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, […]

“Gen Wine”: More millennials drinking wine instead of beer

WE REGULARLY VISIT OUR REGION’S wineries to sip new varietals, taste from the barrel and meet with winemakers. We also enjoy meeting other winery guests. Though most of them are retirees, or boomers like ourselves, we notice more millennials at local wineries and tasting rooms. We’ve run into these unpretentious and adventurous wine drinkers at […]

Artisan pizza abounds in Grass Valley, Nevada City and Truckee

THE ITALIANS WHO CAME TO THE FOOTHILLS in the Gold Rush-era brought winemaking to the region, but they also introduced the tradition of baking in stone ovens. Area restaurants and wineries have revived the tradition, from North Auburn to Grass Valley to Nevada City to Truckee. Sierra Knolls’ Bear River Wine Tasting room, just off […]

Jardin del Rio Farmstand opens June 22 at Sierra Knolls’ Bear River Tasting Room

One of the most delightful Sierra foothills’ farmstands is Jardin del Rio, located at Sierra Knolls’ Bear River Tasting Room on Highway 49. (Jardin del Rio is pronounced “Hardin,” with the Spanish pronunciation of the “j” sounding like an “h.”) This weekend we received notice that the farm stand is opening on June 22: Next […]

Sierra Knolls new wood-burning pizza oven is a masterpiece

THE ITALIANS WHO CAME TO THE Gold Country in the mid-1800s brought winemaking to the region—but they also introduced the culinary tradition of baking in stone ovens. Many Italian families used outdoor stone ovens to bake bread, a vital part of Italian culture. “Around 100 stone ovens have been identified in Calaveras, Amador and Tuolumne […]

Colfax Hwy. Wine Tour: Visit Montoliva and Solune

LIKE SAMPLING CHEESE, we enjoy savoring Sierra Vintners’ wineries in “small bites”: A trip along Hwy. 49 to visit Sierra Knolls’ Bear River Wine Tasting room and Naggiar, for example; or a drive along McCourtney Road outside Grass Valley to visit Bent Metal, continuing along Indian Springs Road into Penn Valley, stopping at Pilot Peak. […]

Tasting Notes: Barrel Tasting, Gifts, “Holiday in the Hills”

BARREL TASTING This is a unique opportunity to sample wine straight from the barrel before it is finished. It gives you a chance to learn how wine ages. The wine is drawn from the barrel with a long glass tube, or “thief,” and poured into your glass by the winemaker. Sometimes barrel tasting is a […]

Visit Sierra Vintners: Taste among the barrels

SIERRA VINTNERS IS A CLUSTER of wineries in scenic Nevada County. They are nestled in the foothills around historic Nevada City and Grass Valley, just north of I-80, between Reno and Sacramento. It’s a personal, unhurried wine tasting experience along “roads less traveled.” Nevada County is a rising star in Northern California wine country. The […]

Tasting Notes: “Uncorked,” Movies, Pizza & Wine

UNCORKED IN NEVADA CITY August 4, 1-5 p.m., in the historic downtown. Wander through Nevada City, enjoying its charm and a sampling of local wines and foods. More than 20 wineries and restaurants are participating. WINE, FOOD & MUSIC Naggiar’s Winefest at its spectacular “destination” winery includes tribute bands, such as Joel The Band (Billy […]

Sierra Vintners Wine Trail: Meet the winemakers

THE SIERRA VINTNERS’ WINE TRAIL on June 2-3, from noon-5 p.m., is an ideal way to explore the Gold Country, while enjoying wine tasting, food, live music and art displays in spectacular settings. Your journey begins on the back roads of Nevada County, where you’ll find small, family-owned wineries that produce premium, award-winning wines. Along […]

  • Follow us on PinterestFollow us on Pinterest