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Shenandoah Wine Trail
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Our
home base in the Sierra Foothills is the town of Sutter Creek.
From Sutter Creek take Highway 49 towards Plymouth. Once in Plymouth,
take a right turn off Highway 49 onto Shenandoah Road. In about one mile,
watch for Shenandoah School Road. on the right. This road forms a loop back to
Shenandoah Road.
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Winery Descriptions, Driving Directions, Tasting Room Hours
Wilderotter Vineyard
The very first winery is Wilderotter Vineyards, located to the
right just after turning onto Shenandoah School Road. The tasting
room is quite cozy and decorated with local artists’ paintings.
Jay Wilderotter is the owner and winemaker. Jay had been selling
his grapes to local wineries but in 2003 decided to produce his
own wines. In his first year, Jay produced 650 cases of wine and
plans to double that for next year’s production. Available
now are a 2002 Zinfandel and Syrah, and a 2003 Viognier and Roussanne.
The Syrah is delicious.
The tasting room is open Friday to Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 5
(209)
245-6016, e-mail: none, Wilderotter Vineyard
C.G. DiAire Vineyards and Winery
C.G. Di Arie winery is located in Amador County way up in the distance Mount Aukum roads.
When the Kelson Creek Winery closed its door, C.G. Di Arie took the opportunity
to take over the facility so it could open a tasting room closer to the main wine
trails of the Shenandoah Valley. Chaim Gur-Arieh is the owner and winemaker.
He is also an inventor and scientist.The winery specializes in Zinfandel
but also makes a very elegant Syrah and Barbera. One of the Zins made at
C.G. Di Arie comes from the oldest Zinfandel vineyard in all of California. C.G. Di Arie winery is just a short distance
up the road from Wilderotter Vineyards
The tasting room is open Thursday to Monday, 10 a.m. to 4:30.
(209)
245-4700, e-mail: info@cgdiarie.com C.G. DiAire Vineyards
Montevina Winery
The entrance to Montevina will be on the right
as you continue your drive along Shenandoah School Road. Montevina
is the largest winery on this wine trail, and 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 varieties
including several types of Italian varieties. One interesting
wine is the SHR School House Road wine. The wine is a blend from
40 acres 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
and Barbera.
Tasting room open daily, 11 to 4 pm
(209) 245-6942, e-mail: QandA@montevina.com, Montevina Winery
Cooper Vineyards
After Montevina, look for Cooper Vineyards on the left. The Cooper
family has been growing grapes for years and is now producing some
fantastic wines under the guidance of winemaker Rich Gilpin. The
tasting room is Mediterranean style and displays some terrific
views of vineyards. The tastings are set so that one can try a
series of wines: a set of Zinfandels, Italian varietals, and Rhone
type wines. All the wines are quite good, perhaps reflecting the
care and feeding of the Cooper estate vineyards.
Tasting room is open Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5.
(209) 245-6181;
e-mail: cooperwines@sbcglobal.net,
Cooper Vineyards
Karmere Vineyards & Winery
Continue on Shenandoah School Road which reconnects with Shenandoah
Road. Turn right onto Shenandoah Road and you
will see the Karmere Winery. The winery has a new tasting room
and winemaking structure. This is also a small production winery
producing estate bottled wines. The owners, Todd Pickens and Marilyn
Hoopes plan to produce up to 5000 cases per year. The wines are
reasonably priced and very good. The Syrah is a winner. They also
make a very fine Barbera wine.
Tasting room is open Thursday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 5.
(209) 245-6181;
e-mail: information@karmere.com Karmere
Vineyards
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