Wine Trails of the Sierra Foothills
We have four intriguing wine trails to highlight the wineries of the Sierra Foothills. The Sierra Foothills wine country ranges from1000 feet to just over 2000 feet in elevation. The elevation has many advantages to growing wine grapes. There are many excellent vineyards in these parts. Discover them! These four wine trails are less traveled than Napa and Sonoma Counties. For the most part, the Sierra Foothill wineries are small and family-owned. Fine exciting wines without the big price tags of other California wine regions.
Shenandoah Valley Wine Trail
This wine trail travels through the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Amador County. Zinfandel, Barbera, other reds, and delicious whites will be on the tasting room menu. Be prepared to enjoy beautiful oak woodlands and rolling hills of vines. Wine Trail Details
Shenandoah School Road Wine Trail
Swing off the main road and travel along a picturesque backroad leading to very excellent wineries and spectacular views. If you love gardening, the Amador Flower Farm is a must stop. Wine Trail Details
Fair Play Wine Trail – El Dorado
Beyond the Shenandoah Valley, we come to El Dorado County and the fantastic Fair Play wine region. There are over 20 wineries in this region, but we select six excellent wineries to visit. We are at 2000 feet in Fair Play. There are several varieties of grapes to enjoy, but the Rhone wines are the best here. Wine Trail Details.
Murphys Wine Trail – Calaveras County
The quaint and historic gold mining town of Murphys is the center of this wine trail. Visit boutique wineries and take in the wonder of this small town with many attractions. We like the wineries a short distance from the center of Murphys. If you wish to visit just tasting rooms, there are so many good ones in the town center. Wine Trail Details
Planning your trip to Sierra Foothills
- Best lodging in the Sierra Foothills
- Best restaurants in the Sierra Foothills
- Picnic wineries and deli stores
- Wine maps to best wineries
Perhaps the best guide book to the Sierra Foothills Wineries: Wine-Oh! Guide to California’s Sierra Foothills: From the Ordinary to the Extraordinary
Advice for your Sierra Foothills Wine Tour:
Sierra Wine Book Pour Me Another: An Opinionated Guide to Gold Country Wines 2011
You are encouraged to have a designated driver | Consider a limousine or van service
First time to a winery? Find out what happens in a typical tasting room.
Are you wondering about how to taste wine? Wine Tasting Techniques
Pace yourself and make a day of wine tasting.
There are many other Amador and El Dorado wineries on our wine tour; if you see one that strikes your fancy, drop in and tell us what you think.
Plan for a picnic lunch at one of the wineries.
Use our Trip Planner to map your wine trail
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