Patianna
16. Paul Dolan Vineyards
17. Rivino
18. Saracina Vineyards
19. Simaine
20. Topel
21. Weibel
22. Whaler Vineyard

Bronze Medals:

1. Bliss
2. Bonterra
3. Brutocao Cellars
4. Claudia Springs
5. Husch
6. Jaxon Keys
7. Jeriko
8. Navarro
9. Parducci Wine Cellars
10. Patianna
11. Paul Dolan Vineyards
12. Philo Ridge
13. Simaine Cellars
14. Topel
15. Weibel
16. Whaler Vineyard
17. Yorkville Cellars

Congratulations to all of our Mendocino wineries.

We have many of these wines on our wine list. Come stay, dine and enjoy yourself here at Stevenswood.

For dinner phone 707-937-2810 or online at urban spoon.

For lodging phone 707-937-2810 or online at reservations.

For spa reservations phone 707-937-2810 or online at Indigo Eco-Spa.

Lynn D.

West Covina, CA

1/8/2012

Sydney G.

Berkeley, CA

1/15/2012

This Annual International Alsace Varietals Festival is held February 18, 19, 2012 in beautiful Anderson Valley, which is located in the rolling hills of the coastal region of Mendocino County, California. Celebrate your passion for Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, and Muscat wines. You will enjoy tasting wines from all around the world. Wineries from France, Germany and New Zealand will be pouring samples alongside wineries from Michigan, New York, Oregon, California and of course our own Anderson Valley.

Starting with the Alsace Varietals Festival Technical Conference from 8:30 – 12:30 pm., Saturday, February 18. Come listen and interact with winemakers from around the world, as they discuss winemaking and grape growing specifically for Alsace varietals. There will be a light breakfast served. Tickets for this particular event is $45.

Then at noon, prior to the Grand Tasting, Food Network star, Chef Beau Mac Millan and local renowned Chef Francois de Melogue, will be creating Alsace and Asian style dishes, which will be perfectly suited for aromatic whites. The chefs will be entertaining and educating attendees as they discuss food and wine pairing tips, and the audience will sample their creations of fresh oysters, charcuteries, Asian fare, Tart Flambee’ and more which is a great way to learn more about the versatility of Alsace-style wines.

Then the main event, which is the Alsace Varietals Grand Tasting from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.  Meet the winemakers and taste Alsace-style white wines from around the world, and enjoy foods perfectly suited for aromatic whites. This event costs $65.

These events will be held at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds in downtown Boonville. The street address is 14400 Highway 128. Sorry no kids or pets allowed.

Then enjoy Anderson Valley Winery Open Houses on Sunday, February 19, from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm. Spend the day touring the many winery open houses. Savor tasty pairings, and taste unique and vintage Alsace varietal wines, and enjoy live music.

For tickets click 7th Annual International Alsace Varietals Festival

For dinner phone 707-937-2810 or online at urban spoon.

For lodging phone 707-937-2810 or online at reservations.

For spa reservations phone 707-937-2810 or online at Indigo Eco-Spa.

For all of you crab lovers, today January 15, is the day crab fisherman here in Mendocino can get crab right here off the Mendocino coast. The crab season here on the Mendocino coast normally opens on December 1, and state biologists say this is the latest the northern crab season has started in two decades here.

The growth rate was delayed this year along the north coast. It is quite possible that the crabs had a delay molting, which is a once in a year occurrence when the crab gets a new shell. After that, the crab fills in with muscle tissue, which is the meat that humans eat. The meat to body weight ratio didn’t meet the standard and that is why there was a 7 week delay. This phenomenon has been seen from Fort Bragg to Brookings Oregon, and is very unusual.

But that now means that the local harvest of crab, will be not only be fresh caught, but even more succulent for all the crab lovers for the upcoming county wide Crab & Wine Days starting Friday, January 20 and runs through Sunday, January 29.

For dinner phone 707-937-2810 or online at urban spoon.

For lodging phone 707-937-2810 or online at reservations.

For spa reservations phone 707-937-2810 or online at Indigo Eco-Spa.

Events for the Week of January 16 – 23

• · Indigo Eco Spa is the premier center for well-being along the Mendocino Coast. Our state-of-the art, Five Star Luxury Spa surrounds an atmosphere of pampering, relaxation and rejuvenation. Guests are invited to sample a variety of body, skin and facial treatments centered on the beauty and power of the sea. Full menu of services is located at the welcome desk.
• Pacific Star Winery You are invited to this award winning winery for wine tasting. Their wines are made entirely on their cliff side location 12 miles north of Fort Bragg; 30 minutes from Mendocino. They also have picnic tables that overlook the Pacific Ocean. Open 11-4pm.
• · Whale Watching on the Trek ll will afford you the ultimate in the whale watching experience. These two hour cruises let you enjoy the migration of the California Gray Whales as well as many other marine mammals and birds, in unparalleled style. The cruises begin in the middle of December and continue through April and are available on both weekends and weekdays. 964-4550.
• · Mendocino Art Center presents 2012 Members Juried Exhibit from 10 – 5 pm. Juror: David L. Cross can paint anything, but it’s the ocean that has captured his imagination for the past 40 years. Some might call his paintings, “moody, romantic, powerful, or moving.” David creates every day. If he isn’t painting, he is sketching, preparing canvas, making frames, or carefully observing the ocean. His original works can be seen at the Mendocino Art Center. 45200 Little Lake Street at Kasten Street, Mendocino. 937-5818.
• · Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Open daily from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. 47 acres to the sea. There are Japanese maples, late perennials, winter heathers, camellias, and wild mushrooms and also viewing of the winter whale migration. Enjoy the sculpture gallery in the gardens. The sculpture gallery primarily features the work of California artists. Visitors enjoy the artwork in an intimate, natural setting, connected by meandering paths and walkways.
• · “13 Strings” Jazz Guitar Duo Friday, January 20, from 7:30 – 9:30 pm. Alex Markels – 7 string guitar and James Moseley – 6 string guitar, will play duet interpretations of jazz tunes they love, Alex and James have been playing guitar since they were kids. Alex switch to 7 strings ten years ago. Sliding scale $10 – $15. Mendocino Hotel Garden Room. 937-1732.
• · Crab Cake & Cook-Off & Wine Tasting Competition Saturday, January 21, from noon to 3 pm. Succulent crab cakes & Mendocino wines. A winning combination! Taste hand-crafted crab cakes prepared by Mendocino chefs while sipping Mendocino wines! Participants compete for the Professional Judges Awards bestowed by renowned food, wine & travel writers, while vying for your vote for the Peoples choice Awards! Bid on specialty wines, lodging, artwork, spa packages, and more in the silent auction! Raffle prizes too! Held at the Big White Tent at the corner of Main & Spruce Streets, Fort Bragg. 961-3463.
• · Dan Newton aka “Daddy Squeeze” playing Saturday, January 21, from 7:30 – 10 pm. “Daddy Squeeze” has been playing offbeat accordion music since 1987. “Music out of context”, or “Ethro-clectic Bop” is the result of Dan Newton’s genre-bending experiments with Celtic, Tex-Mex, Creole, Blues, jazz, Scandinavion, Polka and Pop Music. Dan will be joined by a host of local Lark Camp stars for a set of mixed dances after the concert. Held at the Hill House of Mendocino. $15. 937-1732.
• Whale Watching at MacKerricher State Park Saturday, Sunday, January 14, 15 from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm. Knowledgeable docents will talk about the annual gray whale migration and about other marine mammals see along the Mendocino Coast. Talks will begin near the visitor center at the main entrance to Mackerricher State park. Docents will provide binoculars and a spotting scope to help visitors study whales and other fascination wildlife found near Mackerricher’s shores. FREE. Dogs allowed on a leash. 961-0471.
• · Caspar Inn

Fri., Jan. 20  Mighty T Bones rock and blues Starts 9:30 pm. $10

Sat., Jan. 21  Guerrilla Takeover reggae/hip hop Starts 9:30 pm. $10

Sun., Jan 22  Reggae Sunday reggae Starts 8:30 pm. FREE

Dinner Chef Roberto Hernandez wanted to share one of his sorbet recipes. This recipe has a light and refreshing taste that you can enjoy anytime.

1 1/4 cups sparkling wine
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup raspberries

Combine the wine, water, and sugar in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the raspberries, and remove from the heat and cover. Let stand for 10 minutes. Press the mixture through a mesh strainer with a rubber spatula. Discard the seeds. Refrigerate the mixture until cold, about 2 hours. Freeze in a ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Freeze in a covered container until firm, about 4 hours.

Hailed for her superstar quality, Taiwanese pianist Ching-Yun Hu is a winner of the 2009 Concert Artists Guild International Competition. She also captured in 2008 the top prize and the audience favorite prize at the 12th Arthur Rubenstein International Piano Master Competition in Tel Aviv.

Ching-Yun Hu was born in Taipei, Taiwan. She made her concerto debut at age 13 with the Poland Capella Cracoriensis Chamber Orchestra on tour in Asia and won the Silver Medal at the Taipei International Piano Competition at age 16.

Ms. Hu moved at the age of 14 to the United States to continue her music studies at The Julliard School in New York. She studied piano with Herbert Stessin and Oxana Yaldenskaya and chamber music with Joseph Kalichstein and Seymour Lipkin. She also received additional artistic guidance from Richard Goode.

Some recent recital highlights include London’s Wigmore Hall and Southbank Centre, New York’s Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Opera House in Tel Aviv, Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon, National Concert Hall of Taipei, Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Salle Cartot in Paris, Aspen Musical Festival, Munich’s Herkulesaal, the Great Hall at Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest, Vrodenburg Festival in Holland, Boston’s Longy School of Music, Chopin International Festival in Poland, Rubinstein Philharmonic Hall in Lodz and Japan’s Osaka Hall. She has also performed festivals in the US, UK, Israel, France, Spain, Brazil, South Africa and at the Maputo International Music Festival in Mozambique, Africa.

Current concerto engagements include the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra, Evergreen Symphony (Taiwan) and a tour with the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, Johannesberg Philharmonic, Israel Symphony Orchestra and the Maidstone Symphony Orchestra (UK). She made her Philadelphia Orchestra debut in a sold out concert and has also been a featured soloist with the Aspen Concert Orchestra, New York Sinfonietta, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, World Festival Orchestra and Viana de Castelo Festival Orchestra.

We are honored and excited to have her perform here on the beautiful Mendocino coast, in the village of Mendocino.

Location: Mark your calendars for January 29, 2012 for a one day engagement, here in Mendocino, at Preston Hall, 44831 Main Street, Mendocino at 3 pm.

Her program includes Beethoven’s Sonata in A Major, Op. 101, Nocturne and Impromptu by Scriabin, Fantastic by Schumann, and Arabesque on the Beautiful Blue Danube by Strauss/Schultz-Evier.

Cost: $20. For information call 707-937-1018 or email info@fbcamusicseries.com

For dinner phone 707-937-2810 or online at urban spoon.

For lodging phone 707-937-2810 or online at reservations.

For spa reservations phone 707-937-2810 or online at Indigo Eco-Spa.

We are frequent travelers. We enjoy lovely hotels, gorgeous outdoor environments, great food and appreciate outstanding service. This place provided it all. The room was big, cozy and comfy, the bed was fabulous, the fireplace inviting. The garden is lush and the birds abundant! Llamas graze just across the fence next door, really!

Our dinner at the onsite Stevenwood Restaurant was exquisite, absolutely delicious. My husband is still raving about his fantastic pair of perfectly prepared lamb chops. I enjoyed a fantastic, juicy roasted pork chop with wild mushrooms and a berry coulis.

In the morning we wandered down a beautiful trail that begins just across the road from the lodge, only to find ourselves on the bluff above the Pacific with the waves crashing against those gorgeous, rocky Mendocino Coast outcroppings. Working fishing boats bobbled just offshore. The trail along the bluff is an easy one to navigate, peaceful, private, perfect with the sea on one side and a vast meadow of tall wheaten grasses on the other. It crosses a newly designated portion of the beautiful Van Damme State Park.

Everyone we encountered at Stevenswood was welcoming and gracious from our first greeting at the door, to every service person and finally the gentlemen who facilitated our check-out. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. We loved the place. Absolutely a pleasure on all counts.

Jacqueline C. Davis, CA

12/30/2011