Placer Wine Country

Placer Wine Country

Lone Buffalo Vineyards

Lone Buffalo Vineyards, launched in 2007 in Auburn, CA is the culmination of owner and winemaker Phil Maddux’s thirty-five year passion for wine making. The buffalo's power and resilience in the face of encroaching civilization symbolizes hope and renewal for humanity and harmony among all people. Here in the Sierra foothills, Lone Buffalo Vineyards symbolizes this same hope and renewal with its contribution to the re-emergence of the wine-making tradition in Placer County.

Dono Dal Cielo Vineyards

The greatest pleasure of these wines is visiting the winery in person. Karen, Bill and Hunter, the family behind this delicious brand, are nothing less than welcoming and feel like family as you exit. While they have continued to produce the dominant Zin for the region they have expanded with branded Sav Blancs, Chards and even a Rosé. While many boutique wineries focus odd blends, high tannins and a focus on eclectic palates, Dono dal Cielo hones in on very "drinkable" wines.

Wise Villa Winery

The owner spent a lot of time on us explaining his wines and the winery's history. To be fair, there were not very many other customers. Still, he kept us entertained and conversed with us for well over an hour. We felt very welcome.Love how they work with their grapes. You know! if they promise me a bottle of the Sangiovese that I barrel-tasted today, I would probably give them another star.

Avanguardia Wines

Avanguardia Wines is a small, ultra-boutique winery located in Nevada City. Avanguardia Wines is the the home of non-traditional blended wines, with 100% of their wines being proprietary blends crafted from 2-6 different grape varieties, many of which are Italian, and all of which are pretty much out of the mainstream here in California. The address provided is to their Grass Valley tasting room.

Le Casque

We strolled in to find a huge courtyard area with lounge chairs surrounding a fire pit and a bar for tasting. We were welcomed by the owners (a husband and wife) and their daughter, who was doing the pouring. We tried a few of their wines, all of which were impressive but I instantly fell in love with the cab franc. The owner then took us on a tour of the facilities, explained their wine-making process, and gave us a taste of some young wines. We also had a chance to chat with the wine maker and and thank him for making such delicious wines.

Vina Castellano

Longtime Placer County residents, the Mendez Family, broke ground on their Auburn vineyard in 1999, with no illusions of simplicity. When Viña Castellano was started the family knew it was going to be a labor of love, with a strong emphasis on “labor”. Teena Wilkins, who co-owns and manages the vineyard and winery, is the youngest of Gabe and Carolyn Mendez’s four children. She and her father, along with her husband Craig and their vineyard & winery foreman, Victor Brambila, oversee the weekly work at the winery, but the entire family contribute to the winery in some form or fashion.

Smith Vineyard

Try the 2008 Primativo - spicy, black pepper,complexity, a real treat. On Saturdays they have live music to go along with great wine tasting. Gary and Christina Smith continue the fine art of winemaking and vineyard tending that Gary’s father began with his three sons. Now with three sons of their own, the Smiths handcraft small lots of classic varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Primitivo, Syrah and Chardonnay from their 10 acre certified organic vineyard near Grass Valley, CA.

Casque Wines

Casque Wines, an urban winery, is just 5 minutes off of I-80 at the Horseshoe Bar exit in Loomis. A tasting room during the day and wine bar at night on the patio. Casque invites you to listen to some great music every Saturday from 6-9 pm.

Fawnridge Winery

The Perry's have been avid wine lovers for thirty years. After living in North Lake Tahoe for fifteen years they moved to Auburn in 1989. The couple raised sheep together and cared for their property overlooking the Sacramento Valley. Upon learning that local grape growers were bringing back the grape and wine industry as it was during the historic Placer County Gold Rush era, they decided to develop vineyards on their property. With the help of friends they planted Barbera and Syrah in the summer of 2002. Stewart and Stephanie are personally involved in every aspect of the vineyard management and wine making process.

Pescatore Vineyards & Winery

Pescatore Vineyard & Winery is a small, family-owned estate. The winery's roots began when the owners started making wine 25 years ago as home winemakers. The vines were planted in 1997 and Pescatore Vineyards & Winery became a commercial winery in 2002. Dave & Patty and children with their spouses, Tim & Misti and Steve & Noelle manage the vineyards, winery & tasting room.

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