Terra d'Oro: Italy’s Wine Tradition Shines As Bright As Gold
Terra d’Oro, Italian for land of gold, was named to honor Italian prospectors who came to Amador County during the California Gold rush. Whether or not these pioneers discovered gold, they are credited with planting a different kind of treasure: the region’s first Zinfandel and Italian grape varieties.
Today, in the heart of Amador County’ s Shenandoah Valley, Terra d’Oro is dedicated to handcrafting food-friendly, balanced wines that capture the intensity and essence of the land. Since its grapes come from approximately 600 acres across several different vineyards, Terra d’Oro is able to identify separate, distinguishing characteristics that lead to wondersfully diverse styles of Zinfandel. Terra d’Oro considers Zinfandel to be its passion, and vintage after vintage, its wines are well received. Case in point, Wine Enthusiast gave the non-vintage Amador County Zinfandel Port 93 points and an Editor’s Choice nod.
Beyond the Port, the Amador County Zin, and three single vineyard Zins, Terra d’Oro presents an inspired list of hearty Italian varietals including Moscato, Pinot Grigio, Barbera, Sangiovese, Aglianico, Teroldego, and Petite Sirah which is available only in the tasting room.
Several of these Italian varietals are rarely found in the tasting rooms of Amador County. For example the Aglianico grape is one of the world’s oldest wine grapes planted at 1,000 feet above sea level or higher. Terra d’Oro’s 2009 Aglianico tickles the nose with warm, sweet oak and rich spice aromas then brightens the mouth with an abundance of cherries, cranberry, and a hint of pomegranate. The 2010 Terra d’Oro Teroldego greets the nose with pomegranate, blackberries and spice then fills the mouth with cherry and plum.
At Terra d’Oro, the goal is to make its entire portfolio of Zinfandel and Italian wines shine in a way that best reflects the rich terroir and heritage of Amador County.