Pennyroyal Farm — Restaurant in Boonville

Great cheese and wine from a sustainable farm (5/5 green stars also) We stopped off here on the way to Mendocino (it’s a good stopping point if you are coming from the Bay Area) for a grilled cheese sandwich and wine tasting and also took some wine and cheese to go. The grilled cheese sandwich ($10) was very nicely made, golden brown and oozing with their delicious cheese, and came with a side of really good pickled veggies. The staff members are very friendly and approachable (i.e., not snobbish) and their outdoor seating looking out over the wine and sheep is very pleasant. The wine tasting ($5 but waived since I bought a bottle) was good – I liked the 2015 Pinot Noir Rosé ($25) and the Pinot Noir. They are getting good reviews – 91 and 92 points on Wine Enthusiast, respectively – perhaps not surprising since they are a sister vineyard to Navarro. Also picked up a wedge of their Tomme cheese (“Boont Corners”), made from goats’ milk ($9 for a decent sized wedge). They sell three different ages for this cheese and even the creamier two-month Tomme had great flavor – not as nutty as the older ones, but that’s life eh? They also have a farm-to-table cheese program.

I’m also giving them 5/5 “green stars” for social and environmental impact, based on these reasons:

• On their website they say, “By integrating animal husbandry and viticulture, we avoid many of the pitfalls of monoculture - each farming endeavor enhances and compliments the other.” I think this is true. • For example, they can make fertilizer from animal dung and grape skins. • Although not certified organic, a staff member told me that they don’t use pesticides or herbicides. • Cover crops are grown to attract beneficial insects. • Employees receive full-time jobs with benefits. • They have incorporated solar power into their farm. • They reclaim waste water for irrigation. • The animals look happy and are treated with care. • There was no sign of waste: the cheese is packaged simply; food was served on ceramic plates with metal utensils. Interested in writing green star reviews? If so, contact me!...

Cheese and wine, need I saw more?! Well, yes, because I see a little icon down below stating I need to add more to my review lol.

First off, Pennyroyal Farm has plenty of parking, so that's a good thing to note during high tourist season. Second, they have decent indoor seating, but their outdoor seating is where you need to be. We had to stay indoors though because it was freezing outside.

The bridal party and I did the wine tasting with cheese pairing for $15 I believe ($5 for wine tasting, $10 for the cheese). A great deal, right? For the most part, yes, but their goats were on maternity leave, so we couldn't sample their goat cheese, which I'm sure is really delicious. We had a sample of 3 cheeses, which were all yummy. One of the bridesmaids bought some cured meats, which is available near the bar, so we had a mini charcuterie board going on during our tasting.

We tried maybe around 7-10 wines. They were all very delicious, and I bought a bottle at the end, which waived the tasting fee (but not the pairing). The woman pouring told us about the farm, and also gave us some suggestions on where to go next!

Because it's a farm, you can also do tours, but I believe reservations are required. For the most part, you don't need a reservation at all to visit, unless your party is 6 or larger.

Also, if you don't want to do a full tasting, they do offer flights, along with a food menu to pair your flight.

And don't forget to take pictures of their cheese rounds! It's a beautiful sight.

Welcoming atmosphere, great wine, delicious cheese. Now I think I've said enough. And I definitely want to come back once their goats are off of...

This is a tough review to write. I've enjoyed their cheeses at numerous Anderson Valley wineries over the last eleven years and have recommended them many times. But on my last visit to the valley, I had an opportunity to actually visit them. Was I ever disappointed.

I brought my girlfriend here, who had never been, because she really loves goat cheese. We didn't have reservations, so we were told we wouldn't be able to sit outside, as all the outside tables were reserved. Bummer, but OK, no big deal. Shortly after getting seated, I had to use the restroom, which is outside. I noticed lots of empty tables out there. Again, OK. Maybe they got a lot of people coming in soon. During our cheese and wine tasting, 4 couples arrived without reservations. All were given the choice to sit outside. Hmm ... let's see they were all Caucasian and I am not. To see it happen once, wasn't a big deal. But to see it happen 4 times, no way was that a coincidence. Sorry, but I have to call a spade a spade. This place, or at least the gal working the front, is racist. I will not be coming here again and I will not be recommending this place any more. This ruined our entire tasting. Even my girlfriend had to admit it was suspicious. Even though she enjoyed the cheese and wanted to buy some, she did not. She did not want to give them her business after what we witnessed.

Bottom line, if you're a person of color don't come here. You will not be...