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 […]

A New Year for wine: Trends that will shape 2018

Five wine predictions for the New Year: CAB FRANC WILL GROW “Cabernet Franc is taking root in California,” according to Uncorkd.biz. “California wine makers have put their own spin on Cab Franc, with wines that boast flavors of big, ripe fruit. Cab Franc is primed to grow in popularity as wine drinkers honor California and […]

Nevada City Winery featuring David Arnold photography in January

The Artist of the Month at Nevada City Winery is photographer David Arnold. The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is proud to partner with Nevada County Arts in an effort to increase awareness of the intersection between arts and the environment. Icescapes, a featured exhibition of the 2018 Wild and Scenic Film Festival, is a series […]

Tasting notes: Smith Vineyard turns 30, Nevada City Winery’s premium wines, Halloween Wine Walk

SMITH VINEYARD 30th ANNIVERSARY IN 1980, DR. WAYNE SMITH FULFILLED his desire to farm when he planted a vineyard in Grass Valley. The winery, housed in a restored red barn, opened in 1987. Nowadays, Wayne’s grandsons, the third generation, work alongside their parents, Gary and Chris, at the winery. Gary and Chris honored the fourth […]

The Big Crush: Wet winter leads to a fruitful harvest

THIS YEAR’S WINE GRAPE HARVEST WAS remarkably normal compared with past years, a relief to growers who have been suffering from the prolonged drought. Mother Nature delivered a wet winter and warm summer. Deploying well-sharpened shears, the vintners, laborers and volunteers fanned out into the vineyard, harvested the grapes, put them in bins (or lugs) […]

Tasting Notes: Naggiar, Smith, Nevada City Winery and Sierra Starr

NAGGIAR: WINE, MUSIC AND VINEYARD TOURS The winery’s new releases include a 2016 Viognier; 2016 Rosé, 2015 Root 49 (a blend of tempranillo, grenache and mourvèdre), a 2014 Sangiovese (a gold medal winner at the 2017 Pacific Rim wine competition), and a 2014 Petit Verdot. Naggiar’s Winefest concerts continue July 29 with a Steely Dan […]

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 […]

Winemaker dinners: Showcasing our local bounty

NOWHERE IS THE BOUNTY FROM our local food shed—from fruits, veggies and wine grapes to free-range beef, pork and lamb—better showcased than at our region’s winemaker dinners. The gatherings are hosted by chefs, winemakers and caterers in exceptional venues: historic buildings, such as Julia Morgan’s North Star House in Grass Valley; in a wine cave […]

Sierra Vintners’ wine trails on May 20, July 15 and September 23

THE FOOTHILLS HAVE SOME exceptional wine trail experiences on “roads less traveled”: “Grape Days of Summer” in Placer County, “Drink Pink” and “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 2017—in May, […]

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 […]

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