“Fog-eaters and bright-lighters welk”

This unusual welcome on a sign as you enter Anderson Valley is from the Boontling dialect, the language created to confuse outsiders in Boonville in the late 19th century. It’s translation? Welcome to those from the coast and those from the city.

This October 21st to 23rd, Anderson Valley extends their welcome to one and all at the Harvest Tidrick. Tidrick is the Boontling word for celebration or party, and visitors will get just that—a party.

“Harvest is such a magical time to visit the valley,” explains Courtney DeGraff, executive director of the Anderson Valley Winegrowers Association (AVWA). “Capturing the energy that happens around harvest and sharing it is the goal for the event.”

The Harvest Tidrick weekend kicks off on Friday October 21 from 5 to 8pm with the Tidrick Boucherie at the Mendocino County Fairgrounds (CA-128, Boonville), a Wine Country take on the traditional Cajun festival featuring a pig roast and live music by fun French folk-funk band, Djinn. Along with the roasted pork, chef Scott Baird designed the menu around local foods and flavors with dishes like local apple cabbage slaw, braised leeks, DuVigneaud sausage with Mendocino mustard, and Pennyroyal laychee Cheese (laychee is Boontling for milk). Vegetarian options will also be available. For pairings, you’ll be spoiled by some two dozen local winemakers. But the festival’s not only about grapes: Gowan’s Cider, Anderson Valley Brewing, and Mendocino Spirits will all be there, too.

The winery and cidery events on Saturday and Sunday are spread throughout the valley and up onto the ridges. Like Carneros or the Russian River Valley, Anderson Valley in Mendocino County was established as an independent American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1983. The area is known today for its pinot noir and sparkling wine.

During the festival, wine lovers can nerd out at SEAWOLF Wines (33151 CA-128, Yorkville) and learn about grape juice chemistry or tour the cellars at Navarro Vineyards (5601 CA-128, Philo)—something usually only wine club members get. At Meyer Family Cellars (19750 CA-128, Yorkville), you can taste-test the difference between wine aged in French oak vs. American oak and play bocce, wine plinko, barrel ring toss, and disc golf. At Lichen Estate (11001 County Rd. 151, Boonville) they’ll be serving harvest-inspired tapas and their first 2022 blends in their wine cellar.

Vineyards in the Anderson Valley(Courtesy of Anderson Valley…