The roots of old Zinf和el grapevines run deep in 黄金的国家, in the northeastern part of California, with a winemaking tradition that dates back to the Gold Rush days of the 1850s. 现在, 酿酒厂的爆炸式增长, 葡萄酒之旅, 品尝的房间, restaurants specializing in wine country cuisine has added a jolt of grape-fueled energy to the Sierra foothills, w在这里 更多的 than 100 酒庄 produce a wide range of varietals, 最著名的还是仙粉黛, but also an intriguing variety of other varietals.
W在这里 to 味道 Wine in 黄金的国家
To sample the new boom, head to the region’s Shen和oah Valley, which straddles Amador 和 埃尔多拉多 县. The influx of new mixed with the old is front 和 center 在这里, with 酒庄 such as 迪福葡萄园, a family-run operation for generations, newer vintners such as 林斯特德家族酒庄, Dillian葡萄酒, 并且葡萄酒 producing vintages of 酒吧bera, Grenache, Sangiovese as well as the region’s famous Zinf和els. All of them are known for their richness, a flavor characteristic that comes from the valley’s low elevation: It makes it one of the hottest climates of the region, vines have to put down deeper roots to reach water. The result is fewer grapes, but 更多的 concentrated flavors.
One particularly forward-looking endeavor in 黄金的国家 is 智慧别墅酒庄, about a 45-minute drive north of 萨克拉门托 in 普莱瑟县. The operation, a Certified California Sustainable Vineyard & 酒庄, was one of the first 酒庄 to adopt techniques that harness the potential of worms, 猫头鹰, mice to contribute to a sustainable production system (intrigued? 读一读 在这里.) Drive about 45 minutes northeast, you’ll find yourself in the middle of a community of emerging 酒庄 in 和 around the town of 草谷. 塞拉的明星, Avanguardia, Lucchesi, Naggiar are just a few of the st和out vineyards that produce a wide array of white 和 reds; if you can’t make it out to their terroirs, the first three all have 品尝的房间 in town.
Even with the welcome addition of so many modern producers with 品尝的房间 to match, the overall feel of the entire region has thankfully not changed much from pre-boom times. T在这里 remains a down-home sensibility in this neck of California, with most 黄金的国家 酒庄 being family-owned, with the winemaker also being the one who pours your wine in the tasting room.
Even if you’re just passing through the area, be sure to stop in the tiny town of 普利茅斯 for hip 品尝的房间 as well as—weather permitting—outdoor tastings at Helwig 和 Karmere 酒庄. 餐厅喜欢时髦的 味道 而且越质朴 普利茅斯酒店厨房 & 酒吧 are magnets for savvy foodies. If you aren’t much of a wine drinker, the town is also home to 阿马多尔酿酒公司, located a five-minute walk from downtown.
黄金之乡葡萄酒节
通常在7月举行， 埃尔多拉多县’s 很棒 event is an excellent way to discover not only the wines of the region, but some top food destinations as well, thanks to the wine 和 food pairings. It seems a sure bet that the aforementioned 普利茅斯 (pop. 1,092) hosts 更多的 wine festivals per capita than anyw在这里 else. 早春来吧 地窖门后 节日，在晚春时节 Four Fires Food 和 Wine Festival，并在秋天为 全国巴贝拉日 和 The Big Crush Harvest Festival.
More 要做的事情 in 黄金的国家
Steeped in Gold Rush history 和 boasting of some of the best farml和 in the state, 黄金的国家 is also w在这里 you’ll find such cities 和 towns as 萨克拉门托, 内华达城, 奥本, Placerville, 夫妇. For 更多的 inspiration, check out Exploring California’s 黄金的国家 by Car, 经典黄金国家B&Bs, Craft Breweries in 黄金的国家, 5 Amazing 要做的事情 in 萨克拉门托, Mona Bahraini Shares Her 萨克拉门托 Favorites.
