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, 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.- 3,000ft.
  • **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.

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
    • *Disclaimer– Butte 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, 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– Clos Saron, 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”, Smith“Estate”

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. 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, Saureel, 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, 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)– 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, Shaker Ridge(10ac.), 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/ Mountainous”, On~Cosumnes~River~
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Nevada Mountains, +Alt. 2,000ft.- 2,615ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, Decomposed Granite
  • CLIMATE- “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influence
  • VITICULTURE- 21,120 ac./ ? ac. Planted
    • Estates/ Producers– Barkey Homestead, Bechard, Busby, C.G. Di Arie, Cantiga Wineworks, Cedarville, Chalet Fleur de Lys, Chateau Routon, Charles B. Mitchell, Colibri Ridge, DK Cellars, Easton, Fitzpatrick, Granite Springs, Iverson, Mellowood, Mount Aukum, MV, Oakstone, Obscurity, Perry Creek, Shadow Ranch, Sierra Oaks, Single Leaf, Toogood(E.), Van der Vijver(E.), Windwalker, Winery by the Creek, Yorba
    • Vineyards– Bechard“Estate”, Capelli Ranch, Cedarville“Estate”, Iverson“Estate”, Latcham, Miller, Paso Vista, Sentivo, Serendipity Hill, Shake Ridge(46ac.), 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.
    • CITIES– Drytown, Fiddleton, Ione, Sutter Creek
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly”
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Nevada Mountains, +Alt. 800ft.- 1,800ft.
  • VITICULTURE- Labeled– “AMADOR COUNTY” Wine Produced Non-Conforming to anAVA.
    • Estates/ Producers–(Not Located In Demarcated AVA.)– 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.), St. Amant, Tanis“Estate”

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, 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.- 1,800ft.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, Granite, Sandy Loam
  • CLIMATE- “Continental” With “Mediterranean” Influence
  • VITICULTURE- 13,652 ac./ 2,000 ac. Planted
    • 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(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, 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
    • 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/ Mountainous”
    • SLOPES/ Sierra Foothills, +Alt. 800ft.- 3,300ft., On~Mokelumne~River~
    • CITIES-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– Becquet, Black Sheep, Bodega del Sur, Brice Station, Broll Moutain, Chatom, Chiarella, French Hill, Frog’s Tooth, Hatcher, Hovey, Indian Rock, Irish, Ironstone, Laraine, Lavender Ridge, Milliaire, Mineral Wines, Newsome-Harlow, Stevenot, Twisted Oak, Vina Moda, Zucca
    • Vineyards– Big John, Brice Station“Estate”, Broll, Chatom“Estate”, Dalton, Gerber, Ghiradelli(HVS.), Hay, Irish“Estate”, Ironstone“Estate”, Kramer, Lavender Ridge“Estate”, Locke, Newsome Harlow, Rorick Heritage, Tanner, Zucca“Estate”
  • 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.
    • 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/ Sources”For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.