Shenandoah Valley in the Sierra Foothills

November 6, 2016 by Joe Becerra

Fall colors in the Shenandoah Valley near Plymouth, CA

Shenandoah Valley in the Sierra Foothills – Fall Colors

The Fall is the most incredible time to explore the Sierra Foothills. The wine country is spectacular. Our favorite area in the Sierra Foothills is the Shenandoah Valley, just outside of Plymouth, California. The rolling hills of vineyards are centered in an oak woodlands ecosystem. The Fall colors afford dramatic views driving along the quiet backroads of the Shenandoah Valley. Compared to Napa Valley or Sonoma wine country, the Shenandoah Valley is a hidden wine country. There are no more than 50 wineries in the area, and most are small wineries that are family owned and operated. It is a serene place to ponder life and take in the beauty of wine country. This particular photo location is on Shenandoah Road. The vineyards belong to Young’s Vineyards.

More information on the Shenandoah Valley

Borjon Winery in Amador

March 2, 2016 by Joe Becerra

Borjon Winery – Mexican Family-owned winery in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County

Borjon Winery in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County

This is another success story of a Mexican immigrant with hard work ethics who has worked his way from vineyard worker to winery owner. The Borjon Winery is turning heads in the world of California wine. What was once an unknown or hidden winery is now receiving accolades for its wines. The story of the Borjon Family began when Jesus and Nora Borjon migrated from Mexico to the Shenandoah Valley in the mid 1980’s. Jesus began as a farm worker in the vineyards, experiencing all the tasks of growing and caring for the vines. With his vineyard knowledge, Jesus and Nora established a vineyard management company. Fast forward to the present and their son Isy Borjon now runs the vineyard management company and has established the Borjon Winery. The winery is located on Shenandoah Road four miles from Plymouth. The tasting room is very homey and inviting. There are three levels of wine tasting, plus touring possibilities. The lineup of wines includes three classifications or levels of quality. Prices range from $20 to $100. Because Isy Borjon manages many vineyards in Amador County, the winery has been able to purchase grapes from some of the most noted vineyards in the area. We tasted several wines on our visit and we certainly were impressed. The wines are well-made and balanced wines. Keep your eye on Borjon. Their wines will become very sought after. The Borjon Winery is open Thursday through Monday from 11am to 5pm.

Cool logo at the Borjon Winery

Additional information on Amador Wine Country

Dobra Zemlja Winery in Amador County

August 23, 2013 by Joe Becerra

At Dobra Zemlja – Croatian winemaker gone mad!

Here is a winery that will literally knock your socks off. The wines at Dobra Zemlja (Good Earth) Winery are big boys, high in alcohol, full-bodied and bold. The motto at Dobra Zemlja is “No Lightweights!” The winery is located on Steiner Road and quite a contrast from any of the other wineries along this charming little backroad in the Shenandoah Valley of Amador County.

If you are lucky enough, you might be able to spot Croatian winemaker Milan Matulich working in his vineyards or in the cellar. Just look for the guy with the flowing white hair and charismatic white mustache. He might also just be doing all his chores barefoot. Milan is a throwback to another era of winemaking. There is absolutely no “frou-frou” going on with Milan at Dobra Zemlja. What you see is what you get!

Milan with the Mason jar

We had a chance to meet Milan and taste his current release wines and some barrel samples. Indeed, Milan is quite a character and goes by his own set of rules. He loves the taste of big wines, so that’s what he’s going to produce for Dobra Zemlja. Never mind what the food critics say about high alcoholic wines, Milan thinks big wines mean big flavors and big enjoyment. The wines are all high in alcohol and one we tried even reached above 16%. The wines are smooth and do not have a “hot” aspect to them in aftertaste. Quite the contrary, the wines go down easily. Among the wines made are Viognier, Sangiovese, Barbera, Syrah and Zinfandel. The tasting room is in a cave that fits nicely under one of rolling hillsides on the estate. While we drank our wine samples out of beautiful stemware, Milan chose to drink out of a Mason jar. No doubt, a character in the world of winemaking.

Happy wine tasters at Dobra Zemlja

To get to Dobra Zemlja, take Shenandoah Road from Plymouth and turn left on Steiner Road. This is about a two-mile U shape backroad that ends back on Shenandoah Road. Along the way you will pass some other favorite wineries of ours, Renwood, Shenandoah Vineyards, Deaver Vineyards and Amador Foothill Winery. Any of these are worth a visit before you get to Dobra Zemlja.

The winery is open Monday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm. It is one of the few wineries in the Amador wine country that is open daily throughout the year, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

For lodging information, best restaurants and other wineries in the area, visit our Shenandoah Valley Wineries section on Wine Country Getaways.