McDowell Valley Vineyards is a leader in producing California-grown Rhône varietals, including their flagship Syrah. Their old-fashioned storefront tasting room in downtown Hopland is set up like a general store with a tin roof, redwood siding, knotty-pine floors and ceiling, and a hospitable team staffing their tasting counter. The place even has a stuffed elk head mounted on the back wall.

McDowell has become the leader in research of rootstocks and clones for Rhône varieties. Bill McDowell is sourcing new clonal selections of Syrah from all over California, as well as from France. “In California, the challenge for Rhône varieties continues to be in finding the best combinations of rootstock and fruitwood in the appropriate soil and climate,” says Bill. The winery produces Grenache, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne and port.

Their large vineyard has one of the longest records of continuous wine grape production in California. Syrah and Grenache have been planted in this vineyard for almost a century.

In addition to tasting McDowell's Rhône varietals, the gift shop has a good selection of specialty foods, ceramics, clothing and country gift items. Some wines are available only in the tasting room, such as Rodeo Red and Western White. The tasting room is located directly across from the Hopland Brewery.