I visited a bunch of really interesting wineries on last year’s tour of Mendocino, and I’ll continue spotlighting them until I work my way through my list! Next up: Nelson Family Vineyards.

Winemaker Chris Nelson and I (and Oscar, one of the winery dogs) settled in at a picnic table under soaring redwoods to have a casual lunch and talk about the winery, then moved inside to taste through a surprising number of wines. (If my notes are correct, Nelson makes thirteen different wines from eleven different varietals, with a total winery production of only around 2000 cases.)

This is one of those hidden treasure wineries that is great fun to know about — it’s off the beaten path and offers all the charm and personality of a truly small, family operation. And while the wines may not be available at your local wine store, many of them are available for online shopping at the winery website. Here are my notes on my favorites from that day:

Nelson Family Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay Mendocino ($21). The fruit really shines here — fresh, juicy apple and pear — with deft touches of cream, spicy butterscotch and toast that emerge on the finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Nelson Family Vineyards 2008 Viognier Mendocino ($21). All stainless-fermented, with clean, delicate, aromatic peach fruit accented with biscotti notes that linger on the balanced, medium-bodied finish. Ready to drink now and over the next couple of years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Nelson Family Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendocino Top Row Reserve ($42). Grown on the top two rows of a steeply terraced vineyard, this Cab offers concentrated black currant and blackberry fruit laced with chocolate and plenty of herbal notes — mint, sage, rosemary — that linger on the savory, cedar-edged finish. Ready to drink now and over the next 4-5 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Nelson Family Vineyards 2006 Zinfandel Mendocino ($23). Juicy and ripe, but not overripe or jammy. With bright boysenberry fruit that stays focused through the finish, picking up toasted, sweet spices and a touch of caramel. Ready to drink now. Locate this wine online or in your area.

Nelson Family Vineyards 2006 Chardonnay Mendocino Late Harvest ($25, 375ml). An unexpected treat, mouthwatering and unctuous, with apricot, pear, marmalade, hazelnut and loads of botrytis character. Long, caramel-tinged finish. Ready to drink now now and over the next 2-3 years. Locate this wine online or in your area.