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Sonoma derives its name from local Wappo Indians: ‘noma’ is a place, a town, or village, and ‘tso’ is an important community.
Jack London & The Valley of the Moon
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The original sacramental wines produced at the San Luis Obispo Mission earned the good padres higher revenues than any other California wine-producing mission.
York Mountain & Edna Valley Hiker’s Paradise
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Meadow Oak


wines of the sierra foothills


This large appellation encompasses much of California’s “gold country," incorporating several counties and numerous microclimates. It is roughly 160 miles long, stretching from Yuba County in the north to Mariposa County in the south, on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Despite the large total size of this appellation, there are only a few dozen wineries scattered throughout it, mostly in El Dorado and Amador counties.

The soils of the Sierra Foothills are decomposed granite formed by mountain erosion over centuries. This soil type has forced the vines to probe deeply for nutrients and water, resulting in wines that are dense with ripe fruit and plentiful structure.

The seven major grape-growing counties in the Sierra Foothills appellation are:

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Amador County [back to top]

Fiddletown

Grapes grown: Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Frenz, Le Mulet Rouge, Rabbit Hill (no website)

Shenandoah Valley

Grapes grown: Barbera, Black Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab-Shiraz, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel.

Local wineries: Sobon Estate, Villa Toscano, Young’s



Calaveras County [back to top]

Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Claret, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Orange Muscat, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Irish, Laraine, Twisted Oak



El Dorado County [back to top]

El Dorado

Grapes grown: Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Charbono, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mondeuse, Mourvèdre, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Boeger, Pescatore, Venezio

Fairplay

Grapes grown: Barbera, Black Muscat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Charles B. Mitchell, Chateau Routon, Fitzpatrick



Mariposa County [back to top]

Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Butterfly Creek, Mt. Bullion, Silver Fox



Nevada County [back to top]

Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Marsanne, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Rousanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Double Oak, Nevada City, Sierra Knolls



Placer County [back to top]

Grapes grown: Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Green Family Winery, Mt. Vernon Winery, Ophir Wines.



Yuba County [back to top]

Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah , Zinfandel

Local wineries: Clos Saron, Renaissance

From coastal waterfalls to high mountain streams

From wildflowers to redwoods

And from trail to table.

Your experience with California Wine Hikes will leave you with sensory satisfaction, rekindled vigor, and indelible memories.




“A wonderful experience. Very well planned and organized, with a really fun group of people. Russ’ considerable expertise in both explaining the flora and fauna we hiked through and the essentials of wine appreciation made the experience not just fun but educational, too.”
— Andy U., Oakland, California




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