Explore the Placer Wine Trail

THE PLACER COUNTY WINE TRAIL IS A group of premier wineries in Auburn and Newcastle that are working together to raise awareness of their award-winning wines. Wine Trail wineries are open for tasting on weekends and participating wineries include Baumbach, Dono dal Cielo, Fawnridge, Lone Buffalo, Mt. Vernon and Viña Castellano.

This year, the group is hosting Grape Days of Summer Aug. 6-8, which includes winery tours with tastings, food pairings and music, as well as a winemaker dinner. (Go to PlacerWine.com for more information).

There is a renaissance going on in the hills of Placer. Vineyards are returning to the foothill slopes that, before Prohibition, had more wineries than the Napa and Sonoma region combined.

Most Placer wineries are family-owned and operated, with small vineyards, and the winemakers are part of the charm. You’ll often get a chance to meet them while wine tasting.

Wines include Syrah, Barbera and Viognier, the Spanish Tempranillo and favorites such as Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc.

Two popular wineries on the trail are Lone Buffalo Vineyards and Dono dal Cielo, located at opposite ends of the Newcastle region of Placer County. Lone Buffalo Vine- yards’ signature wine, a Rhone-style blend called Where the Buffalo Roam, is becoming one of the most honoredwines in the region,
winning a “Best of Class” award at the California State Fair this summer.

“The recognition from the judges at these competitions supports what local vintners have long known,” says Phillip Maddux, owner and winemaker of Lone Buffalo in Auburn. “Placer County is a premier wine region, capable of producing excellent wines.”
Dono dal Cielo specializes in award-winning Zinfandel wines. Dono dal Cielo, meaning “gift from heaven” is owned by longtime Newcastle residents William and Karen McGillivray.

“There is a lot of Zinfandel made up here but not many great Zinfandels—and that is William and Karen’s intention,” says winemaker Derek Irwin.

Dono dal Cielo and Lone Buffalo wines are poured at Carpe Vino and Latitudes restaurants in Auburn; and Cafe Zorro in Loomis. Both are also sold at Newcastle Pro-
duce and Total Wine & More in Roseville.