This is a boutique winery with a wonderful tasting room full of comfy leather chairs. They make mostly reds (sometimes a rose), and I must say they are wonderful, especially the pinots! Plan to spend a while and chat with the owner, and plan for generous pours.
Discover the Charm of Terre Rouge and Easton Wines: A Journey Through California's Rhône Varietals
Located in the heart of Amador County, Terre Rouge and Easton Wines is a captivating story of passion and dedication, brought to life by the dynamic husband-and-wife duo, Bill Easton and Jane O’Riordan. Established in the late 1980s, this winery is a must-visit for any California wine lover eager to explore the unique flavors of the Sierra Foothills.
A Winemaker’s Journey
Bill Easton’s winemaking adventure began in the 1970s when he founded Solano Cellars, a Berkeley wine shop specializing in artisanal wines from around the globe. His experiences in the shop and extensive travels through Europe shaped his refined palate and distinctive winemaking style. Bill's approach celebrates balance and elegance, creating wines that evolve beautifully over time—a practice the French call élevage, or "raising" the wine in the bottle. Each bottle not only offers immediate enjoyment but also hints at its potential for further aging.
In 1986, Bill crafted his first Rhône red blend, marking the start of his serious winemaking journey. By 1994, the couple had moved to their current winery and expanded their portfolio, with Bill earning recognition as one of the original Rhône Rangers and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 for his pioneering efforts in bringing Rhône varietals to the Sierra Foothills.
Culinary Creativity
Jane O’Riordan’s entrepreneurial spirit shines brightly alongside Bill’s winemaking. She launched her first business, Cottonfield, in 1975, a fabric shop that inspired creativity through quilting and garment making. When the opportunity arose to expand Solano Cellars, Jane took on the role of chef at their Bistro, where she crafted a rotating menu that perfectly paired with Bill’s wine selections. Today, Jane continues to bring her culinary expertise to Terre Rouge and Easton events, delighting guests with her delicious creations.
The Terroir of Terre Rouge
The name Terre Rouge, meaning "Red Earth," beautifully reflects the region's distinctive vermillion soil, a defining characteristic of their vineyards. The land, rich in granite and volcanic minerals, nurtures a diverse array of Rhône varietals, including Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Viognier, Roussanne, and Marsanne. The high elevation of their vineyards—reaching up to 3,200 feet—adds complexity and depth to each bottle.
Easton Wines: A Tribute to Tradition
Bill's family name graces the Easton label, which showcases non-Rhône varietals that thrive in the Sierra Foothills. Here, ancient and old-vine Zinfandel, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc shine, alongside emerging varietals like Grenache Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc. Each wine is crafted with a deep respect for the region's history and potential.
Visit Terre Rouge and Easton Wines
For wine enthusiasts seeking an unforgettable experience, Terre Rouge and Easton Wines offers more than just tastings; it’s an invitation to explore the artistry of winemaking in one of California’s most beautiful regions. Join Bill and Jane for a sip of their exceptional wines, paired with delightful culinary creations, and immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Amador County’s wine country.
Over the past 30 years, Fieldbrook Valley Winery has grown from a garage based operation to an efficient facility with separaate production and storage areas. Although Fieldbrook's equipment is capable of producing greater volumes of wine, Fieldbrook Valley limits production to less than 2000 cases a year. Their goal is to emphasize regional diversity and varietal intensity.
A small winery dedicated to showcasing the unique, outstanding qualities of the estate vineyard, Quail Hill Vineyard. The tasting room is actually modern but not cold since it opens up to a beautiful patio. They have awesome gardens and vines and its a great atmosphere for a sunny day.
Established in 1998, La Seremissima vineyards cover a gentle slope facing the Pacific Coast Trail in San Diego North County. The vineyard and winery's name, La Serenissima, pays homage to the most Serene Republic of Venice, for centuries the cultural center of the Mediterranean, where the tradition of wine making flourished, giving civilization the precious gift of wine. Annual production is limited to 1000 cases.
Patrick Melley is Winemaker and Co-Founder of Russian Hill and Talawind Ranch wineries.
Patrick’s path to becoming Russian Hill’s Winemaker was fueled by a love of food and wine. A self-taught winemaker, Patrick developed his love of wine through attending FIU, a leading food and beverage college in Florida, coupled with many years of working in the restaurant business. He became a restaurant manager for an international affiliation of restaurants and one of his favorite responsibilities was developing their wine lists. This diverse exposure to wines from around the world refined his palate and sparked a life-long passion for wine and wine and food pairing.
The natural next step was for Patrick to make wine himself. In 1989 he started making wine at home and in 1993, he-co-founded Benicia Cellars Winery, where he was responsible for the general development of the company, grape acquisition and winemaking.
In 1997, Patrick and his partners moved to the Russian River Valley and founded Russian Hill Estate Winery. Here, Patrick could pursue his passion for Pinot noir and other cool climate varietals and make wine from the surrounding estate vineyards.
You really do feel like family at Frias Family Vineyard. Had the opportunity to taste here with a car service we hired and were greeted by Manny. It was a rainy December day so we tasted indoors, but Manny pointed out to the vineyard where there are chairs on the hillside to taste when it's sunny. Definitely need to come back to taste with that view. Manny is also a bit of a comedian which pairs well with the wine! The Frias wines we tasted across the board were darn good. From the Chardonnay to the Rose to the many Cabs, it's all well done
Welcome to Wood Family Vineyards Livermore Valley Wine Wood Family Vineyards is a family run winery located in the eastern foothills of Livermore Valley. Specializing in limited production handcrafted wines, Michael, Rhonda, Harrison and Parker all have a hand in the winemaking process - along with many friends and family.
Robert Renzoni Vineyards continues the tradition begun by their ancestors. That of creating the finest of wines for your enjoyment.
A long-standing member of the Santa Barbara winemaking community, Whitcraft Winery is obsessed with producing the highest quality wines. Their signature varietals are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah, but also produce a variety of other unique, hand-crafted varietals.
