On a sunny day, it's pleasant to sit on the deck of the tasting room, which is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM in summer and 9 AM to 5 PM in winter. After receiving her degree in enology and working six years in the wine industry, she and her husband, Rex, founded Handley Cellars in the basement of their home near Philo. Today's tasting room is a far cry from that basement winery. As visitors sip wine they are surrounded by the Handley family's collection of folk art from around the world. In fact, Milla's interest in the folk art of North Africa, Thailand and India has led her to instigate a monthly culinary adventure, asking visitors to taste the featured ethnic food of the month with different wines.
Lucky participants get to decide which is best, then take home recipes such as cilantro pesto.
Located 6 miles northwest of Philo, the tasting room offers complimentary samples of their unusual Pinot Menieur, as well as an excellent Pinot Noir. It is open daily from 11 AM to 6 PM in summer and 11 AM to 5 PM in winter. There is an inviting garden courtyard for picnics. Theirs is the oldest winery in Anderson Valley and still contains some of its first varietal plantings. Originally planted in 1969 and bonded in 1971 by the Husches, it was purchased by the Oswalds in 1979.