Below the snow belt: Satellite ski towns

“SATELLITE SKI COMMUNITIES ARE THE new dream,” according to Powder magazine Though a little farther from the ski slopes, so-called satellite ski towns still have easy access, a vibrant cultural scene, and are more affordable. The foothills is blessed with an abundance of them: AUBURN ExploreAuburnCa.com Auburn helped bring skiing to the Sierra. The Auburn […]

Below the ski belt: Satellite ski towns

“Unless you have a family inheritance, or somehow snagged one of the few affordable rentals, living in a traditional ski town is a less viable option than ever,” observes Powder Magazine. “Unable to afford the old ones, young, adventurous people are making new ones.” Though a little farther from the ski slopes, so-called satellite ski […]

AmadorArts Winefest

  AmadorArts WineFest The 20th annual AmadorArts Winefest is November 11 in historic Sutter Creek. Taste local wines in 25 shops while strolling Main Street from 4:30-7 p.m. From 7-9 p.m., go to the Sutter Creek Auditorium for live music, desserts, dessert wines, and a silent auction, including wine, art and gifts. For tickets, visit […]

Explore Amador County: Food, wine and art

A FALL ROAD TRIP IN THE SIERRA and the surrounding foothills is an ideal getaway: Brilliant fall foliage, historic Gold Rush towns, fruit orchards, pumpkin patches, and wine and beer tasting. Bring along your mountain bike, hiking boots, and bird-watching binoculars to complete the experience. Some of our favorite road trips include Old Hwy. 40 […]

A Sense of Place

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep.” – Robert Frost in Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening FEW PEOPLE DO A BETTER JOB OF creating a sense of place than Robert Frost—in his case, describing life in rural New England. In […]

Hotel Sutter: Where history meets comfort

ALONG WITH WATERING HOLES and movie houses, Gold Rush-era hotels have long been economic anchors for Mother Lode towns. Just as saloons such as the Golden Era lounge in Nevada City are being restored, historic hotels also are being renovated—helping to revitalize the downtowns and their surroundings. The Hotel Sutter in Sutter Creek (Amador County) […]

Gold Rush towns: Pairing food and wine with winter sports

THOUGH MOUNTAIN RESORTS ARE appealing, some people would rather stay out of the deep snow and take easy day-trips to the slopes. In Colorado, Après Ski Denver now has a following. Here’s a locals’ secret in the Sierra foothills—historic towns such as Nevada City, Grass Valley, Auburn, Sutter Creek and Plymouth are all less congested […]

Amador Vintners hosts “Behind the Cellar Door” March 3-5

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—or cycling, hiking, fishing 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 […]

Wine grape harvest is underway: earliest in years

This year’s grape harvest, one of the earliest in years, is now underway — in the foothills and throughout Northern California. It will continue into October, when the last cabernet sauvignon grape is picked. The warm weather resulted in an earlier bud break, with a warm summer, leading to an earlier harvest. Smaller berries with […]

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