Are you looking for a relaxing California escape? My recommendation is to pack your bags and head to historic Amador County. This Gold Country destination, home to over 40 wineries, is located approximately130 miles/ 2.5-3 hours drive from San Francisco, 60-miles/ 1-hour drive from Sacramento, and 150-miles/ 3 hours drive from Reno. During the mid-1800's prospectors came seeking their fortune in gold. In recent years it has become a mecca for enthusiasts who come seeking wines. This Spaswinefood enthusiast returned to Amador County last weekend to visit some of Amador’s top wineries.
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| Amador Wine Country © Spaswinefood |
Although this wine region is certainly not as well known today, as Napa or Sonoma, Amador County’s Shenandoh Valley was once the main viticultural area in California. The arrival of Prohibition in the 1920’s devastated wine making in this area. Today, this historic area is well known for its Zinfandel, with Barbara and Rhone varietals doing well also. It is home to some of the oldest Zinfandel vineyards in the country. Fortunately, some of these old vines survived, such the Grandpère vineyard, which was planted with Zinfandel before 1869. The vineyard is believed to be one of the oldest Zinfandel vineyards in America.
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| Vine-Inspired Days in Amador County © Spaswinefood |
Vine-Inspired Days in Historic Amador County
You will find not only interesting wine history here, but there is also Gold Rush history to explore. Today's iconic site, the Kennedy Gold Mine, was once an integral part of California’s Gold Rush.
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| We Off to Amador Wine Country © Spaswinefood |
The mine's 5,912 foot shaft is indeed a stunning backdrop for Amador County explorations. Discovered in the 1840’s the mother lode gold vein, one of the deepest and richest in the world, occurs along Highway 49. This is why the California Gold Rush took place here. The days of gold mining have passed, and today’s visitors come seeking the new gold, wine.
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| Shenandoah Schoolhouse, Amador County © Spaswinefood |
During our 2016 wine blogger visit we did a round robin tasting at the historic Shenandoah Schoolhouse with eight wineries (Andis, Bella Grace, Cooper, Distant Cellars, Noceto, Renwood, Sera Fina, and Scott Harvey). Join me now, two years later, on a return visit to some of these Amador wineries.
Bella Grace Vineyards
Bella Grace Vineyards, a family owned winery, has two tasting rooms, one in the Shenandoah Valley and the other in Sutter Creek. Established in 2006 the winery uses sustainable practices in its grape growing and hand crafted wine making. Last weekend we stopped by their wine cave in the Shenandoah Valley.
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| Bella Grace Wine Cave, Shenandoah Valley © Spaswinefood |
We were greeted by the vineyard dog Jack, a friendly black lab.
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| Jack, Bella Grace's Wine Dog © Spaswinefood |
It was not all about wine however, we did manage to take a peek at this year's vines.
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Bella Grace Vineyards, Amador County © Spaswinefood
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Two year's ago, I had the pleasure of tasting Bella Grace wines and meeting the winemaker at the historic Shenandoah Schoolhouse.
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| 2016 Visit with Bella Grace Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Bella Grace Vineyards, Vermentino 2015 © Spaswinefood |
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| Bella Grace Vineyards, Montagñaro 2013 © Spaswinefood |
Spending time with Michael Havill, winemaker was a very special treat for me.
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| Michael Havill, Winemaker © Spaswinefood |
I clearly remember that visit to Bella Grace Vineyards in 2016.
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| Charlie Havill, Bella Grace Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
In fact, I even remember my first introduction to BellaGrace wines at their Tasting Room, Sutter Creek.
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| BellaGrace 2010 Viognier, Tasting Room, Sutter Creek © Spaswinefood |
Bella Grace Vineyards Vermentino was my favorite this time.
Distant Cellars
I first discovered Distant Cellars, a family owned winery in Fiddletown in 2016. Their focus is on creating new world wines, which are rooted in old world tradition.
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| Distant Cellars Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Distant Cellars, Drifter 2011 © Spaswinefood |
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| Tasting Distant Cellars Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| King of Zins Flight © Spaswinefood |
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| Special Reserve Flight © Spaswinefood |
The good news is if you decide to buy a bottle of their wine they will waive the tasting fee. We did not find it difficult to select two bottles of wine.
Yes, I do remember their wines at the 2016 wine blogger's meet up.
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| Renwood Winery Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Renwood Winery, Grand Reserve Barbera 2014 © Spaswinefood |
I loved this Barbera. During my recent visit I discovered a few favorite Zins, such as 2014 Grandmère and 2015 Grandpère.
Cooper Vineyards
Cooper Vineyards is located on the family’s ranch, which known for its stunning views and award winning wines.
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| Entrance Cooper Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
I could not resist dropping by to take in the vineyard views.
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| Oaks & Zins, Cooper Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
I remember my 2016 meeting with Mr. Cooper who is so well known for his long history as a grape grower.
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| Meeting with Cooper Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Cooper Vineyards, Zinfandel © Spaswinefood |
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| Cooper Vineyards, Barbera 2013 © Spaswinefood |
Besides tasting those delicious Zinfandel and Barbera wines, it was exciting to hear about the history of Cooper Vineyards, both its personal story and its influence on Amador County wineries.
Yes, seeing their vineyard, with its rows upon rows of uniquely trellised grapevines, is quite striking.
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| Cooper Vineyards, Plymouth © Spaswinefood |
I cannot resist checking out the progress of the grapes whenever I visit a vineyard.
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| Grapes Under Vines, Cooper Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
Indeed, these grapes are doing quite fine being shaded by the vines.
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| Labor Day Grapes #1, Cooper Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Labor Day Grapes #2, Cooper Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
Based on the grapes that I saw the 2018 vintage looks quite promising.
Scott Harvey Wines
Scott Harvey Wines recently established a tasting room and winery in Plymouth. During our visit we dropped by to taste some of his recent wine releases.
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| Scott Harvey Wines, Plymouth © Spaswinefood |
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| Table with a View, Scott Harvey Wines © Spaswinefood |
Scott Harvey has had an exciting career as a winemaker. His present focus is on returning to his Amador roots, by producing Zinfandel, Syrah and Barbera wines from the Sierras. At the 2016 meeting it was a pleasure to taste his wines.
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| Scott Harvey, Winemaker © Spaswinefood |
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| Scott Harvey, Vineyard 1869 Zinfandel © Spaswinefood |
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| Scott Harvey Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Scott Harvey Wines, Old Vines Zinfandel 2013 © Spaswinefood |
I always enjoy hearing the amazing story about Vineyard 1869 and Scott Harvey Wines. Whenever we see Scott Harvey 1869 Zinfandel or Barbera on a wine list we are always delighted. Needless to say we managed to get a few bottles on out last visit.
During a much earlier visit to the Scott Harvey Tasting Room, 79 Main Street, Sutter Creek I was first introduced to Scott's wines.
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| Scott Harvey Tasting Room, Sutter Creek © Spaswinefood |
Needless to say, no one post can do justice to the rich diversity of Amador County wines. After each visit, what I walked away with, are not only insights into the wines, but also a connection to the faces behind the wines. It is the latter that gives you a sense of the rich wine making stories about Amador County. The history of wine making in the Amador Wine Region is indeed deeply rooted.
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| Amador County Vintners © Spaswinefood |
I look forward to more delightful vine-filled days in Amador Wine Country.
Plan a Amador Wine Country Getaway
Put Amador County Wine County on your list for that perfect Gold Country getaway. When you do, include some of the above wineries in your explorations. With over 40 wineries you will have no problem finding exciting wines to suit your taste. During our recent visit we stayed at the historic Imperial Hotel.
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| Imperial Hotel, Amador City © Spaswinefood |
While in Amador City we enjoyed an early morning walkabout.
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| Early Morning, Imperial Hotel © Spaswinefood |
During our 2016 visit we had a delightful stay at the Rest Hotel however, some of the my wine blogger friends equally enjoyed their stay at the National Hotel and Hotel Sutter. The restaurants that supplied the tapas for our Tapas and Wine event are great places to dine (see article).
Amador Wine Country is indeed the ideal place to just relax. I invite you to join me in my travels in California Gold Country and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood.
Sharon
September 2018
Amador Wine County, California
© Spaswinefood
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| Amador Vintners © Spaswinefood |
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