Bumgarner Winery, El Dorado Wine Country

Spring time in the Sierra Foothills is a perfect time to visit Bumgarner Winery, El Dorado County. Inviting El Dorado Wine Country is home to spectacular scenery, historic towns and friendly tasting rooms. The El Dorado American Viticultural Area (AVA) was established in 1983. According to El Dorado Visitors Authority there are now over 60 wineries. Given the numerous grape varieties grown throughout the country there is an excellent variety of wines available. If you are looking for a relaxing wine country getaway, El Dorado Wine Country offers many great wine country experiences. One such experience awaits you at Bumgarner Winery tasting room. 

Bumgarner Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

Bumgarner Winery Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

El Dorado County's Bumgarner Winery tasting room is part of a small group of tasting rooms on Carson Road in Camino.

Bumgarner Winery

Recently Spaswinefood dropped by Bumgarner Winery tasting room where I tasted some big, bold red wines. While Bumgarner Winery is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon it also produces Touriga, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Mourverde, Babera and Bordeaux blend (Many Hands). On the lighter side they offer a Rosé, which is a blend of Mourverde and Barbera. During my visit I also tried their barrel fermented blend of apple and pear cider. 

Bumgarner Tasting Room © Spaswinefood

While at Bumgarner Winery tasting room I tasted wines from their three wine series (Silver Fork, Five Fingers and Library). Winemaker, Brian Bumgarner often pours the wines in the tasting room. The day I visited Brian was pouring the wines. It is always a special treat for me to talk to a winemaker while tasting wines. 

Bumgarner Wine Tasting © Spaswinefood

Silver Fork Wines 
1. Rosé, a blend of Mourverde and Barbera
2. Barbera

Bumgarner Silver Fork Wines © Spaswinefood

Since both the Rosé and Barbera are in the Silver Fork series I was introduced to their Silver Fork wines. What is so special about the Silver Fork wines is that they come in bottles, which can be re-filled with wines from the winery. Mike Dunn of the Sacramento Bee describes the story behind the Silver Fork concept. 

Five Finger Wines
3. Touriga 2010

Touriga, El Dorado 2010 © Spaswinefood

4. Petite Sirah 2008

Petite Sirah, El Dorado 2008 © Spaswinefood

5. Many Hands Cuvée Rouge 2009

Many Hands Cuvée Rouge, 2009 © Spaswinefood

Library Wines
6. Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Cabernet Sauvignon, El Dorado 2007 © Spaswinefood

Winemaker, Brian Bumgarner and his wife Jennifer's goal is to produce superior, small batch wines of the highest quality. Weekend Wine Taster and Sarah Hambien, Sac Foodie describes their tastings at Bumgarner.  Lisa Richmond Photogaphy beautifully captures the unique beauty of Bumgarner. You will find reviews of Bumgarner Winery on Yelp .

I invite you to join me in my travels in beautiful El Dorado Wine Country, California and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood. You may also visit my travel column at the Examiner. 

Sharon

May 2013

El Dorado Wine Country, California

© Spaswinefood

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