There’s a little gem of a wine country just about halfway between Sacramento, California and Reno, Nevada that’s too easy to find to call hidden.
For more than 30 years, Chuck Hovey has consistently crafted exceptional award-winning Sierra Foothills wines worthy of international recognition.
At the end of a tree-lined road in Placerville, California, Lava Cap Winery greets guests with a simple charm all its own.
Paul and his wife Maggie of Madro�a Vineyards continue the Old World winemaking practices Paul’s father began.
First-time visitors to nine-year-old Miraflores, located in the Sierra Foothills, often remark that the winery building, reminiscent of a Tuscan retreat, looks as though it has been there for decades.
Surrounded by rolling hills and streams in the heart of the Sierra Foothills, Renwood Winery is experiencing an exciting resurgence, reminiscent of the California Gold Rush days.
Skinner Vineyards & Winery’s stunning new tasting room is located at the very top of the Skinner property, located in the Sierra Foothills, offering panoramic views in all directions.
Terra d’Oro, Italian for land of gold, is credited with planting a different kind of treasure: the region’s first Zinfandel and Italian grape varieties.
The Victoria Inn is an intimate, 19-room luxury bed and breakfast in the heart of California’s gold country.
MEETINGS & EVENTS David Girard Vineyards Helwig Vineyards & Winery Pilot Peak Vineyard & Winery Renwood Winery PICNICS Boeger Winery Deaver Vineyards Madroña Vineyards Miraflores Naggier Vineyards Sierra Knolls Vineyard & Winery WEDDINGS Cielo Estate David Girard Winery SCENIC VIEWS Andis Wines Gold Hill Lava Cap Winery Mount Aukum Winery Skinner Vineyards & Winery Story Winery R&R Arnold Black Bear Inn, Arnold GlenMorey Country House, Placerville Sierra Mountain Inn, Grass Valley The Foxes Inn of Sutter Creek Victoria Inn, Murphys
Along with picks and shovels, people brought grapevines to the Sierra Foothills in the mid-1800s. And it’s good thing they did! Once planted, many of the vineyards in this region operated non-stop, even during the Prohibition years. In fact, Amador County is reported to be the only county in the United States to expand vineyard acreage during Prohibition, with the grapes sold to home winemakers. Today, this region is blessed with small, distinctive vineyards and wineries, beautiful scenery, quiet gold rush towns, and fresh mountain air.
The vineyards, located between 1,500 and 3,000 feet, are planted in well-drained, rich soils. Warm, sun-drenched days followed by cool, crisp nights yield grapes of remarkable intensity. And intense grapes produce wines with magnificent flavor profiles: pure gold.
Join Editor-in-Chief, Wendy Van Diver on her editor's tour of the Sierra Foothills.
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Here we ask some of the Sierra Foothills’ inspired winemakers what they enjoy most about winemaking and the Sierra Foothills.
When we’re talking about the sierra foothills, the first word that comes to the visitor’s mind is “breathtaking.” Pick a trail and drive through hills, valleys, old mining towns, and untouched fields.
Nearly everywhere we turn we find another great area to tour, taste, and stay! Here are our seven top regions to watch—and visit—in the summer and fall of 2011.
Here are our seven top wine regions to watch for Spring 2011. They’re located in all parts of the United States—in the valleys of Columbia, Temecula, and Livermore, and in the counties of Fresno, Fauquier, Scotland, and Ventura—but they all have one thing in common: they’re interesting places to visit with great wines.
The foothill range of the Sierra Nevada Mountains was dubbed “Gold Country” during the great California Gold Rush more than 150 years ago. The region is still referred to that way—and maybe for good reason. Here, the vineyards, located between 1,500 and 3,000 feet, are planted in well-drained, rich soils. Warm, sun-drenched days followed by cool, crisp nights yield grapes of remarkable intensity. And intense grapes produce wines with magnificent flavor profiles: pure gold.
Although the California Gold Rush of 1849 is long past, the quaint towns and fertile land of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains still whisper "gold".
Delicious fall recipes that go great with wines from Sierra Foothills wine country.
Madrona Vineyards thanks it's loyal customers with wine, music and food at it's Annual Open House.
Five El Dorado county wineries in a region known for Rhone-style wines will celebrate local wine and food during the 10th Annual Rocks & Rhones Festival on MemorialDay Weekend.
How to better say “Happy Father’s Day” than Bacon? Treat that special Dad to a Bacon Brunch at Terra d' Oro's beautiful vineyard ringed patio and enjoy their award-winning wines. Terra d' Oro will be featuring the culinary talents of Dave and his staff from Off the Vine Catering to dazzle the senses with all things Bacon! They will be pairing a pre-Summer selection of their amazing wines that will be included in the price tag.
Fathers will receive 15% off all wine purchases. Imagine Bacon….And a taste of Terra d’ Oro for your Father’s Day celebration!
Tickets are $25 for the General Public and $20 for Club Members. Seating is limited to 150, so call now to reserve your spot!
Terra d’Oro Winery will be hosting its Fifth Annual Cru-Zin in the Vineyard Car Show on July 4, 2013, between 10 am & 4 pm. Terra d’Oro Winery enthusiastically invites you to participate in this day of fun in the sun surrounded by their award winning Zinfandel Vineyards!
Celebrate the release of Madrona Vineyard's Nebbiolo with Italian festivities including: lunch, gelato, cheese and barrel tasting.
Enjoy a felicious BBQ dinner under the Oaks to celebrate the start of the 2013 harvest at Madrona Vineyards.
Enjoy a delicious lunch as Madrona Vineyards feature their newly harvested wines.
Enjoy music from local artists and excellently prepared food from food vendors as Madrona Vineyards serves wine and soup.
Celebrate 2013 at Madrona Vineyards with Madrona's Estate Grown Sparkling wine at this black tie (optional) event!