SIERRA FOOTHILLS Wine - Demystifying "The Vine"

CALIFORNIA-Sierra Foothills

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

WHITE= Albariño, Arneis, Chardonnay, Fiano, Marsanne, Muscat Blanc, Muscat Canelli, Muscat Orange, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Giallo, Riesling, Roussanne, Picpoul Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Savagnin, Verdelho, Verdejo, Vermentino, Viognier
RED= Barbara, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Charbono, Cinsault, Graciano, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mission, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Petite Manseng, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, 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- ?

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 AVA.)– Cantiga, Grace Patriot, Rodin, Rootdown, Ursa, Wofford Acres
- Vineyards- Dry Bone, Duarte(250 ac.), Eliza Barsotti, Fenaughty, Hawk Creek, Rosa Cavina
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%, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dolcetto, Gamay, Garnacha, Graciano, Merlot, 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, Hart 2 Hart, Jose wine Caves, Rome Valley, RPM.
- Vineyards- Baby Rattlesnake, Barsotti, Eliza, Stoney Creek, White Oaks Flats
SUB-ZONES Of El DORADO AVA.
- PLACERVILLE– Wineries– Boeger(E.), Edio, Felton Herriott, Lava Cap(E.), Lewis Grace, Nello Olivo, Smokey Ridge, Starfield
- 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, Cnvergence, Drytown Cellars, Estey, Macchia, Nua Dair, Sera Fina, Snake Ridge, Tanks, Wine Tree
- Vineyards– Aparicio(HVS.,*1930’s), Beldinelli/ Dickson(HVS.), Bella Grace, Bill Dillian(10ac.), Boeger(HVS.), Fox Creek(HVS.), Lubenko(HVS.), Massoni(HVS.)

SHENANDOAH VALLEY*AVA. @Plymouth

WHITE= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Orange Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier
RED= Zinfandel 16%, Primitivo 11%, Barbera 10%, Petite Sirah 10%, Sangiovese 8%, Syrah 8%, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Mourvèdre
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, Andis(22ac.), Cooper, Di Stasio, Helwig, Karmere, Mountevina, Renwood*, Runquist(E./10ac.), Scott Harvey, Shenandoah Cellars, Sobon, Story, Turley, Torra D’Oro(E./280ac.), Villa Toscano, Young’s
- Vineyards– D’Agostini, Deaver(HVS.,*1860’s), Grandpere(HVS.,*1869), Rocky Top(Sobon)(HVS.,*1920), Di Stasio Vineyard(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, Distant, Fiddletown Cellars, Gioiello & Morse, Latchum, Legendre, Mellowood, Le Mulet Rouge, 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.