In 1979, it was a forgotten vineyard that had been planted by an unnamed creek. The land was overrun by berry brambles and 15-foot oaks.

Enter Lou Bock, a cattle rancher who was a little down on his luck. He explored this gently sloped, rocky benchland in Mendocino County's Redwood Valley, and saw at once what it could become. The soils didn't run deep but they were rich and prime for grapes.

In part inspired by Tom McGuane's best-selling novel, The Sporting Club, Lou decided to take a sporting chance. Hence the name "Chance Creek" for one of the most enchanting little vineyards in California.

Once he acquired the land, Lou applied his organic farming philosophy to grape-growing. He learned about the power of organic methods from a crusty British professor who had used them to grow roses for the Queen. Chance Creek uses no herbicides, pesticides, or nitrogen. Instead, the crew sprays seaweed fertilizer to stimulate roots for extra growth, and also to create a particular vein of flavor. The result is what a famous competitor privately admitted was the best Sauvignon Blanc grapes in all of storied Redwood Valley.

Wine Insiders has arranged to bring you Lou's top-of-the-line S.B., with depths of l-o-o-o-n-g delicious flavor that's expressed not just on the front, but through the entire palate.

Chance Creek is in Mendocino County, which starts in the inland valleys 90 miles north of San Francisco. The vineyard is located 10 miles north of Ukiah at the base of a range that ends at the Russian River.

Mendocino's Geographic Features: The vineyards are divided among several small Mayacamas and Coastal Range mountain valleys, following the drainages of the Russian and Navarro Rivers. Vineyards rise from the river plains.

Wine clubs are a great way to try new wines, compare your opinions and share a fun evening with friends-all at the same time. Clubs are growing in popularity all over the country, and here are a few hints for getting your own club started:

• Build your club with people who share the same level of wine knowledge so you can all learn together.
• Be creative with your wine themes. You can compare different bottles of the same varietal, wines from the same region or country, or even wines bottled in the same year.
• Set a price limit everyone's comfortable with.
• Have every member email you the name of the wine they're bringing. Print sheets ahead of time listing each wine with space for people to write comments.
• Taste your wines carefully in small sips. Keep a pitcher or bowl handy for dumping your unfinished wines, and rinse all your glasses between bottles.
• Consider blind tastings - with the wine bottles hidden in numbered bags- if your group has a more advanced wine knowledge.
• Provide light foods to accompany your club meetings. They'll help keep your get-togethers feeling like parties, and they'll slow the absorption of alcohol.
• If you can rotate your club meetings between members' houses, great. Otherwise, try to work out a pricing deal with a local restaurant that can give you a private party room.

This baked wheel of brie stuffed with mushrooms and goat cheese is always a crowd pleaser. Especially good with sparkling wine or a nice, crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Ingredients:

• 2 lb. wheel of Brie
• 1 pkg. (17.5 oz.) puff pastry, both sheets thawed
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• 8 oz. sliced mushrooms
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons dry Vermouth
• 6 oz. goat cheese, crumbled freshly ground nutmeg
• Accompaniments: fruit, crackers, bread

Preparation:
Prepare the filling:

1. Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add mushrooms and thyme. Saute for 2 minutes.
2. Add the vermouth and simmer for 4-6 minutes until the liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms are tender. Set aside to cool.

1. Keep rind on the cheese and slice in half horizontally.
2. Spread mushrooms over the bottom half and sprinkle with goat cheese. Add a few grinds of nutmeg, replace top and press down gently.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry and cut into 2 1/2-inch circles.
4. Place the Brie on one circle and , pleating as necessary, pull the pastry up and over the side. It will not cover the top of the cheese. Gently invert the Brie onto the other circle and again, pleat and pull the pastry up over the wheel. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper.
5. Remove plastic wrap and place the cheese, seam side down on a the baking tray. Brush with the egg and bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden. Allow cheese to rest 20 minutes before serving.

Glassware-Five or six glasses per guest can add up fast - So relax and stock up on clear plastic cups instead. That way you'll still be able to appreciate the wines' colors, but cleanup will be a cinch.

Bottled water-Guests will need to quench their thirsts and clear their palates with something other than wine. It's best to serve the water at room temperature, as drinking something very cold can slightly numb the tongue and affect wine tasting.

Crackers-Another must-have for palate cleansing between pairings, make sure to set out plenty of unsalted crackers or plain bread.

Pour bucket-In case guests prefer not to swallow every sample of wine they taste, keep some receptacles handy. Don't worry; polite spitting is perfectly acceptable wine tasting etiquette. Use whatever you have on hand - simple bowls, metal Champagne buckets or wide-mouth pitchers will all do the trick.

Wine openers-It may seem obvious, but this is an easy item to overlook. To keep things moving smoothly, you may want to have several openers on hand. While there are endless varieties available, some of the simplest and least expensive models work the best, so just choose whichever type you're most comfortable using.

Tasting temperatures - You don't need to be concerned with precise temperatures; just know that for tasting purposes, it's preferable to serve white wines slightly chilled, but not ice cold. Red wines are best sampled at room temperature.

As soon as you enter Mendocino, you'll experience a feeling of traveling back in time. You won't see any buildings or storefronts that resemble modern-day commerce: no McDonald's, no Pottery Barn, no giant "box" retailers. Like the old days, the pace of life in Mendocino is slow and easy. The air is clean and fresh. The surrounding beauty of the ocean and rugged coast brings a feeling of solitude and peace of mind. This is truly a spot to rejuvenate the spirit.

Mendocino is best known for its spectacular scenery and distinctive wineries.

Mendocino Wine Country begins about 90 miles north of San Francisco in the inland valleys of Mendocino County. Due to the varied terrain and expansive range of microclimates, Mendocino is able to produce an impressive variety of grapes that create superior wines.

In Mendocino, natural wonders abound, from the smallest to the tallest trees in the world to glass-bottom beaches and the only oceanfront botanical gardens in the USA.

Here are some of our favorite places to visit and things to do in Mendocino:
Wineries

1. Fife Vineyards
2. Jepson Vineyards
3. Roederer Estate
4. Parducci Wine CellarsLodging and Dining
5. Albion River Inn Festivals
6. Pinot Noir Festival: May 18 - 20

Wineries and Driving Tours of Mendocino County

Nearly 40 wineries are located in the four regions of Mendocino County:
Mendocino Coast. Visit the westernmost vineyard in the continental United States. Its wines are gently rocked by motions of the Pacific waves.

Anderson Valley/Yorkville. These wineries are renowned for Pinot Noir and dry Alsatian-style Gewürztraminer. Tasting rooms vary from a showcase of international folk art to a rose-covered chicken coop.

Redwood Valley/Ukiah. Organic vineyards and small producers stand out for their colorful winemaking styles and stories.

Hopland. This quaint hamlet is home to a dozen wineries and greets travelers with California's oldest brewpub.

To get printable driving routes for each Mendocino region, go to: http://www.mendowine.com/wineries/entirecounty.html.