Happy Labor Day

A couple of weeks ago, Glendeven Inn, located on the serene Mendocino coast in northern California, became one of Rosati Family Winery’s newest customers. The gracious Innkeeper and Proprietor of the luxurious and romantic Glendeven Inn is John Dixon.

John is a long-time California resident, but originally from Michigan.  When he was very young, he relocated from the mid-west to the other majestic Pacific coastal area in southern California, Laguna Beach.  While studying business, he worked and put himself through undergraduate studies at California State Long Beach.  Following graduation, John was granted a sizable scholarship to earn his MBA at Claremont Business School.

After Claremont, he received two job offers-one quite traditional and one completely unique.  The first was with Anderson Consulting.  He commented that he and one other tall blonde fellow were the recipients of these.  He chose, instead, his other option.  For many, many years, he worked with a physician entrepreneur.  This person had founded FHP, one of the very first HMOs.  This individual also had a plethora of other business interests.  Among other pursuits, John worked with him on real estate deals that included building a hotel in Micronesia, a Museum of Latin American Art, the MOLAA, and a $1 million renovation on his home in Southern California. The Museum included a restaurant holding which, aside from managing the building, he staffed.  This was a fun and learning experience for John.  “He was tough, but I learned a lot.”  Through this man, John met senators, rode in his private jet.  Wow, what a beginning and life shaping period!

Later, John moved on and into his own business.  In Los Angeles, he began investing in real estate and created a corporate multimedia company.  His clients were Macy’s, pharmaceutical firms and Northrup Grumman.  Not content to spend all his time in the hustle and bustle of L.A., he purchased a jewel in the countryside.  He bought and still owns a home near Tehachapi in Bear Valley Springs.  During his southland phase, he tended to spend half his time in the mountains raising llamas.

About 13 years ago, he ventured out on a solo bike trip.  One day he stopped for a quick lunch in Mendocino-and stayed for three days.  By 2007 he decided it was time to return permanently.  Accidentally, he found Glendeven Inn.  While viewing it with the real estate agent, he remembers hoping that the sound of his pounding heart was not audible to her; he had fallen in love madly and instantly.

Today, Glendeven Inn is recognized as a top distinguished inn by “Select Registry” and the top pick for Mendocino Accommodations by Vogue Magazine, Travel & Leisure and Sunset Magazine. Settled amongst 8.5 acres you will find the ten room inn as well as three vacation rentals and a wine barn.  Daily, 45 Mendocino County wines are available for purchase in three ounce samplings.  Well-known and small production wines are offered.  John particularly enjoys wines like Rosati Cabernet as they are the “off-the-beaten track” finds.

Each morning the Inn and vacation home guests are treated to homemade, in-room breakfasts.  Three nights a week Chef Patrick Meany prepares a “farm to table” dinner.  These are private, maximum 12 person, four course dinners that include wine pairings.  Patrick is a Mendocino local.  Before returning to Mendocino in 2010, he spent time working for Thomas Keller at Bouchon in Las Vegas, Gary Danko in San Francisco and Grant Achatz at Alinea in Chicago.

Beyond the elegance and comfort of the Inn, the tasting experiences of our Cabernet and other remarkable Mendocino County wines, you can walk out the door of the Inn and enjoy the vast beauty of the coast.  There are pristine preserve nature trails, the Anderson Valley, all manner of ocean going activities, not to mention the quaint village of Mendocino.

The Rosati family is ecstatic to count John and the Glendeven team as fans.  We encourage you to make your way north either via Highway 1 or northeast on Highway 128.  You will never regret and never forget spending several days in this heavenly place.  To learn more and to make your reservations go to www.glendeven.com.  You might want to go sooner rather than later. Upcoming events include Winesong! to be held at Fort Bragg on September 10.  Sample our wine and meet one of our family members, Marc Rosati, who will be pouring our 2005 vintage.

Our very best wishes,
Danelle and Mario

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