Sierra Vintners Wine Trail: Meet the winemakers

THE SIERRA VINTNERS’ WINE TRAIL on June 2-3, from noon-5 p.m., is an ideal way to explore the Gold Country, while enjoying wine tasting, food, live music and art displays in spectacular settings.

Your journey begins on the back roads of Nevada County, where you’ll find small, family-owned wineries that produce premium, award-winning wines. Along with winning prestigious awards in California, one of the wineries—Solune Winegrowers— just won an award in an international wine competition in Paris, France.

You’ll want to be sure to visit as many as 15 of the county’s wineries, set amid the rolling hills of Grass Valley, Nevada City and Penn Valley.

Spring is ideal, because the wildflowers are in bloom, rivers are full, and wildlife is plentiful.

There’s some unique sightseeing too: On the drive to Naggiar Vineyards, for example, you are likely to see a herd of buffalo—redolent of the American West.

Be sure not to miss the unique tasting rooms in the historic downtowns of Nevada City and Grass Valley.

The wineries are in spectacular settings, ranging from the Mediterranean-style tasting room at Naggiar, to scenic vistas at Pilot Peak’s flowered terraces and Sierra Starr’s new winery building. Also visit the charming red barns at Smith Vineyard and Solune.

The wineries are offering food and music to go with the wine tasting, and the winemakers will be on hand. Local artists also will display their artwork.

During the Wine Trail, you’ll learn firsthand about the specialty grapes grown at Avanguardia and Montoliva, among others. Don’t miss the new wine tasting room off Hwy. 49 at Bear River Wine Tasting, featuring Sierra Knolls wine.

Begin your tour at any of the participating wineries, where you will receive your commemorative wine glass, a wristband and a program outlining what each winery will be offering (program preview available online at www.SierraVintners.com).

Know-and-Go

SIERRA VINTNERS WINE TRAIL
June 2-3, noon-5 p.m.

$40 2-Day
Weekend Pass
Price increases to $50 after noon on Friday.

$30 Saturday only
$30 Sunday only
Limited amount; buy early.
Price increases to $35 after noon on Friday.

$10 Designated Driver
No wine tasting.
For tickets, go to SierraVintners.com

(Photo credit: Dan Senkbeil)