Everything we tasted was so good.The staff at the winery are more than willing to talk with you about the history of the wine and the grounds. It is THE place to go for lavender lovers - especially in the Summer when they have their lavender festival.

In 1992, Peirano Estate Vineyards began bottling and selling wine using their estate grown grapes. Until this point, Lance Randolph, fourth generation Peirano, produced wine simply for his enjoyment and that of his close family and friends. The rest of the grapes were sold to winemakers across the country. It was well-known amongst Lance’s family and friends that he had a knack for making well-balanced, elegant wines but was not interested in selling it to the masses. At their insistence, Lance began bottling and selling his wine to wine enthusiasts throughout the United States.

Ken Deaver, with his signature denims and cowboy hat, bends his broad shoulders to uncork a bottle of Zinfandel, a task that reveals his deep knowledge of both wine and grapes.

A tour across Deaver's 300 acres offers a glimpse of history, with 140-year-old Zinfandel vines and eight acres of Mission vines, originally brought from Mexico by Jesuits and Franciscans. These Mission vines were planted around 1854 by Ken Deaver's great-grandfather, John Davis, and a decade later, Ken’s grandfather planted the now-famous Zinfandel vines.

For years, Deaver's "old vine" grapes were sold primarily to home winemakers. The first vintage of Deaver Vineyards Zinfandel was bottled under the "Lakeshore" label in 1985.

Today, Deaver Vineyards is celebrated worldwide for its velvety Zinfandels. The Tuscan-like climate of Amador County also provides ideal conditions for producing exceptional Sangiovese, Barbera, and rich Ports.

With over four generations of Deavers cultivating grapes in Amador County, Deaver Vineyards boasts a deep heritage. Known for its velvety Zinfandel and some of the oldest vines in the region, their wines are widely regarded as true classics.

The founders, Mario and Linda Clough, were enjoying a glass of wine on the hilltop of their beautiful property when Mario shared his dream of owning a vineyard and winery. This dream quickly evolved into a shared passion, leading to the founding of Lucchesi Vineyards and Winery. With the support of friends, family, and their five children, the vines were planted in 2000. Since then, this stunning, view-filled vineyard in Grass Valley has remained family-owned and operated.

The Land
The 20-acre vineyard and winery is nestled in the Sierra Foothills, offering breathtaking views of Nevada County and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The southwestern exposure of the land maximizes sunlight, allowing the grapes to ripen perfectly, resulting in concentrated flavor, color, and texture. The finest grapes in the Sierra Foothills grow here, serving as the foundation for their artisanally crafted wines. The Cloughs’ love for the land is reflected in every bottle, and they hope visitors can taste this passion while enjoying wine tastings at their beautiful Grass Valley winery.

The Wines
Lucchesi Vineyards specializes in traditionally crafted wines produced in small lots to capture their varietal character and regional qualities. The winery currently grows 16 different varietals, including Zinfandel, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Pinot Grigio, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah, and Petit Verdot, along with three Portuguese Port varietals: Tinto Cão, Tinta Negra Molé, and Touriga Nacional. They invite everyone to come for wine tasting at the vineyard, which is open daily from 12 PM to 5 PM.

Photo courtesy of photographer Randy Caparoso