Tasting Notes

FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian tradition. It features seven courses of fish and seafood dishes on Christmas Eve — the freshest catch of the day, as well as clams, oysters, mussels, squid, shrimp and lobster, for example. Avanguardia’s Cristallo is the perfect wine for the occasion. […]

Tasting Notes: Nevada City Winery, Sierra Starr and Avanguardia

FOOTHILLS CELEBRATION Now in its 17th year, the Foothills Celebration in downtown Grass Valley is one of the region’s premier wine and food events. On Saturday, March 3, from 1-4 p.m., participants gather to sip wine from foothill wineries while sampling chef specialties and sweets from local restaurants. One of the more decadent offerings has […]

Tahoe Tastings: Sip wine while cruising “Big Blue”

IMAGINE STANDING ON A LOVINGLY restored, 40-foot “woodie” on Lake Tahoe, holding a glass of Andis Wines 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Dono dal Ciello 2014 Zinfandel or another regional varietal, and watching the sun set over the Sierra. This leisurely experience is now possible from June to October, thanks to Tahoe Tastings. A husband-and-wife team of […]

Tasting notes: Wine, pizza and music

SIERRA KNOLLS: WINE, PIZZA & MUSIC “What’s Up Friday?” returns April 21 at Sierra Knolls tasting room (10024, Linnet Lane in Auburn) with wine, fresh pizza from a wood-fired oven and music. The winery’s releases include a 2014 Primitivo and 2014 Petite Verdot. SierraKnollsWinery.com SIERRA STARR’S STELLAR GROWTH The Grass Valley winery now has three […]

Foothill wineries win “double gold,” “best of class” and other top honors at State Fair wine competition

FOOTHILL WINERIES EARNED numerous awards in the 2017 California State Fair wine tasting competition. Winners included Andis Wines, Avanguardia, Cooper Vineyards, Montoliva Vineyard & Winery, Naggiar Vineyards, Nevada City Winery, Sierra Starr Vineyard and Szabo Vineyards. Andis won a “Best of California” for its 2013 Painted Fields red blend; Avanguardia won a “Best of Class […]

Tasting notes: Andretti, Andis, Bent Metal, Smith and Sierra Starr

INDY 500 WINNING TEAM INTO CALIFORNIA WINE Nevada City native Alexander Rossi won the 100th Indianapolis 500 for Andretti Autosport this summer. He was the first Californian to win the race since 1955. As it turns out, the winning Indy 500 team is into California wine, not just race cars. Andretti Winery in Napa was […]

Amador Vintners

AMADOR COUNTY’S MICRO-CLIMATES are as diverse as any in California, ranging from oak- studded hillsides at 900 feet to Sierra peaks that top 9,000 feet. Besides offering a year ‘round playground—for “leaf peeping,” cycling, hiking, skiing and other activities—the county’s terroir, climate and soils are ideal for growing premium wine grapes. The majority of Amador’s […]

Exploring Amador Wine Country

AMADOR COUNTY’S MICROCLIMATES are as diverse as any in California, ranging from oak-studded hillsides at 900 feet to Sierra peaks that top 9,000 feet. Besides offering a year ‘round playground—for “leaf peeping,” cycling, hiking, skiing and other activities—the county’s terroir, climate and soils are ideal for growing premium wine grapes. The majority of Amador’s 3,700 […]

“A Walk Through Autumn” in the foothills and Sierra

Our region is one of the best places in California to view fall foliage, earning it the name “New England of the West.” Here are some suggestions: HISTORIC HIGHWAY 40 Weather permitting, take an old-fashioned Sunday drive along Old Hwy. 40 from Rocklin to Donner Pass and Truckee instead of Interstate 80. The fall colors […]

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 […]

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