HOPLAND, Calif. – The town of Hopland’s legendary Passport Weekend returns April 30 and May 1 with new wineries on the itinerary and dozens of activities that celebrate Mendocino County as “America’s Greenest Wine Region.”

Traditionally held every year on the first weekend in May, the event entitles all those with a “passport” to sample the area’s sustainable, organic and estate-produced wines paired with local food products, meet the winemakers and vintners, explore the history and culture of this beautiful wine destination and purchase these unique, locally produced products.

This year, 16 of America’s “greenest wineries” will welcome visitors between 11a.m. and 5 p.m.

Tickets include a Passport wine glass, entry to all wine tastings and food pairings, entertainment and drawings for over thirty prizes.

Tickets can be purchased at www.hoplandpassport.com and are $35 per person, $45 the day of the event, (free for designated drivers).

On Saturday April 30, shuttles run by the MTA will circulate between all participating wineries throughout the day, stopping at each winery approximately every 30 minutes. A Shuttle Pass is $15 and is good for Saturday only.

For the first time, wines from Parducci Wine Cellars, will be poured during the two-day passport weekend thanks to a new partnership with the Real Goods Store at the Solar Living Center in Hopland. Parducci, called by Forbes Magazine “America’s Greenest Winery,” is the nation's first carbon-neutral winery.

Also new to Hopland Passport this year is Cesar Toxqui Cellars, who recently opened a tasting room in downtown Hopland. Toxqui and his family invite participants to stop by and taste his handcrafted, small-batch artisan Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Heirloom wines, all of which are produced using sustainable, traditional methods.

The history of grape growing and winemaking in the Hopland Valley dates to the early 1900s, and today consists of a third of the vineyards in Mendocino County, many operated by second- and third-generation farmers who honor the region’s rich tradition by respecting the land, air and water that give it its character.

Participating wineries include: Brutocao Cellars, Campovida, Cesar Toxqui Cellars, Graziano Family of Wines, Jaxon Keys Winery, Jeriko Estate, McDowell Valley Vineyards, McFadden Vineyards, McNab Ridge Winery, Milano Winery, Nelson Family Vineyards, Parducci Wine Cellars, Patianna Vineyards, Rack & Riddle, Saracina, Terra Savia and Weibel Family Vineyards.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.hoplandpassport.com or contact Destination Hopland Association at 1-800-433-3689.