All in the Family

Meet some of them: fathers, sons, mothers & daughters who are coming together to help our “food, wine, art economy” prosper: THE GIARDINAS The family owns the Golden Era Lounge in downtown Nevada City, arguably the most inviting cocktail lounge in the footills. Golden Era is located in the old Cirino’s building on Broad Street, […]

Tasting Notes

FOOTHILLS CELEBRATION Now in its 18th year, the Foothills Celebration in downtown Grass Valley is one of the region’s premier wine and food events. On Saturday, March 2, from 1-4 p.m., participants gather to sip wine from foothill wineries while sampling chef specialties and sweets from local restaurants. Attendees also can shop at the clothing […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Cooper Vineyards: A “Barbera” dollar bill started things

THE LATE ’60s AND ’70s LARGELY marked the start of Northern California’s modern winemaking era: Robert Mondavi opened his winery in Napa Valley, the Silverado wine trail was born, and California wines topped some of France’s finest in a blind tasting competition dubbed the “Judgment of Paris.” The foothills also experienced a milestone in wine […]

Amador Vintners: Fine wine & scenic vineyards

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 cycling, fishing, 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 vine […]

  • Follow us on PinterestFollow us on Pinterest