What follows is the most recent entry on travel recommendations, for Sierra foothill wineries. All comments welcome, as usual.
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3e. Amador/El Dorado Counties? These two counties are located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains and are best known as “gold country” during the California Gold Rush. Increasingly, they are producing some very good wine, especially Zinfandel, Rhone and Italian varieties. Despite their increased elevation, these regions have rather hot and dry growing conditions, so they tend to produce fairly big wines. Because of its distance from the big cities of California (but closest to Sacramento) this region is still fairly relaxed and friendly to tourists, with most wineries still not charging tasting fees. You can drive from San Francisco to Plymouth in Amador County in 2 hours, so it’s a difficult day trip unless you like driving mountain roads in the dark after wine tasting. Amador County is the better known of the two, with wine production centered in its Shenandoah Valley located near Plymouth. El Dorado County’s wine production is located in its Southern region near Placerville.
Wineries:
Amador Foothills (Amador) – Zinfandel, Sangiovese and Carignan, all good Dobra Zemlja (Amador) – Syrah and Viognier Easton/Terre Rouge (Amador) – Stylish Zinfandels and high quality Syrah Karly (Amador) – Big Zinfandels, especially their “Warrior Fires” and Syrah Renwood (Amador) – Very big Zinfandels, most commercial of Amador wineries Sobon Estate (Amador) – Zinfandel Vino Noceto (Amador) – Possibly the best Sangiovese in California
Boeger (El Dorado) – Italian varities Cedarville* (El Dorado) – First rate and well-priced Rhone wines, Cab and Zin Firefall (El Dorado) – Syrah and Sangiovese at great prices Holly’s Hill (El Dorado) – Syrah and Sangiovese Sierra Vista (El Dorado) – Established producer of Rhone varieties and Zinfandel
- By appointment only
Lodging:
Fitzpatrick Lodge (Fair Play) – B&B in El Dorado wine country Placerville Best Western – Decent rooms, good prices St. George Hotel (Volcano) – Historic, gold rush hotel restored as an inn Shenandoah Inn (Plymouth) – Quiet hotel in Amador County Imperial Hotel (Amador City) – Restored Victorian inn
Dining:
Taste (Plymouth) – Fine dining in Amador County Zachary-Jacques (Placerville) – Fine dining in El Dorado County Shenandoah Inn (Plymouth) – Casual dining, good wine list
Websites:
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Mark Lipton