Placer Wine Country

Placer Wine Country

Fawnridge Winery

cluster of grapes

Stewart and Stephanie Perry are the owners of Fawnridge Winery and Vineyards, where they craft their award-winning wines on-site. Guests are welcome to meet them during their visits!

Stewart and Stephanie, accompanied by their dogs, are passionate wine lovers with thirty years of experience. After spending fifteen years in North Lake Tahoe, they relocated to Auburn in 1989. Together, they raised sheep and tended to their property, which overlooks the Sacramento Valley. Upon discovering that local grape growers were revitalizing the grape and wine industry reminiscent of the historic Placer County Gold Rush era, they decided to establish vineyards on their land. With assistance from friends, they planted Barbera and Syrah grapes in the summer of 2002. Stewart and Stephanie are deeply involved in every aspect of vineyard management and winemaking, committed to making Fawnridge Winery a world-class success.

The Barbera Vineyard
The Barbera vineyard is situated on one of the fertile hillsides of Fawnridge. The north-south orientation of the vines allows for ample sunlight, essential for this Italian grape. Meticulous, hands-on care ensures the vines produce full fruit and spicy characteristics, resulting in a truly premium wine.

The Syrah Vineyard
Syrah, a grape native to France, is cultivated on another hillside of the Fawnridge property. The careful management of this estate vineyard yields a luscious, flavor-filled Syrah in the French tradition, boasting dark color and a smooth finish that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning wine enthusiast.

Montoliva Vineyards & Winery

wine and cheese

Some of the original settlers of Chicago Park were first-generation Italian-Americans from Chicago, Illinois. The orchards and vineyards of Chicago Park bear witness to their quest to start a community in the untamed West that mirrored their homeland. Their spirit lives on at Montoliva Vineyard & Winery. Founded in 2000, Montoliva Vineyard & Winery creates Tuscan-inspired wines of uncommon depth and character.

Dono Dal Cielo Vineyards

artist version of a grape cluster

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.

Vina Castellano

Grape Cluster

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.

Cante Ao Vinho

wine pouring into glass

Cante Ao Vinho is Portuguese for "Sing to the wine" since we love to play beautiful music as we make our wine. Cante Ao Vinho is located just outside the city of Wheatland California, near Camp Far West Lake and Beal Air Force Base

Smith Vineyard

grape cluster - Pixabay

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, which 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.

Le Casque Wines

cluster of grapes

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.

Mt. Vernon Winery

clusters of grapes

Mt. Vernon Vineyard and Winery is a small, family-owned and operated winery nestled in the grassy foothills of Auburn, California. The Taylor family transforms Sierra Foothills grapes into outstanding, lush aromatic wines, featuring riveting fruit flavors that are fit for a president.

The winery provides a majestic view and a relaxing atmosphere. Regarded as the largest winery in Placer County since Prohibition, Mt. Vernon offers an exceptional selection of wines and unique blends that are sure to captivate the taste buds.

Established in 1996, Mt. Vernon is pioneering the production of various foothill grapes, including Old Vine Zinfandel, Syrah Port, Barbera, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold Country Nectar, and a Sur-lie aged barrel-fermented Chardonnay that is joining the Mt. Vernon collection.

Photo courtesy of photographer Randy Caparoso 

Wise Villa Winery

Aglianico Grape Clusters Courtesy of Randy Caparoso

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.  Image Aglianico Grape Clusters Courtesy of Randy Caparoso

Pescatore Vineyards & Winery

Tokey Grapes

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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