In the heart of California’s scenic Gold Rush Country, Ironstone Vineyards will surprise and delight you with a winery that places as much emphasis on the natural beauty and history of their surroundings, as they do on the quality of their wines.
Once upon a time, not so long ago, in a valley known more for cattle ranching than vineyards that the story begins. It was the Winter of 1999 when Frog's Tooth Vineyards began its life as a tadpole with the purchase of 67 acres of land in the Salt Springs Valley of Calaveras County. It slowly grew through infancy until the Spring of 2003 when it began its transition to adolescence with the planting of approximately 10 acres of premium wine grapes.
Bodega del Sur is the culmination of a dream of Evelyn and Victor Reyes-Umana. Victor began his love affair with wine in his native El Salvador. Moving to California and later in life, traveling around the world, solidified his appreciation for wines and increased his curiosity for the various wine styles of the different regions of the world.While visiting some friends in Chile in 1993, Victor and Evelyn had the great opportunity to visit many of the small, family owned wineries, and it was then that Victor uttered the fateful words, "This is what I would like to do when I retire".
The people were friendly and even though they didn't have a lot of white wine to taste their red wines were plentiful. The tasting room in Murphys is nice but you have to experience the winery and the trip to the winery to fully appreciate this twisted place. Of course, not everyone is into rubber chickens...
Hatcher Winery was founded in 2002 by owner/winemaker Matthew Hatcher. His skills as a winemaker have put this winery on the map and the tasting room in Murphys is a very popular stop for wine lovers in the Sierra Foothills. Matthew Hatcher is the owner and winemaker, and his wine making talents have put Hatcher on the don't miss list of Foothill wineries.
Explore Calaveras County, where there is plenty of sunshine and wine to soak up. Nestled at the base of the Sierra Foothills, Appaloosa Vineyard, home to Prospect 772 winery, is just under a 2-hour drive from Oakland. Boasting pristine vineyard views, a gorgeous new winery and tasting room bar, shaded bocce ball court and amazing wines, make Prospect 772 your next wine tasting destination.
Rich and Siri Gilpin are the owners and operators of Lavender Ridge Vineyard. Rich has a BS degree in Enology from the University of Davis, CA. He has 25 years of experience in the wine industry and comes from a background of making wine for reputable wineries in Healdsburg, Napa, and the Sierra Foothill regions of California. Rich and Siri both have a passion for organic farming and the use of herbs in the culinary arts, including the use of lavender in special dishes they have created. You'll have to visit them at their tasting room to find out more details.
In terms of the setting and the value, it would be hard to beat Indian Rock. Indian Rock is a little ways of the beaten path but definitely worth the drive and time. If you are a port fan then you will really like taking the time to go there.
After three years of traveling to various wine regions of the world, Charles B. Mitchell has returned the vineyards to operate with the highest standards possible. With estate grown fruit this winery strives for the highest quality from vineyard to bottle.
The girl that poured for us was the single most welcoming and knowledgeable tasting room employee we dealt with that day. She was interested in what we were looking for but gently encouraged us to try some other wines they had available without being pushy.Most of all when you walk out of the winery you come away with such a great experience.
