Visiting
Wineries
With more than 30 wineries, Amador and its famous Shenandoah Valley produces more wine than the other foothill counties. The larger corporate wineries include Terra d'Oro and Renwood.
However, most of Amador's wineries are family operations, where visitors often -- even usually -- get to meet and discuss the wines with the owner or winemaker. They are often the same person, although wine consultants (free-lance winermakers) are hired by some operations.
California residents know that the best way to
get to know about wines and wineries is to travel
to the wine regions and visit the winery tasting
rooms. You can sample wines of the region, meet
friendly winery staff and often talk to the
winemaker.
Another way to enjoy the wine is to attend
regional wine events or come to a winery's special
days where wine mixes with other activity including
food and music. Frequently (and regularly at a number of wineries, barrel tasting is featured to promote the selling of wine futures.
Amador Events:
Big Crush Harvest Festival
Annual Event: Early October
Location: participating wineries
in Amador County
33 member wineries of the Amador Vintners host “The Big Crush,” the vintners’ annual Harvest Wine Festival. Enjoy great wine, food, music and other harvest festivities amidst the scenic beauty of Amador Wine Country.
For additional
information, call 888-655-8614. For tickets: go here.
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El Dorado Events:
El Dorado 2009 Passport Weekend
late March/early April
This year's sold-out Passport event was (as usual)
a great success, with plenty of luscious wine and
food pairings, barrel tastings, enjoyable art and
music, costumes, limos and fun-loving crowds.
Information on the 2011 Passport weekends are
available here and at wineries in El Dorado County. This event
sells out each year.
Fair Play Festival
Eldorado County Fairplay wineries -- Early June
This popular annual event draws hundreds of sierra
foothills wine fans for two days of wine, food,
music, and more. The all inclusive cost is $35 per
person and tickets are available here.
Calaveras Events
17th Annual Calaveras Grape Stomp
Early October
The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance presened the 17th annual Grape Stomp and Street Faire. In the city park, teams compete to crush
grapes to make the most grape juice. Awards are
presented to the Best Stompers and the Vest
Costume. Also at the park: a silent auction and
live entertainment. team registration is $40, and a
limited nukber of teams are allowed to register on
the day of the Stomp. Information: 209-728-9467
or1-866-806-WINE.
Presidents Day Weekend
mid February each year
The Calaveras wineries celebrate with barrel
tastings, new wine releases, recipes for food and
wine pairing, and live music. Meet "Abraham
Lincoln" and "George Washington" at the wineries.
Admission is free and the event runs rain or
shine.
11:00 a.m. to 5:00.p.m. both days. Designated
drivers are encouraged and will receive a
complimentary button and non-alcoholic
beverages.
Passport Weekend
Calaveras wineries -- mid to late June
The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance celebrates the
coming of summer with food, entertainment and wine.
Participants are issued a "passport" which is
validated at each winery visited. Call for advance
tickets 1-866-806-WINE.
