Things to do / Travel Guide
The Sierras, California's mountainous heartland, has been a major wine area for 150 years. More precisely, it's been a Zinfandel-producing area, and today, this variety of grape shines its ruby light ever brightly. Not to say that's all they produce at these hundreds of wineries, but you'll find nary a winery not without its Zin.
These are probably the best Zinfandels in the world, and its country where people drink to health, to love and life, and to the wine itself. If you want to taste quintessential Zinfandels, areas like Amador, Calaveras, and El Dorado, will offer you dozens of alternatives. Each one's better than the last. They're also slightly more alcoholic than other wines, and it isn't unusual for your Zinfandel to be at a level of 15%.
Sierra Nevada's Amador Wineries
In Amador County you'll find the Shenandoah Valley, quite possibly the most scenic wine route in California. In these parts you'll just find vineyard after vineyard, some the oldest Zinfandel-producing in the Western Hemisphere. Renwood is considered one of the best wineries in the Shenandoah Valley, producing seven Zinfandels.
Three miles down the road towards Sutter Creek is Drytown Cellars, known for its dry Zinfandels, locally grown.
Sierra Nevada's Calaveras and El Dorado Wineries
Amador in the middle, Calaveras and Murphys to the south, and El Dorado to the north. Domaine Becquet Winery is located in a very scenic spot in Calaveras open for Friday and weekend tastings. Closer to Yosemite in the Gold Rush town of Murphys, Ironstone Vineyards offers guided tours and tasting.
El Dorado is a mountainous area, with many microclimates in imitation of the Southern Rhone and Bordeaux regions in France. The David Girard Vineyards is a fine example, very welcoming to visitors.
Wineries in Lake Tahoe, Reno, Yosemite, Sequoia, in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains
Wineries
Auriga Wine Cellars - Camino, California
Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards - Fair Play, California
DK Cellars - Fair Play, California
Easton & Terre Rouge Wines Winery - Plymouth, California
Fitzpatrick Winery and Lodge - Fair Play, California
French Hill Winery - Mokelumne Hill, California
Indian Rock Vineyards & Winery - Murphys, California
Karmere Winery & Vineyards - Plymouth, California
Lava Cap Winery - Placerville, California
Madrona Vineyards & Winery - Camino, California
Oakstone Winery - Fair Play, California
Primus Winery & Vineyards - Camino, California
Sierra Oaks Estates - Fair Play, California
Single Leaf Winery & Vineyards - Fair Play, California
Sobon Estate Winery - Plymouth, California
Story Winery & Vineyard - Plymouth, California
Twisted Oak Winery - Vallecito, California
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