El Dorado Wine Country
El Dorado Winery Association
P.O. Box 1614 Placerville, CA 95667
Phone: (800) 306-3956
Email: info@eldoradowines.org
Nestled between pine trees and vine covered hills is a place the gold thirsty once flocked to; now this mountainous California AVA is made for attracting thirsty winos. Famed for its sun-drenched hillsides, warm daytime temperatures, and volcanic, decomposed granite soils, many vines reach elevations from 1,200 to 3,500 feet. As explained, "The El Dorado appellation is unique due to its high elevation and complex topography. El Dorado's mountain vineyards are perched at elevations high above the valley, where cooling breezes off the Sierra Nevada and the mountainous topography create a diversity of microclimates and growing conditions not found in other regions in valley settings.
El Dorado is cooled by elevation rather than by the fog that is common to the coastal regions. This means the grapes receive more direct sunlight, thus ripening fully without retaining excess herbaceous characters or acidity that is out of balance with the fruit flavors. El Dorado's relatively cool temperatures also allow the grapes a long "hang time" for uniform ripening.
El Dorado is cooled by elevation rather than by the fog that is common to the coastal regions. This means the grapes receive more direct sunlight, thus ripening fully without retaining excess herbaceous characters or acidity that is out of balance with the fruit flavors. El Dorado's relatively cool temperatures also allow the grapes a long "hang time" for uniform ripening.
In conjunction with the climate, there are three basic soil types determining the characteristics of the region: fine-grained volcanic rock, decomposed granite and fine-grained shale. Varying in elevation and topography, each soil offers good drainage and the nutrients needed to encourage vines producing rich, deeply flavored grapes."
With vines at a higher elevation, wine becomes more concentrated. Higher up means more sun time, which leads to riper pips and tannins; the high elevation also contributes to cool nighttime temperatures which gives these wines a heightened acidity and flavor characteristics like no other.
Popular Grape Varieties:
Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Barbera, Chardonnay; you will also see a variety of Italian and Spanish varieties being grown here.
Madroña Vineyards
madronavineyards.com
FB
2560 High Hill Road Camino, CA 95709
Phone: (530) 644-5948
Hours:
Monday-Sunday 11AM-5PM
Service: Knowledgeable and welcoming staff.
Tasting Tools: Good engraved glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Good lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room, and their website.
Cost: Complimentary tasting, wine list alternates every 2 weeks
Picnic Prospects: Wooded area with pine trees for shade and a few wooden picnic benches to sit on.
Lava Cap Winery
www.lavacap.com
FB
2221 Fruitridge Road Placerville, CA 95667
Phone: (530) 621-0175
Hours:
Monday-Sunday 10AM-5PM
Service: Servers were friendly, and informative about their product. If you have many questions come prepared! This winery can get quite busy, and the servers may not be able to spend a lot of time with you.
Tasting Tools: Good glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Good lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room, their website, supermarkets, and many wine shops throughout California.
Cost: Complimentary tasting flight of 5 wines for free. Reserve wines tasting $5, waived with bottle purchase.
Picnic Prospects: There is a lovely deck with tables. Take a walk downstairs and you'll see a group of shaded tables where you can sit, enjoy, and take in the view of their vineyards.
Jodar Winery
www.jodarwinery.com
FB
3405 Carson Court Placerville, CA 95667
Phone: (530) 644-3474
Hours:
Monday-Sunday 11AM-5PM
"Overlooking the sheer American River Canyon below, the steeply terraced Jodar vineyard is located near the edge of El Dorado National Forest at 2,400 feet elevation in an area the locals know as "Mosquito" in California's "Mother Lode" gold country. The Jodar family literally blasted the vineyard from the granite hillside in 1985 to launch a journey, which is still in progress. In the spring of 1986 the task of carving terraces in the steep and rocky terrain was completed, and a small army of friends and relatives was recruited to plant the first 4,200 vines.
In March 1997 the tasting room was relocated from the remoteness of the vineyard site across the river to the neighboring "Apple Hill" area of Camino, California.
The original plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay produce about 5,000 cases of wine annually. In 1995 a world-class Port joined the Estate Bottled lineup, with Zinfandel added to production in 1997 and Sangiovese in 1999. In 2001 the first bordeaux blend was produced "Apollo's Lyre" which earned an international Double Gold Medal, followed by Gold Medal winning Barbera and Cab Franc. More acreage waits to be developed, along with more varieties to be mastered." ~Jodar
Atmosphere: An Italian villa in the woods and luckily there is some delicious wine inside. Knowing that this area of California snows during the winter, I really wouldn't mind getting stuck in their cozy little tasting room.
Service: This place was hands down one of the best tasting experiences I've ever had! Mitch Foster, the lead tasting room associate was extremely knowledgeable of his product, and the wine making region as a whole. I was given a barrel tasting after my initial tasting. I learned some tips and tricks to quickly aerating my wine and getting the most out of the nose and palate. I left this place with a better mood and more knowledge than I came in with, and yes I am always giddy when it comes to wine touring and tasting.
Tasting Tools: Big engraved glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. House made chips accompanied by their homemade salsa, absolutely delicious! Great lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room, and their website.
Cost: $5 tasting fee for groups of 8 or more.
Picnic Prospects: There's a beautiful deck to sit on and bask in nature, or take a seat in one of the rocking chairs and ponder about the many aromas coming from your glass.
Boeger Winery
www.boegerwinery.com
FB
1709 Carson Road, Placerville, CA 95667
Phone: (530) 622-8094
Hours:
Monday-Sunday 10AM-5PM
A winery long before, and luckily a winery that has lasted long after Prohibition.
In 1972 the Boeger family bought the property and became the first modern day (post-Prohibition) winery in the El Dorado AVA. What started out as an experiment with Italian varieties in this part of California, later on became Boeger's golden ticket.
High elevation, steep foothills giving way to a variety of micro-climates, warm growing days and cool nights set up the scene for the Italian varieties that play the perfect part for Boeger's production. "Spanish and Italian varietals do particularly well at the Boeger estate. The most notable of which is our most popular wine, Barbera. Known for it's bright, intense fruit, luscious palate and food-worthy acidity, Barbera is the pride of Boeger Winery. With over 130 medals in the years that we've produced it, it is consistent in its quality and likability year to year." ~Boeger
Atmosphere: A friendly and welcoming tasting room with a large wooden tasting bar, which ties the room together. There are also souvenirs and wine gifts available for purchase as well as a fridge full of snacks and lots of delicious local cheeses to choose from if you are feeling hungry.
Service: Attentive and knowledgeable staff; the staff does their best to answer all of your questions even though they can get quite busy.
Tasting Tools: Small tasting glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Great lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room, website, and can be found in wine shops.
Cost: $5 flight of 6, fee waived with wine purchase. Reserve, Library & Limited Wine tasting $15/person, includes a logo glass.
Picnic Prospects: Stunning grounds, the original tasting room is just outside the new one, and you can even spot some vintage wine making tools around the winery.
Hideaway, and take a seat on one of the benches hidden in the wooded areas overlooking a pond. There is also a large grassy area perfect for picnics.
With vines at a higher elevation, wine becomes more concentrated. Higher up means more sun time, which leads to riper pips and tannins; the high elevation also contributes to cool nighttime temperatures which gives these wines a heightened acidity and flavor characteristics like no other.
Popular Grape Varieties:
Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Barbera, Chardonnay; you will also see a variety of Italian and Spanish varieties being grown here.
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| Lava Cap Winery Tips For Wine Touring: Follow The Local: Living in Asia or Taiwan to be exact, I not only get the chance meet and make friends with locals, but also with fellow expats and foreigners that come to visit for work, pleasure, or for whatever reason. There are quite a few American IT companies based in Taiwan so at times I would have the chance to meet fellow Californians that happened to be in Taiwan for workshops or expositions. If you have a friend or meet someone from a wine producing country, ask them what wines they like, their favorite wine region in their country, and/or advice about the region they live near. A lot of times, these people have been visiting the tasting rooms, and drinking the nearby regional wine for years; this may give you the perfect opportunity to learn about, and taste from a region you may know little about. Cheers and thank you to Sean the inspiration for the "follow the local concept" and his lovely wife Katie Abercrombie for being my host and showing me around the El Dorado AVA wine region, having me over for a lovely BBQ and delighting me with an evening of wine and great conversation. Forest Getaway/Camping Trip: The Sierra Foothills is a popular destination for people that are looking to do a weekend bed & breakfast in the forest and just take a rest far from the city. Camping or renting a cabin in the area also gives one the perfect chance to go tasting at some of the local wineries, bring a few bottles back to the cabin, and relax with a glass instead of having to drive all the way back to the city. Check out the links below on tips for where to stay. Cheers and happy tasting! Camping: ~ www.sierrafoothillmagazine.com ~ camp-california.com Sierra Foothills Lodging: www.winecountrygetaways.com ~ www.touringandtasting.com El Dorado County Vacation Rentals: ~ www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals  |
Madroña Vineyards
madronavineyards.com
FB
2560 High Hill Road Camino, CA 95709
Phone: (530) 644-5948
Hours:
Monday-Sunday 11AM-5PM
Founded in 1973 this vineyard prides its self in high-elevation winemaking. "Madroña’s exceptional mountain elevation vineyards offer perfect growing conditions for the wide range of Rhône and Bordeaux varietals we grow here. Well-drained soil and mild temperatures throughout the year produce grapes with mild acidity and optimal maturity. This distinctive fruit creates the perfect foundation for our unique family of estate grown and bottled wines." ~Madroña
Atmosphere: A wooden tasting room from the inside and out, contributing to the log cabin feel this wine region gives off. There's a fairly large tasting bar, and the list of wines available to try are posted on a board behind the bar; there are 27 wines in all, but tasting is limited to 10 and the tasting list switches every two weeks. The little black cat that roams around the tasting room just makes this place feel even more homely.Service: Knowledgeable and welcoming staff.
Tasting Tools: Good engraved glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Good lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room, and their website.
Cost: Complimentary tasting, wine list alternates every 2 weeks
Picnic Prospects: Wooded area with pine trees for shade and a few wooden picnic benches to sit on.
Lava Cap Winery
www.lavacap.com
FB
2221 Fruitridge Road Placerville, CA 95667
Phone: (530) 621-0175
Hours:
Monday-Sunday 10AM-5PM
Apart from Lava Cap having wonderfully perfumed white wines, Italian, and Rhone Varietal reds as well as their terroir expressive Zinfandel; Lava Cap has a unique story to tell. Why Lava Cap? What makes the name so special? Well...."Millions of years ago, the Sierra Nevada mountains roiled with volcanic activity, and lava flowed down from the mountains, covering the foothills. Over thousands of years, much of the hardened lava deteriorated away, but select areas in the Sierra Nevada foothills still have volcanic soil, which can produce fine wine grapes. The Jones family purchased one of the few special sites with volcanic soil to start their vineyard and winery. They decided to name the new business "Lava Cap" because it reflects this unique topography of the site. This "lava cap" is one of the reasons why their wines are so special." ~Lava Cap
Volcanic soil, what's the big deal?
Decomposed volcanic soils are said to be great for retaining water, which is perfect for dry regions such as Sierra Foothill wine country.
Atmosphere: From the outside the tasting room somewhat resembles a barn, upon walking into their rustic tasting room, it was hard not to notice their charming wood beam ceiling with antique Tiffany stained glass lamps hanging above. Volcanic soil, what's the big deal?
Decomposed volcanic soils are said to be great for retaining water, which is perfect for dry regions such as Sierra Foothill wine country.
Service: Servers were friendly, and informative about their product. If you have many questions come prepared! This winery can get quite busy, and the servers may not be able to spend a lot of time with you.
Tasting Tools: Good glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Good lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room, their website, supermarkets, and many wine shops throughout California.
Cost: Complimentary tasting flight of 5 wines for free. Reserve wines tasting $5, waived with bottle purchase.
Picnic Prospects: There is a lovely deck with tables. Take a walk downstairs and you'll see a group of shaded tables where you can sit, enjoy, and take in the view of their vineyards.
Jodar Winery
www.jodarwinery.com
FB
3405 Carson Court Placerville, CA 95667
Phone: (530) 644-3474
Hours:
Monday-Sunday 11AM-5PM
"Overlooking the sheer American River Canyon below, the steeply terraced Jodar vineyard is located near the edge of El Dorado National Forest at 2,400 feet elevation in an area the locals know as "Mosquito" in California's "Mother Lode" gold country. The Jodar family literally blasted the vineyard from the granite hillside in 1985 to launch a journey, which is still in progress. In the spring of 1986 the task of carving terraces in the steep and rocky terrain was completed, and a small army of friends and relatives was recruited to plant the first 4,200 vines.
In March 1997 the tasting room was relocated from the remoteness of the vineyard site across the river to the neighboring "Apple Hill" area of Camino, California.
The original plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay produce about 5,000 cases of wine annually. In 1995 a world-class Port joined the Estate Bottled lineup, with Zinfandel added to production in 1997 and Sangiovese in 1999. In 2001 the first bordeaux blend was produced "Apollo's Lyre" which earned an international Double Gold Medal, followed by Gold Medal winning Barbera and Cab Franc. More acreage waits to be developed, along with more varieties to be mastered." ~Jodar
Atmosphere: An Italian villa in the woods and luckily there is some delicious wine inside. Knowing that this area of California snows during the winter, I really wouldn't mind getting stuck in their cozy little tasting room.
Service: This place was hands down one of the best tasting experiences I've ever had! Mitch Foster, the lead tasting room associate was extremely knowledgeable of his product, and the wine making region as a whole. I was given a barrel tasting after my initial tasting. I learned some tips and tricks to quickly aerating my wine and getting the most out of the nose and palate. I left this place with a better mood and more knowledge than I came in with, and yes I am always giddy when it comes to wine touring and tasting.
Tasting Tools: Big engraved glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. House made chips accompanied by their homemade salsa, absolutely delicious! Great lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room, and their website.
Cost: $5 tasting fee for groups of 8 or more.
Picnic Prospects: There's a beautiful deck to sit on and bask in nature, or take a seat in one of the rocking chairs and ponder about the many aromas coming from your glass.
www.boegerwinery.com
FB
1709 Carson Road, Placerville, CA 95667
Phone: (530) 622-8094
Hours:
Monday-Sunday 10AM-5PM
A winery long before, and luckily a winery that has lasted long after Prohibition.
In 1972 the Boeger family bought the property and became the first modern day (post-Prohibition) winery in the El Dorado AVA. What started out as an experiment with Italian varieties in this part of California, later on became Boeger's golden ticket.
High elevation, steep foothills giving way to a variety of micro-climates, warm growing days and cool nights set up the scene for the Italian varieties that play the perfect part for Boeger's production. "Spanish and Italian varietals do particularly well at the Boeger estate. The most notable of which is our most popular wine, Barbera. Known for it's bright, intense fruit, luscious palate and food-worthy acidity, Barbera is the pride of Boeger Winery. With over 130 medals in the years that we've produced it, it is consistent in its quality and likability year to year." ~Boeger
Service: Attentive and knowledgeable staff; the staff does their best to answer all of your questions even though they can get quite busy.
Tasting Tools: Small tasting glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Great lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room, website, and can be found in wine shops.
Cost: $5 flight of 6, fee waived with wine purchase. Reserve, Library & Limited Wine tasting $15/person, includes a logo glass.
Picnic Prospects: Stunning grounds, the original tasting room is just outside the new one, and you can even spot some vintage wine making tools around the winery.
Hideaway, and take a seat on one of the benches hidden in the wooded areas overlooking a pond. There is also a large grassy area perfect for picnics.
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