Sierra Knolls: Fine Wine, Great Times

SIERRA KNOLLS VINEYARD & Winery’s origin stems from a 45-year friendship between two families and their love of wine. In 1987, John and Linda Chase and Steve and Brenda Taylor bought 44 acres of western facing slopes in western Nevada County.

The vineyard and winery became a dream come true, providing a lifestyle for creating fine wine, food and wine pairing, social activities and sustainable farming.

“We have won many awards for our wines—Best of Region for Sangiovese, gold medals for Cabernet and others—but our main focus is that our customers enjoy them,” says John Chase. “We strive to create wines that respect the unique varietal characteristics, are good values and make people smile.”

The new tasting room just off Hyw. 49 – Bear River Wine Tasting- will help announce Nevada County as a wine-growing region.

As for its winemaking philosophy, Sierra Knolls is a traditionalist. Most of its wines are pure to the varietal. Oak wine barrels are used. Wines are made in small lots, allowing attention to detail.

Sierra Knolls’ dozen or so wines, ranging from a crisp Chardonnay to a Sangiovese Rosé to a rich Cabernet Sauvignon, are sold mainly from the tasting rooms. The owners chat with their visitors, providing a friendly, interactive tasting experience.

The winery and cozy tasting room on Kingswood Ct. in Grass Valley, located along a bucolic country road, is open weekends (and weekdays by appointment). It is a venue for seasonal events, dance parties, barrel tasting and wine club parties.

The owners enjoy creating recipes incorporating their wine, such as a cedar plank salmon, mustard tarragon chicken and dark chocolate cherry bars, among others.

They go all out for events, with a motto “fine wine & great times.” “We embarked on this journey to have fun,” says Brenda Taylor. “It truly is more than just a business to us.”

Sierra Knolls Vineyard & Winery
19635 Kingswood Ct. Grass Valley
268-9225 SierraKnollsWinery.com

Bear River Wine Tasting

Sierra Knolls’ new Bear River Wine Tasting room is a 2,400 sq.-ft. craftsman style building with 30 feet of bar space, pub tables and casual seating. It opens onto a wine tasting garden, picnic grounds, ponds and waterfalls. A gift shop offers a unique and varied array of wine-related items.

10024 Linnet Lane, adjacent to Hwy. 49
Open Thursday-Monday