Tuesday, January 23, 2018

When visiting Mendocino County in the far north of California think big.  The trees are bigger and taller, the rugged coast line bordering the Pacific Ocean appears endless and the curves on Highway One that will take you there seemingly without number.
In planning our most recent trip to this region we were fortunate to learn about Brewery Gulch Inn which offers five star accommodations and amenities while maintaining in architecture, decor and ambiance the life-style of the region and its history. 
On Highway One we spotted the water tower graced with a sign proclaiming Brewery Gulch Inn and once inside the attractive reception area and lodge found a wondrous refuge.
Waiting inside was a smiling innkeeper who had been expecting us.  What we saw was a beautiful redwood paneled front desk with adjacent wine bar, then a huge fireplace with blazing logs surrounded by a large lounge.  This lounge overlooks a stretch of ocean that is called Smuggler's Cove and on this day under fierce attack by angry ocean surf.
Soon our Innkeeper had our luggage in our own suite which was named the Madrone.  Each of the ten rooms at the Inn has the name of a tree.   Our room had windows and patio overlooking Smuggler's Cove, and its own gas fireplace surrounded by easy chairs.  The luxury continued with a king size bed,  and a full bath with a two person tub, desk, flat screen TV and complimentary local and domestic long distance telephone service.
That evening as we were tasting the complimentary wines that are part of the service we met Guy Pacurar, proprietor of Brewery Gulch Inn who has a most interesting history.  After a very successful career heading a national student exchange program based in Southern California Guy decided he would like to become an Innkeeper of a resort in a scenic and exotic location.  After a search that took a full year and included viewing twenty nine proprietors in five states he found what he was looking for at Brewery Gulch Inn located close to Mendocino on Highway One
.Amenities at the Inn include complimentary gourmet cooked to order breakfast.  Following the evening wine hour a light dinner buffet is offered that is changed each night by the in house chef.  That first evening we tasted four wines, all from surrounding wine regions.  First was Fathers and Daughters 2015 Sauvignon Blanc for adjacent Anderson Valley, then Michael Sullberg 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon,  and McNab 2013 Petite Sirah from Hopland.  Our buffet dinner included an much admired French Onion soup, Shrimp Risotto and the Chef's inspired Quitch.
Another evening our wines included Old Vine Red OVR from Marietta Cellars, Fathers & Daughters 2014 Pinot Noir and, an Italian white wine Arneis from Enotria.  For the buffet Chef Joe Niesyn prepared a peppercorn flank steak with a most tasty mushroom sauce, steamed fresh vegetables, baked sweet potatoes and his own freshly baked chocolate cake.
Brewery Gulch Inn proved to be the perfect base for some explorations of the surrounding areas including the delightful community of Mendocino,  originally a lumber company town but now with the traditional look and decor of a New England Victorian town.

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