AMADOR COUNTY WINE TOURS
About Amador:
Located in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in central California, Amador County boasts 2,700 acres of wine grapes – - a high percentage of which are farmed organically – - and 25 wineries. The majority of the wineries are in the northern part of the county in the Shenandoah Valley and Fiddletown appellations. In these areas, vines are planted almost exclusively on rolling hillsides ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 feet in elevation. The moderately dense soils effectively retain Amador’s 36 to 38 inches of annual rainfall, enabling most growers to dry-farm their vineyards, which contributes to low crop yields. These small yields, the vines’ sparse canopies (allowing excellent sunlight penetration into the vine), warm climate, and Amador’s high solar radiance ensure complete maturation of the fruit. Equally important, temperatures typically drop 30-35 degrees in the evening as breezes cascade down from the Sierras. This rapid cooling helps the grapes retain the acidity essential to balanced wines. Amador’s production of robust, intensely flavored red wines also is attributable to its high percentage of old vines: roughly a quarter of the total vineyard acreage is 60 years or older, including several vineyards dating to the 19th century. These deeply rooted vines, primarily zinfandel, develop tiny crops of small-berried grapes which produce the heady zinfandels for which Amador County is renowned. Today, where gold once reigned, twenty-five wineries produce a new treasure: the superb wines which have earned Amador County international recognition. |
Pricing:
(Based on 6 Hours)
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Proposed Itinerary:
Nine Gables Vineyard and Winery
Committed to making wines in small batch fermentations with a hands-on, handcrafted approach. Better flavors come from fermenting the grapes in small batches and hand-punching them many times a day for maximum extraction of flavors, colors and aromas. The wine is then stored for 18 months in Oak barrels. Stainless steel tanks at Nine Gables are used mostly for blending and storing wines.
Sobon Estate Winery
Sobon Estate Winery started in 1989 when Leon and Shirley Sobon bought each other a second winery for their 30th wedding anniversary present. They purchased the historic D'Agostini Winery, one of the oldest in the state. This winery has been designated as California State Historic Landmark #762. This site was chosen not only for its historical winery, but also for its vineyards and vineyard land. The old vine Zinfandel was retained, and the other vineyards replanted with the best varieties and clones. The Sobon Estate label launched the estate line of wines for the Sobon Family -- the best wines from their own grapes. These include Rhone varietals, vineyard designated Zinfandels, and dessert wines.
Renwood Winery
Renwood is Destination Zin! Our wines start with separately fermented small lots of fruit, hand-picked from gnarled old head-trained vines dating back to the 19th century. These elderly vines produce a scant crop but the quality is excellent and exhibits the classic markers of Amador Zinfandel, dusty berry and spice. We work closely with many local growers that have farmed these vineyards for generations and our selection of diverse fruits allows us to highlight the unique characteristics in our different cuvees. Taste through them all to discover your favorite! Renwood Winery produces limited production Zinfandel, Rhone and Italian varietal wines exclusively for our tasting room.
Stop for Lunch at Amador Vintage Market
The Amador Vintage Market is a traditional, wine country marketplace offering a gourmet deli, delectable deserts, and a variety of beverages. They have everything to make your day perfect including wonderful picnic lunches. All items are available as Take Away
Don't see the winery you're looking for? Contact us, we can customize a tour just for your group.
Nine Gables Vineyard and Winery
Committed to making wines in small batch fermentations with a hands-on, handcrafted approach. Better flavors come from fermenting the grapes in small batches and hand-punching them many times a day for maximum extraction of flavors, colors and aromas. The wine is then stored for 18 months in Oak barrels. Stainless steel tanks at Nine Gables are used mostly for blending and storing wines.
Sobon Estate Winery
Sobon Estate Winery started in 1989 when Leon and Shirley Sobon bought each other a second winery for their 30th wedding anniversary present. They purchased the historic D'Agostini Winery, one of the oldest in the state. This winery has been designated as California State Historic Landmark #762. This site was chosen not only for its historical winery, but also for its vineyards and vineyard land. The old vine Zinfandel was retained, and the other vineyards replanted with the best varieties and clones. The Sobon Estate label launched the estate line of wines for the Sobon Family -- the best wines from their own grapes. These include Rhone varietals, vineyard designated Zinfandels, and dessert wines.
Renwood Winery
Renwood is Destination Zin! Our wines start with separately fermented small lots of fruit, hand-picked from gnarled old head-trained vines dating back to the 19th century. These elderly vines produce a scant crop but the quality is excellent and exhibits the classic markers of Amador Zinfandel, dusty berry and spice. We work closely with many local growers that have farmed these vineyards for generations and our selection of diverse fruits allows us to highlight the unique characteristics in our different cuvees. Taste through them all to discover your favorite! Renwood Winery produces limited production Zinfandel, Rhone and Italian varietal wines exclusively for our tasting room.
Stop for Lunch at Amador Vintage Market
The Amador Vintage Market is a traditional, wine country marketplace offering a gourmet deli, delectable deserts, and a variety of beverages. They have everything to make your day perfect including wonderful picnic lunches. All items are available as Take Away
Don't see the winery you're looking for? Contact us, we can customize a tour just for your group.