Good Times Return to Wine Making

NATURE HAS BEEN KIND TO CALIFORNIA WINEMAKERS this year. It has been a splendid growing season, starting with a quick bloom this spring and ending with warm days and cool nights during the harvest.

This has led to renewed optimism for winemakers, who have contended with topsy-turvy weather and economic hardship in recent years.

A bountiful harvest—both in quantity and quality—could lead to some fine wines, the growers agree. Some winemakers are enthusiastic enough to plan for new grape vines next spring.

SCENIC “DESTINATION” WINERIES
Naggiar Vineyards’ Mediterranean-style wine tasting room is set amid 60 acres of family-owned vineyards. It is a pleasant ride along a bucolic road, studded with oak trees on rolling hillsides. Coveys of quail are visible and there’s an eccentric touch — a herd of buffalo as you approach the winery.

In Penn Valley, Pilot Peak’s flowering terraces offer commanding views of the surrounding hillsides. Bent Metal Winery has sweeping views of the Sierra.

DOWNTOWN TASTING ROOMS
The wineries’ tasting rooms are located in Gold Rush-era buildings in downtown Grass Valley and Nevada City. There’s local art, live music and appetizers to enjoy too.

The Grass Valley tasting rooms include Avanguardia, Lucchesi, Sierra Starr, Smith and the Grass Valley Wine Co. (Bent Metal, Pilot Peak and Solune in a tasting-room co-op). The Nevada City tasting rooms are Indian Springs, Nevada City Winery, Szabo Vineyards and Clavey Wines.

(photo credit: Dan Senkbeil)