Tasting notes: Sierra Starr, Naggiar, Smith, Pilot Peak and Bent Metal

NAGGIAR VINEYARDS Naggiar is offering fully guided tours of its vineyard and winery in a new electric shuttle on weekends. SIERRA STARR’S GOLD MEDALS The winery has won double-gold or gold medals for most of the wines it has entered in tasting competitions this year. Sierra Starr won a double-gold for its 2012 Cabernet Franc […]

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 […]

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 […]

Cab Franc: “The next big thing” in Sierra Vintners’ wines

“THE ERA OF CABERNET FRANC is nearly upon us,” Wine Spectator Associate Editor Ben O’Donnell wrote in February. “That’s the conclusion I reached after visiting wineries on both coasts last year and imbibing at not a few of Instagram’s most trending wine bars. Reader, the excitement is palpable and the smell of pepper-bramble-tobacco-olive is in […]

Sierra Foothills and Truckee wineries score in 2015 S.F. Chronicle tasting competition

After receiving a record 6,417 entries from more than 25 states, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, recognized as the largest competition of American wines, this weekend announced its winners. Here are some winning wineries in the Sierra Foothills and Truckee. The full list of winners is here: Avanguardia Wines: Premiato, silver Due Fiori, bronze […]

Placer wineries’ 4th annual Holidays in the Hills is December 14-15

Experience collaborative open-house style wine tours hosted by the Placer County Vintners Association and the Placer County Wine Trail members. Meet winemakers, wine grape growers and other wine enthusiasts while tasting award-winning artisan wines in the down-to- earth atmosphere of the Sierra Foothills. Admission is Free with Toy Donation: Start your tour at any participating […]

New beer & wine hot spots in Loomis

3 VIGNE This fall, three local wineries—Cristaldi Vineyards, Popie Wines and Ciotti Cellars—opened adjoining wine tasting rooms at the historic High Hand Fruit Sheds in Loomis calling themselves “3 Vigne.” “We are honored to bring our craft to this building that once bustled with the processing of local fruit,” says Michael Duarte of Popie Wines. […]

Tasting Notes: What’s new at foothill wineries

SIERRA FOOTHILLS WINERIES WON HIGH HONORS in the 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the world’s largest competition of American wines. Sierra Vintners wineries that won medals included Avanguardia Wines, Lucchesi Vineyards, Montoliva Vineyard, Naggiar Vineyards and Pilot Peak Winery. Montoliva won “Best of Class” for its 2008 Sierra Bella. “Now try to tell me […]

Wineries win in S.F. competition

FOOTHILLS WINERIES FARED WELL in this year’s San Francisco Chronicle wine competition. The Nevada County wineries, also known as Sierra Vintners, that won medals included Avanguardia Wines, Lucchesi Vineyards, Montoliva Vineyard, Naggiar Vineyards and Pilot Peak Winery. Montoliva won “best of class” for its 2008 Sierra Bella. “Now try to tell me this isn’t the […]

Placer County wineries win 20 awards

Here’s a press release from the Placer County wineries: Placer County Wineries Win 20 Awards at SF Chronicle Wine Competition Placer County Wins Big for Big Wines at America’s Largest Wine Competition (Auburn, CA) – It’s another big award-wining start to 2011 for Placer County wineries. To the delight of local vintners and wine enthusiasts, […]

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