CALIFORNIA-Sierra Foothills

SIERRA FOOTHILLS IS–  AVA.’S– 6     Counties– 7     @Plymouth

  • WHITE= Albariño, Arneis, Chardonnay, Fiano, Marsanne, Muscat Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Muscat Orange, Picpoul Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Giallo, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Savagnin, Verdelho, Verdejo, Vermentino, Viognier
  • RED= Barbara, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Charbono, Cinsault, Gamay, Garnacha, Graciano, Malbec, Merlot, Mission, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Petite Manseng, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Sangiovese, Souzao, Tempranillo, Tourigo Nacional, Valdique, Zinfandel

GEOGRAPHY– California(Central-Interior), REGION-Sierra Foothills

  • Western Foothills of Sierra Mountains, LATITUDE: 39.21° ‘N‘
  • 40 Miles East of Napa, (160 Miles Long),  @Hw.#4/ 49/ 50
  • BETWEEN-Central Valley and Sierra Nevada Mountain Range
  • COUNTIES-Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Tuolome, Yuba
  • Sub-Zones/ AVA.’s– El Dorado AVA., Fairplay AVA., Fiddletown AVA., North Yuba AVA., Shenandoah Valley AVA., Sierra Foothills AVA.

TOPOGRAPHY– “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”

  • SLOPES/ Sierra Nevada Mountains(West), +Alt. 1,4000ft.- 3,000ft.
  • **Refer to “CLIMATE/ Altitudes” For Additional Information.

SOILS– “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, “Volcanic”, Decomposed Granite

  • Soil Series- ~Ahwahnee Series~

CLIMATE– “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influence, +Diurnal Shifts(+40°)

  • *Summers– Hot, Dry   |   *Winters– Rainy, Snow
  • CHALLENGES– Spring Frost, +WINDS/ ~Alpine~

VITICULUTRE–  2,600,000 ac./ 5,700 ac. Planted

  • CHALLENGES–  Spring Frosts, Extreme Heat +100°
  • Historical Vineyard Society-
    • Aparicio(HVS.,*1930’s)    @Amador County
    • Deaver(Zinfandel)(HVS.,*1860’s)     @Shenandoah Valley AVA.
    • Deaver(HVS.,*1960’s)     @Shenandoah Valley AVA.
    • Di Stasio(HVS.,*1960’s)     @Shenandoah Valley AVA.
    • Grandpere(HVS.,*1869)    @Shenandoah Valley AVA.
    • Rinaldi(Eschen)(HVS.,*1920)      @Fiddletown AVA.
    • Rocky Top(Sobon)(HVS.,*1920)      @Shenandoah Valley AVA.
    • T.C.(HVS.,1900’s)     @Shenandoah Valley AVA.

HISTORY

  • 1848 @Sierra Foothills– “Gold Rush”, Gold Was Found at Sutter Creek.
    • During the 1850’s the Europeans Looking to Immigrate to America Came to California to Fulfill Their New World Dreams and Mine For Gold. Most of These Immigrants Were From Italy and Brought With Them Cutting From Their Homeland to Plant and Farm.

**Refer to “CALIFORNIA/ Overview” For Detailed Information On California as a Wine State.

YUBA COUNTY     @Entire County

  • WHITE=   |   RED= **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Grape Variety Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills, COUNTY-Yuba
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA., BORDERS-Nevada County(South-East)
    • Sub-Zones/ AVA.’s- North Yuba AVA.
  • VITICULTURE- Labeled– “YUBA COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.

NORTH YUBA AVA.     @Grass Valley

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Rousanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier
  • RED= Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA.(North), COUNTY– Yuba
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA.,  @Hw.#20,  LATITUDE: 37.5°- 39.21° ‘N‘
    • Sub-Zones- Oregon House        Dobbins
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Nevada Mountains, +Alt. 1,500ft.- 2,000ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”
  • CLIMATE- “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influence
  • VITICULTURE-   ? ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers– Renaissance
    • Vineyards- Renaissance“Estate”

NEVADA COUNTY*     @Entire County

  • WHITE=   |   RED= **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Grape Variety Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA.(North), COUNTY-Nevada
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA., @Hw.#49/ #80/ #89
    • BORDERS-California, Yuba County(North), Placer County(South)
    • Sub-Zones- Chicago Park, Grass Valley, Nevada City, Penn Valley
  • VITICULTURE- Labeled– “NEVADA COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.
    • Estates/ Producers– Avanguardia, Double Oak, Montoliva, Naggiar, Pruity(Nat.Pro.), Solune

PLACER COUNTY*       @Entire County 

  • WHITE=   |   RED= **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Grape Variety Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA., COUNTY-Placer
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA., @Hw.#80/ #89
    • BORDERS-Nevada Country(North), El Dorado County(South)
  • VITICULTURE- Labeled– “PLACER COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.

EL DORADO COUNTY*      @Entire County

  • WHITE=   |   RED= **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Grape Variety Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA., COUNTY-El Dorado
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA., @Hw.#49/ #50,
    • BORDERS-Placer Country(South), Amador County(North)
    • Sub-Zones- Apple Hill, Georgetown, Fair Play, Mt. Aukum, Placerville, Pleasant Valley
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”, +Alt. 3,100 ft.
  • VINICULTURE- Labeled– “El DORADO COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.
    • Estates/ Producers–(Not Located In Demarcated AVA.)– Cantiga, Grace Patriot, Rodin, Rootdown, Ursa, Wofford Acres
    • Vineyards-(Not Located In Demarcated AVA.)– Dry Bone, Duarte(250 ac.), Donkey & Goat, Eliza Barsotti, Fenaughty, Hawk Creek, Rosa Cavina, Starfield
  • CULTURE-
    • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~El Dorada Grapes Growers~
      • Mission~ To Promote Premium Wine Grape Growing and the Wine Grape Industry In El Dorado County.
  • GOING THERE–
    • WINE TRAILS~  ~Apple Hill Wine Trail~,  ~Carson Road Wineries~

EL DORADO*AVA.     @Placerville

  • WHITE= Chardonnay 6%, Arneis, Fiano, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino
  • RED= Zinfandel 11%, Barbera 8%, Syrah 5%, Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dolcetto, Gamay, Garnacha, Graciano, Merlot, Poulard, Primitivo, Souzao, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA., COUNTY-El Dorado
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA., @Hw.#49/ #50, Sub-Zones/ AVA.’s– Fair Play AVA.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Nevada Mountains, +Alt. 1,200ft.- 3,366ft.
    • On~Middle Fork of American~River~
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, Sand, Clay, Loam, Granite, Petrified Lava Ash
  • CLIMATE- “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influence
  • VITICULTURE- 428 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers–(Not Found In Demarcated Sub-Zone)– Bone-Jolly, David Girard, Donkey & Goat, E16, Gold Hill, Gros Ventre, Hart 2 Hart, Jose Wine Caves, Rome Valley, RPM.
    • Vineyards- Baby Rattlesnake, Barsotti, Camino Alto, Eliza, Stoney Creek, White Oaks Flats, Witters
  • SUB-ZONES Of El DORADO AVA.
    • PLACERVILLE– Wineries- Boeger(E.), Edio, Felton Herriott, Lava Cap(E.), Lewis Grace, Nello Olivo, Smokey Ridge, Starfield
      • Culture- Placerville Was Histoically Called “Hangtown”.
    • CAMINO– Wineries- Boa Vista, Bolsters Hilltop, Cristal Basin, Jodar, Madrona, Red Poets, Rucksack
    • PLEASANT VALLEY– Wineries- Auriga, Bechard, Busby, Cantiga, Holly Hill, Mais Fica, Miraflores, Narrow Gate(Bio. Dyn.), Saluti, Sierra Vista, Ursa

**El Dorado Images Courtesy of Delong Maps, Purchase These Maps at Delongwine.com

FAIRPLAY*AVA.     @Plymouth

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
  • RED= Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, COUNTY-El Dorado, @Hw.#49,  LATITUDE: 38.48° ‘N‘
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA./ El Dorada AVA.(South)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”, On~Cosumnes~River~
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Nevada Mountains, +Alt. 2,000ft.- 2,615ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, Decomposed Granite
  • CLIMATE- “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influence
  • VITICULTURE- ? ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers– Charles B. Mitchell, Easton, Mellowood, Mount Aukum, Obscurity, Perry Creek, Toogood
    • Vineyards– Capelli Ranch, Cedarville, Paso Vista, Sentivo, Serendipity Hill, Shake Ridge, Skinner(HVS.)
  • CULTURE-
    • PIONEERS~ ~James Skinner~ Scottish Gold Miner Who’s Skinner Vineyards In Was One of the First In Sierra Foothills.
  • GOING THERE–
    • WINE-TRAILS~ ~Fairplay Wine Trail~

AMADOR COUNTY*     @Entire County

  • WHITE=   |   RED= **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Grape Variety Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY– California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA., COUNTY-Amador
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA., @Hw.#49/ #88
    • BORDERS-El Dorado Country(North), Calaveras County(South)
    • Sub-Zones/ AVA.’s–  Fiddletown AVA., Shenandoah Valley AVA.
  • VITICULTURE- Labeled– “AMADOR COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to anAVA.
    • Estates/ Producers– Avio, Bella Grace, Charles Spinetta, Convergence, Dillian, Dobra Zemlja, Drytown Cellars, Estey, Iron Hub, Linsteadt, Macchia, Nua Dair, Rombauer, Scott Harvey, Sera Fina, Snake Ridge, Tanks, Wine Tree
    • Vineyards– Aparicio(HVS.,*1930’s), Beldinelli/ Dickson(HVS.), Bella Grace“Estate”, Bill Dillian(10ac.), Boeger(HVS.), Fox Creek(HVS.), Lubenko(HVS.), Massoni(HVS.), St. Amant

SHENANDOAH VALLEY*AVA.     @Plymouth

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Mocato, Muscat(Orange), Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho, Viognier
    RED= Zinfandel 16%, Primitivo 11%, Barbera 10%, Petite Sirah 10%, Sangiovese 8%, Syrah 8%, Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Mission, Mourvèdre, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA.(South), @Hw.#49
    • BORDERS-Fiddletown AVA.(South-East)
    • COUNTIES-(Laps)Amador & El Dorado, In Sierra Foothills AVA.
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley(Shenandoah)”
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Nevada Mountains, +Alt. 1,400ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, Granite, Sandy Loam
  • CLIMATE- “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influence
  • VITICULTURE- 2,000 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers– Amador Cellars(15ac.), Andis(22ac.), Belledor, Borjon, Bray, Cooper, Di Stasio, Helwig, Jeff Runquist, Karmere, La Mesa, Mountevina, Renwood*, Paul J., Runquist(E./10ac.), Scott Harvey, Shenandoah Cellars, Sobon, Di Stasio, Story, Terre Rouge/ Easton, TKC, Turley, Torra D’Oro(E./280ac.), Villa Toscano, Vino Noceto, Young’s
    • Vineyards– D’Agostini, Deaver(HVS.,*1860’s), Grandpere(HVS.,*1869), Karmere“Estate”, Quartz Hill, Rocky Top(Sobon)(HVS.,*1920), Di Stasio(HVS.,*1960’s), Sentinel Oak, Sobon, T.C.(HVS.,*1900’s)
  • CULTURE- FESTIVALS~ ~Barbera Festival~ (September/ Sierra Foothills)
  • GOING THERE-
    • WINE-TRAILS~ ~Shenandoah Valley~ Shenandoah School/ Dickson/ Bell/ Steiner Roads

FIDDLETOWN*AVA.      @Fiddletown

  • WHITE= Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier
  • RED= Zinfandel 85%, Barbera, Grenache, Petit Sirah, Syrah
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA.(South), COUNTY-Amador
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA., @Hw.#49,
    • BORDERS-Shenandoah Valley AVA.(North-West)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Nevada Mountains, +Alt. 1,500ft.- 2,500ft
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”
  • CLIMATE- “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influence
  • VITICULTURE- 850 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers– Bechard, Dianda, Distant, Fiddletown Cellars, Gioiello & Morse, Latchum, Legendre, Lusso Della Terra, Mellowood, Morse & Il Gioello, Le Mulet Rouge, Pleinair, Rubidoux Ridge, Sobon, Terre Rouge
    • Vineyards– Rinaldi(Eschen)(HVS.,*1920)

CALAVERAS COUNTY*     @Entire County

  • WHITE=   |   RED= **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Grape Variety Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA., COUNTY-Calaveras, @Hw.#4
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA., BORDERS-Amador Country(North), Mariposa County(South)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Sierra Foothills, +Alt. 2,000ft.- 2,900ft., On~Mokelumne~River~
    • Sub-Zones- Angels Camp, Douglas Flat, Murphys, San Andreas, Upper Mokelumne Head Water, Vallecito
  • VITICULTURE- 900 ac.
  • VINICULTURE- Labeled– “CALAVERAS COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA..
    • Estates/ Producers– Black Sheep, Frog’s Tooth, Hovey, Indian Rock, Ironstone, Milliaire, Mineral Wines, Twisted Oak
    • Vineyards– Big John, Brice Station, Broll, Chaton, Dalton, Ghiradelli(HVS.), Hay, Irish, Ironstone, Kramer, Locke, Newsome Harlow, Rorick Heritage, Shake Ridge, Tanner
  • CULTURE- ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Calaveras Winegrowers Alliance~
  • GOING THERE- WINE-TRAILS~ ~Murphys Wine Trail~ (Main Street)

TUOLOME COUNTY     @Entire County

  • WHITE=   |   RED=  **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Grape Variety Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA., COUNTY-Tuolome
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA., @Hw.#49/ #120
    • BORDERS-Calavaras County(North-West), Mariposa County(South)
  • VITICULTURE- Labeled– “TUOLOME COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.

MARIPOSA COUNTY     @Entire County

  • WHITE=   |   RED= **Refer to “AVA.’s” For Grape Variety Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA., COUNTY-Mariposa
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA., LATITUDE: 37.48° ‘N‘
    • BORDERS-Tuolome Country(North), @Hw.#41/ #49/ #140
  • VITICULTURE- Labeled– “MARIPOSA COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.

**Refer to “BIBLIOGRAPHY/ Sources”For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.