Smith, Sierra Starr, Avanguardia, Secret Ravine, and Amador wineries among big winners in State Fair Wine Competition

Foothills wineries won major awards at the prestigious, long-running California State Fair wine competition. Smith Vineyard’s 2013 Primitivo from Nevada County was named “Best in California” and “Best of Class of Region,” and it won a Double Gold medal. Smith also won a Gold for its Cabernet Sauvignon and a Bronze for its Merlot. The […]

Sierra Vintners Wine Trails on May 14, July 16 and September 24

THE FOOTHILLS HAVE SOME ENJOYABLE wine trail experiences on “roads less traveled”: “Grape Days of Summer” in Placer County, “Big Crush” in Amador County, and “Passport” in El Dorado County, among others. Sierra Vintners, which includes wineries in Placer and Nevada Counties, is offering three regional wine trail experiences in 2016— in May, July and […]

Crush: “quality over quantity” this year

WINE LOVERS MAY BE ONE OF THE few beneficiaries of the long dry spell in California, at least for one more year. Just as every cloud has a silver lining, the drought is causing the vines to produce smaller grapes, which results in more concentrated sugars and flavors. Vintages during dry years tend to garner […]

Tasting Notes: Sierra Starr celebrates 20th harvest, Nevada City Winery turns 35, winery dogs

CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR WINE WINNERS Gold-medal winners in the 2015 California State Fair Wine Competition included Avanguardia (Premiato), Double Oak Vineyards & Winery (Chardonnay), Le Casque (Sergent Dessert Wine), Mt. Vernon Winery (Cabernet Franc), Naggiar Vineyards (Sangiovese) and Nevada City Winery (Barbera). Medal winners also included Avanguardia (silver, two bronze), Ciotti Cellars (silver, bronze), Le […]

Wine and food tasting abounds in Placer County and Nevada County CA this summer

For savory eats and award-winning wines, these festivals offer eclectic tastings, hands-on cooking demos with imaginative chefs, and breathtaking venues: SIERRA VINTNERS SUMMER REGIONAL WINE TRAIL JULY 18 AND SEPTEMBER 26 A premier wine tasting experience from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on “roads less traveled” in Nevada and Placer Counties. The trail includes wineries that are […]

Sierra Vintners’ three wine trails for as little as $18 each: May 16, July 18 and Sept. 26

THE FOOTHILLS HAVE SOME ENJOYABLE wine trail experiences on “roads less traveled”: “Grape Days of Summer” in Placer County; “Passport” in El Dorado County; and “Big Crush” in Amador County, among others. Now Sierra Vintners, which includes wineries in Placer and Nevada Counties, has come up with an innovative plan: three regional wine trail experiences in […]

Vintners predict quality wines from grape harvest

THIS YEAR’S WINE GRAPE HARVEST began early. Deploying little more than a pair of well-sharpened shears, the vintners, laborers and volunteers fanned out into the vineyard, hand harvested the grapes, put them in bins (or lugs) and hauled them off to the winery on a big tractor. The freshly picked grapes were sorted for quality, […]

Wine tasting in Grass Valley

VISIT GRASS VALLEY’S DOWNTOWN tasting rooms, where you can sip award-winning wine in restored Gold Rush-era buildings. You also can visit destination wineries throughout the foothills. AVANGUARDIA WINES Taste wine on the cutting edge of the blending craft in an historic building. Italian, French, Georgian and California grape varieties, all grown in an estate vineyard. […]

Food, wine & music at Grass Valley wineries

THE WINERIES IN NAPA, SONOMA, El Dorado and Amador counties are often crowded in the summer. But wine tasting with the Sierra Vintners, located along historic Hwy. 49 and the Colfax Hwy., remains a pleasurable experience. Wine enthusiasts can picnic in a serene setting at Solune or Montoliva on the Colfax Hwy.; attend a “Paint […]

Open Table’s top-rated U.S. restaurant is at a California winery (video)

Open Table’s top-rated restaurant in America is at a Northern California winery: St. Francis Winery and Vineyards in Sonoma. This week’s award, based on reviews by foodie-oriented diners, underscores the growing popularity of pairing fresh, locally produced food with wine at wineries. In the Sierra Foothills, examples include Naggiar Vineyards in Grass Valley and Wise […]

« Previous PageNext Page »

  • Follow us on PinterestFollow us on Pinterest