Terre Rouge and Easton Wines

Founded in the late 1980s by Bill Easton and Jane O’Riordan, Terre Rouge and Easton Wines has established itself as a notable presence in the wine industry. Winemaker Bill Easton, one of the original Rhône Rangers, pioneered the cultivation of Rhône varietals in the Sierra Foothills under the TERRE ROUGE label. The EASTON portfolio features Amador County favorites, including old vine Zinfandel and Barbera.

The wines produced by Terre Rouge and Easton are characterized by their balance and elegance, with complexity that evolves as they age in the bottle. This process, known in French as élevage, refers to the "raising" of wine in the bottle. There is a distinct art to this style of winemaking, offering great pleasure in wines that are ready to enjoy while still holding significant potential for future aging.

Photo courtesy of photographer Randy Caparoso

This is way off the beaten path, but it is worth a stop if you're exploring the East valley or coming in from the 41. We stopped here on a whim after blowing through our wine budget at another winery down the road. I live to regret that. It's easy to miss and the road up to the tasting room makes you initially feel like you're in the wrong place, but the views are great at the top from the dinky building. It's remote, so you'll most likely be alone with your party, anyway. That's good because max capacity feels like it would be around six. The lady working the tasting counter is super cool. This is a no frills place, but that's what I love about the wine culture of Paso. They don't have a big selection of pours here, but what they offer is great. Half of the wines were cuvees, which I enjoy because there is something intimate about them, like enjoying the food of a chef you are a fan of. You submit to their palate. That being said, the Twisted wines are very good, especially the older of the two that were out for sampling. Hands down the best, though, is the cab. Artwork by Wine Artist Agata Zaborowski – Agata Art Gallery  Gallery | Agata Art Gallery

This is a small vineyard making only 3500-4000 cases a year. A varitey for wines to choose from. Alicante Bouschet, Barbera, Barbera Rosato, Black Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Port, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Shiraz / Syrah, Tempranillo, Verdelho, Vinho Tinto, Viognier, Zinfandel

Photo courtesy of photographer Randy Caparoso

This small, out-of-the-way winery, owned and run by a husband-and-wife team, specializes in (of all things!) white wines in Napa Valley, and they do a great job of it. There is a distinct nostalgic charm to Stony Hill. From the wonderful tour and tasting offered by Willinda, to the lovely, intimate setting and the purity of the wines, this winery offers an experience that cannot be found in most Napa Valley wineries. It is a reminder of the old days when tradition, culture, family and commitment meant more than chasing wine rating scores or optimizing profits.