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Quick Wine Country Getaways - Sacramento to Sierra Foothill Wineries in the Shenandoah Valley
This
trip is an easy 45 minute trip from the Sacramento area to the Shenandoah
Valley wine region in the Sierra Foothills of Amador County. In
just a few hours time, you can visit some very exciting and innovative
wineries in this emerging wine country. We have listed four wineries
to choose from; two large and two small. You can pick up your picnic
lunch in Plymouth at the Pokerville Market.
Montevina Winery The entrance to Montevina will be on the right as you drive along Shenandoah School Road. Montevina is the very first winery to start producing wines in the Sierra foothills after Prohibition. The first thing you will notice is a very big and modern winery building. The winery houses state-of-the-art winemaking equipment. The 64,000 sq. ft. winery produces many different varietals including several Italian wines. One interesting wine is the SHR School House Road wine. The wine is a blend from 40 arcres planted with 80% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sarah, and 7% Barbera. The grapes are fermented together. Try it. The regular Zinfandel is quite good and priced nicely. We also like the Syrah. Tasting room open daily, 11 to 4 pm (209) 245-6942, e-mail: QandA@montevina.com Villa Toscano Head back the way you came and turn right onto Shenandoah Road. Villa Toscano Winery will be on the right in just a short distance. As you turn into the entrance to Villa Toscano you will immediately notice a considerable contrast to the other wineries in the area. This is an elegant new winery beautifully landscaped against the surrounding vineyards and hillsides. It will remind you of a classic Italian villa. The tasting room is spacious and loaded with many items for sale. Besides the regular wine tasting, the tasting room has an area set aside for barrel tasting and the opportunity to buy futures. Futures means that you buy the wines now at a discount and then wait for them to be bottled at a later date. The winery recently added a bistro serving lunch on a daily basis. The wines are very tasty and we particularly like the Zinfandel and the Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon. Tasting room open 10 to 5pm daily (209) 245-3800, e-mail: sales@villatoscano.com Domaine de la Terra Rouge Drive along Shenandoah Road and watch for Dickson Road on the left. Turn left and you will come to the winery in about a quarter of a mile. The winery began operation in the mid 1980s. This a small family winery but it produces two series of wines. The Easton label features the more traditional California varietals, while the Terra Rouge label features their Rhone varietals. They have gained quite a reputation for their Rhone varietals, particularly the Syrahs. They make four different Syrahs, and you will have to taste at least a couple of these. The tasting room is new, having opened in the summer of 2002. Tasting room open Friday to Sunday, 11 to 4 pm (209) 245-4277, e-mail: terouge@volcano.net Karly Winery Head back and turn left onto Shenandoah Rd. Go just a short distance and turn left on to Bell Road. Head down the narrow road about a half-mile to Karly. Karly has developed a secret following of admirers especially for their Zinfandels. They produce several vineyard designated Zinfandels from their estate and nearby neighbors' vineyards. Our favorite is the Warrior Fires Zinfandel. We also like the Sauvignon Blanc very much and it’s a steal at $11 per bottle. The winery also produces an interesting array of Rhone wines. This small winery, producing 11,000 cases per year, is owned and operated by Bill Cobb and his wife Karly. You definitely will get that family atmosphere when you visit this winery. Tasting room open daily, 12 to 4 pm (209) 245-3922, email: karly@karlywines.com |
