CALIFORNIA-Sierra Foothills


SIERRA FOOTHILLS IS  AVA.’S6     Counties7     @Plymouth

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

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

  • Western Foothills of Sierra Mountains, LATITUDE: 39.51°N– 37.48°N 
  • 40 Miles East of Napa/Ukiah/Oakland/San Jose, (160 Miles Long),  @Hw.#4/ 49/ 50
  • BETWEEN-Central Valley and Sierra Nevada Mountain Range
  • COUNTIES-Amador, Butte, 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.- 3,250ft.
  • **Refer to CLIMATE/ Altitudes For Additional Information.

SOILS Metamorphic, Sedimentary, Volcanic, Decomposed Granite

  • Soil Series- ~Ahwahnee Series~, ~Josephine Series~, ~Mariposa Series~

CLIMATE Continental With Mediterranean Influence, +Diurnal Shifts(+40° Variations)

  • *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(Vineyard 1869)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.
    • Skinner(HVS.,*1861)     @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.



BUTTE COUNTY     @Entire County

  • WHITE=   |   RED= **Refer to AVA.’s For Grape Variety Information.
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills, COUNTY-Butte
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA., BORDERS-Yuba County(South-East)
    • CITIES-Forest Ranch, Oroville, LATITUDE: 39.51°
    • *DisclaimerButte County Only Partially Laps Sierra Foothills AVA., But is In the Sierra Mountains.
  • VITICULTURE- Labeled– BUTTE COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.
    • Estates/ Producers Grey Fox, Long Creek, Quilici, La Rocca
    • Vineyards- La Rocca“Estate

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, Semillon, 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- Dobbins, Oregon House
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Nevada Mountains, +Alt. 1,500ft.- 2,000ft.
  • SOILS- Metamorphic, Volcanic
  • CLIMATE- Continental With Mediterranean Influence, +Diurnal Shifts(+40° Variations)
  • VITICULTURE-   ? ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers Clos Saron, Frenchtown Farms, Grant-Ed, Lucero, 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, Burch Hall/ Coyeoteville, Coufos, Double Oak, Indian Springs, Lucchesi, Montoliva, Naggiar, Nevada City, Pilot Peak, Pruity(Nat.Pro.), Sierra Knolls, Sierra Starr, Smith, Solune, Truckee River
    • Vineyards- Sierra Knolls“Estate”, SmithEstate

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)
    • CITIES-Auburn, Lincoln, Newcastle
  • VITICULTURE- Labeled PLACER COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.
    • Estates/ Producers Baumbach, Dono Dal Cielo, Fawnridge, Green Valley, Mt. Vernon, Ophir, Pescatore, Rancho Roble, Secret Ravine, Vina Castellano

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 District, Georgetown, Fair Play, Mt. Aukum, Placerville, Pleasant Valley
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous, +Alt. 1,100 ft.- 3,100 ft.
  • VINICULTURE- Labeled– El DORADO COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.
    • Estates/ Producers(Not Located In Demarcated AVA.) Cantiga, Donkey & Goat, Grace Patriot, Rodin, Rootdown, Ursa, Wofford Acres
    • Vineyards-(Not Located In Demarcated AVA.) Dry Bone, Duarte(250ac.), Eliza Barsotti, Fenaughty, Hawk Creek, Rosa Cavina, Saureel, Snow Crossing, 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, Bianchetta Trevigiana, Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Muscat(Orange), Petit Manseng, Picpoul Blanc, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino
  • RED= Zinfandel 11%, Barbera 8%, Syrah 5%, Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Dolcetto, Gamay, Garnacha, Graciano, Merlot, Nebbiolo, 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, +Diurnal Shifts(+40° Variations)
  • VITICULTURE- 428 acPlanted
    • Estates/ Producers(Not Found In Demarcated Sub-Zone) Alzante, Bone-Jolly, Chevalier, David Girard, Donkey & Goat, E16, Gold Hill, Gros Ventre, Hart 2 Hart, Holly’s Hill, Jose Wine Caves, Narrow Gate, Rome Valley, RPM., Venezio, Di Vittorio
    • Vineyards- Baby Rattlesnake, Barsotti, Camino Alto, Eliza, Miraflores, Shaker Ridge(10ac.,Front Ranch/Back Ranch), Stoney Creek, White Oaks Flats, Witters
  • SUB-ZONES Of El DORADA AVA.
    • PLACERVILLE Wineries- Boeger(E.), Crystal Basin, Edio, Felton Herriott, Lava Cap(E.), Lewis Grace, Nello Olivo, Smokey Ridge, Starfield, Stover Oaks
      • Culture- Placerville Was Histoically Called “Hangtown”.
    • CAMINO Wineries- Auriga, Boa Vista, Bolsters Hilltop, Coulson, Cristal Basin, Garnet Sun, Illuminare, Jodar, Madrona, ParaVi, Red Poets, Rucksack, Stones Throw, Wofford Acres
    • 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, Tempranilo, Zinfandel
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, COUNTY-El Dorado, @Hw.#49, LATITUDE: 38.48° N
    • In Sierra Foothills AVA./ El Dorada AVA.(South)
    • CITIES– Fairplay, Mt. Aukum, Summerset
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Rolling/ Rolling/ Hilly/ MountainousOn~Cosumnes~River~
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Nevada Mountains, +Alt. 2,000ft.- 2,615ft.
  • SOILS- MetamorphicVolcanic, Decomposed Granite
  • CLIMATE- Continental With Mediterranean Influence, +Diurnal Shifts(+40° Variations)
  • VITICULTURE- 21,120 ac./ ? acPlanted
    • Estates/ Producers Barkey Homestead, Bechard, Bumgarner, Busby, C.G. Di Arie, Cantiga, Cedarville, Chalet Fleur de Lys, Chateau Routon, Charles B. Mitchell, Colibri Ridge, DK Cellars, E-16, Easton, Fitzpatrick, Fleur de Lys, Golden Leaves, Granite Springs, Gwinllan, Iverson, Mastroserio, Mediterranean, Mellowood, Mount Aukum, MV, Oakstone, Obscurity, Perry Creek, Polynesian Girl, Saluti, Sentivo, Shadow Ranch, Sierra Oaks, Single Leaf, Skinner, Toogood(E.), Van der Vijver(E.), Vista del Mirador, Windwalker, Winery by the Creek, Yorba
    • Vineyards Bechard“Estate”, Capelli Ranch, Cedarville“Estate”, Iverson“Estate”, Latcham, Miller, Mount Aukum“Estate”, Paso Vista, Sentivo“Estate”, Serendipity Hill, Skinner“Estate”(HVS.,*1861)
  • 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~

SHENANDOAH VALLEY

  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA.(South), @Hw.#49
    • COUNTIES-(Laps)El Dorado 95% & Amador 5%, In Sierra Foothills AVA.
  • **Refer to Amador County/ Shenandoah Valley AVA. For Details

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.
    • CITIES– Drytown, Fiddleton, Ione, Sutter Creek
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Nevada Mountains, +Alt. 800ft.- 1,810ft.
  • SOILS- Metamorphic, Volcanic, Granite, Sandy Loam
    • ~Josephine Series~, ~Mariposa Series~
  • VITICULTURE- 2,700 ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers(Not Located In Demarcated AVA.) D’Agostini(*1856), Avio, Bella Grace, Clos du Lac/ Greenstone, Convergence, Drytown Cellars, Estey, Iron Hub, Linsteadt, Macchia, Le Mulet, Nua Dair, Rombauer, Scott Harvey, Sera Fina, Snake Ridge, Sutter Ridge Tanks, Tanis, Willow Creek, Wine Tree
    • Vineyards Aparicio(HVS.,*1930’s), Beldinelli/ Dickson(HVS.), Bella Grace“Estate”, Bill Dillian(10ac.), Boeger(HVS.), Convergence“Estate”, Fox Creek(HVS.), Lubenko(HVS.), Massoni(HVS.), Shake Ridge(46ac.), St. Amant, Tanis“Estate
  • VINICULTURE- Labeled AMADOR COUNTY Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY*AVA.     @Plymouth

  • WHITE= Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Fiano, Mocato, Muscat(Black), Muscat(Orange), Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho, Vermentino, Viognier
    RED= Zinfandel 16%, Primitivo 11%, Barbera 10%, Petite Sirah 10%, Sangiovese 8%, Syrah 8%, Aglianico, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Mission, Mourvèdre, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Schioppettino, Tempranillo
  • GEOGRAPHY- California, REGION-Sierra Foothills AVA.(South), @Hw.#49
    • COUNTIES-(Laps)Amador & El Dorado, In Sierra Foothills AVA.
    • BORDERS-Fiddletown AVA.(South-East)
  • TOPOGRAPHY- Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Valley(Shenandoah)
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Nevada Mountains, +Alt. 1,400ft.- 1,800ft.
  • SOILS- Metamorphic, Volcanic, Granite, Sandy Loam, ~Josephine Series~, ~Mariposa Series~
  • CLIMATE- Continental With Mediterranean Influence, +Diurnal Shifts(+40° Variations)
  • VITICULTURE- 13,652 ac./ 2,000 acPlanted
    • Estates/ Producers Amador Cellars(15ac.), Amador Foothills, Andis(22ac.), Bantam, Bella Piazza, Belledor, Borjon, Bray, Charles Spinetta, Cooper, Deaver, Dillian, Dobra Zemlja, Helwig, Jeff Runquist, Karly, Karmere, La Mesa, Mountevina, Nine Gables, Renwood*, Paul J., Runquist(E./10ac.), Scott Harvey, Shenandoah Cellars, Sobon(E.), Di Stasio, Stonehouse, Story, Terre Rouge/ Easton, TKC, Turley, Torra D’Oro(E./280ac.), Villa Toscano, Vino Noceto, Wilderrotter(25ac.), Young’s
    • Vineyards D’Agostini, Bray“Estate”, Cooper“Estate”, Deaver(HVS.,*1860’s), Grandpere(Vineyard 1869)(HVS.,*1869), Karmere“Estate”, Nine Gables“Estate”, Quartz Hill, Rocky Top(Sobon)(HVS.,*1920), Di Stasio(HVS.,*1960’s), Sentinel Oak, Sobon, Stonehouse“Estate”, T.C.(HVS.,*1900’s), Young’s“Estate
  • CULTURE- 1983- AVA. Officially Established
    • 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, Garnaha, Mourvedre, Petit Sirah, Syrah, Tempranillo, Zinfandel
  • 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, +Diurnal Shifts(+40° Variations)
  • VITICULTURE- 7,660 ac./ 850 acPlanted
    • Estates/ Producers Bechard, Binz, Damas, Dianda, Distant, Fiddletown Cellars, Gioiello & Morse(20ac.), Latchum, Legendre, Lusso Della Terra, Mellowood, Le Mulet Rouge, Pleinair, Rubidoux Ridge
    • Vineyards Rinaldi(Eschen)(HVS.,*1920)
  • CULTURE- 1983- AVA. Officially Established

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/ Mountainous
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Foothills, +Alt. 800ft.- 3,300ft., On~Mokelumne~River~
    • CITIES-Angels Camp, Douglas Flat, Murphys, San Andreas, Upper Mokelumne Head Water, Vallecito
  • SOILS- Metamorphic, Volcanic, Limestone, Schist
  • VITICULTURE- 700 ac.
  • VINICULTURE- Labeled CALAVERAS COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to an AVA.
    • Estates/ Producers Above the Rush, Allegorie, Aloria, Becquet, Black Sheep, Bodega del Sur, Boyle MacDonald, Brice Station, Broll Mountain, Chatom, Chiarella, French Hill, Frog’s Tooth, Gossamar, Hatcher, Hovey, Indian Rock, Irish, Ironstone, Jazz, Laraine, Lavender Ridge, Milliaire, Mineral Wines, Newsome-Harlow, Prospect 772, Queen of the Sierra, Stevenot, Tanner, Twisted Oak, Val du Vino, Villa Vallecito, Vina Moda, Zucca
    • Vineyards Airola Road, Aloria“Estate”, Angels Loft(3ac.), Appaloosa(25ac.), Aquinas-Miller, Ayrael Vieux, Big John, Bissell, Brice Station“Estate”, Broll Mountain“Estate”, Cavern, Chatom“Estate”(65ac.), Dalton, Delatreca Ranch, Gerber, Ghiradelli(HVS.), Grant, Gulch(3,000ft. Alt.), Happy Cow, Hay, Holly Hill, Irish“Estate”, Ironstone“Estate”, J Doran, J & J Villa, Jordan Oaks(7ac.), Joshua’s Starry Night, Kramer, Lavender Ridge“Estate”, Locke, Naghm, Newsome Harlow“Estate”, Rorick Heritage(*1974, 75ac.), Six Mile(84ac.), Smith, Symphony, Tailem Bend, Tanner“Estate”, Zucca“Estate
  • CULTURE- ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Calaveras Winegrowers Alliance~
  • GOING THERE- WINE-TRAILS~Murphys Wine Trail(Main Street)
  • SUB-ZONES Of El DORADA AVA.
    • ANGELS CAMP
    • MURPHYS 

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.
    • Estates/ Producers La Vella Rosa, Costello’s Mountain, Muir-Hanna

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.
    • Estates/ Producers Butterfly Creek, Chappell, Mount Bullion, Silver Fox, Villa Spain


**Refer to BIBLIOGRAPHY/ SourcesFor Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.