Explore California’s El Dorado Wine Country—rich Gold Rush history, Sierra Foothills AVA vineyards, and unforgettable tasting experiences.
The history of El Dorado County is rich and colorful, with specks of gold threading its way through this Sierra Foothill wine region. Located just northeast of Sacramento, El Dorado Wine Country lies within the Sierra Foothills American Viticultural Area (AVA), which includes El Dorado County AVA, its Fairplay sub-AVA, and the Apple Hill and Camino regions. Let’s delve deeper into El Dorado, its history, and its affinity for the Alpine fragrance of Sierra spice.
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What Role Did the California Gold Rush Play in the El Dorado Wine Industry?
The lust for gold emerged in 1848 when James Marshall discovered gold at Sutter’s Mill. As gold miners and prospectors flocked to California to seek their fortune, many industries developed in the Sierra Foothills. Towns like Sutter’s Creek and Placerville developed.
The historic town of Placerville, CA, was one of the early towns that grew out of the 1849 California Gold Rush. Photo by pabradyphoto via iStock by Getty Images
After a day of panning for gold, those miners, also known as 49ers, needed their nightly dose of spirits, also called liquid gold. Many of California’s first wineries, breweries, and distilleries were established during this industrious hunt for gold. The winemakers found the terrain similar to that of France. Hence, many French varietals grow in the region.
El Dorado is Known for the Mission Grape
Mr. Stevens planted the first vineyard in 1849 near the town of Rescue with the Mission grape. The grape was originally brought to California by Franciscan Friars. This grape, known as the “native” or “Los Angeles” variety, did not produce the best wine because it lacked structure and character, but it does make a marvelous dessert wine called Angelica. Angelica is created by adding brandy to the fermenting wine, allowing the two to age together to produce an opulent, amber-colored wine with a sweet, nutty quality. This wine was extremely popular among miners during the Gold Rush.
Vintage Bottle of Angelica. Photo by Cori Solomon
Agriculture in El Dorado County
By the late 1800s, 2,000 acres were planted with grapes, making El Dorado County the third-largest grape-growing region in the state. When Prohibition started, the wine industry came to a halt unless it was sacramental wine.
By the 1950s, the wine industry and viticulture in El Dorado County had declined. Farmers removed the vines and planted pear orchards. In the 1960s, the pear decline disease gradually devastated the local agricultural industry. The decline of the pear industry paved the way for the revival of the wine industry. Many farmers started planting apple trees and wine grapes as alternatives to pears. The 1970s began the new El Dorado Wine Country and viniculture in the Sierra Foothills.
What is the Sierra Foothills AVA?
Established in 1987, the Sierra Foothills AVA encompasses eight counties: Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Mariposa. It stretches about 160 miles long and lies East of Sacramento.
The region is known for its alpine-style wines, characterized by a fresh balance, and Sierra Spice, which is influenced by snowmelt water, local trees, and flora, including pines and evergreens. These characteristics add brightness and acidity to the wines.
Sierra Foothills AVA wines are known for Sierra Spice, with characteristics of brightness and acidity.
Pines along the Lake at Starfield Vineyards. Photo by Cori Solomon
What is the El Dorado AVA?
The El Dorado AVA is defined by the mountains where the grapes grow, with most wineries situated at higher elevations. Established in 1983, it is the largest AVA in El Dorado County. The name comes from the Spanish word for “The Gilded One.” At that time, El Dorado was one of California’s larger wine producers and the state’s oldest wine region.
Due to the cooler nights, it favors grapes with thicker skins, resulting in wines with bolder flavors, greater depth, and complexity.
El Dorado AVA wines are known for bold flavors, great depth, and complexity.
What is the Fairplay AVA?
Nestled within the El Dorado AVA is the Fairplay AVA. Established in 2001, this AVA is recognized for its volcanic soils and for producing wines with intensity and complexity. Fairplay gets its name from an old mining camp during the California Gold Rush.
The Fairply sub-AVA wines are known for intensity and complexity.
What are Some Must-Visit Wineries in El Dorado Wine Country?
Besides the common themes of elevation, Sierra Spice, and a fresh balance, many wineries in the area are passed down through generations. Often, you see second and third generations working the vineyards and making the wine. This reflects the region’s longevity and passion for the land and winemaking. The wineries are mainly family-owned, and each one has its own story.
Boeger Winery
Boeger Winery is recognized as a pioneering winery in El Dorado County. Established in 1972, owner Greg Boeger aimed to bring diversity in wine to the area. His grandfather, Anton Nichelini, founded the Nichelini Winery in Napa in 1890, so he was no stranger to the industry. Boeger became the first commercial winery in El Dorado. Today, Greg’s son, Justin Boeger, continues the family legacy as the winemaker, focusing on Italian and Spanish varieties.
When Greg purchased the property, it was a pear orchard with an original 1872 Historic Cellar Building, which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and known as the Lombardo/Fossati Winery. The soils consist of decomposed metamorphic rock.
The original winery from the 1800s is on the Boeger estate. Photo by Cori Solomon
The lovely landscaped grounds are a highlight of the winery. Boeger’s flagship wine is Barbera, with its sauvignon blanc being their best seller. They grow over 30 varieties, including falanghina, riesling, viognier, and Flora (a cross of gewürztraminer and semillon) in whites, and Negroamaro, Sagrantino, Barbera, and Zinfandel in reds.
DelFino Farms—Edio Vineyards
Delfino Farms is a legacy farm in its fourth generation. Edio and Joan Delfino purchased 20 acres in 1962 and established the farm two years later. While working as the El Dorado County Agricultural Commissioner, Edio, after dealing with Pear Decline, formed the Apple Hill Growers Association with colleagues. Now in its fourth generation, with Christine, Peter, Derek, and Ben at the helm, and parents Chris and Robyn, along with other cousins, helping run this family business, they operate DelFino Farms, Edio Vineyards (named after their grandfather), and Joan’s Apple Bakery (started by their grandmother in the 1960s).
The word fresh describes the Edio Vineyard wines. The flagship wines are albariño and mourvédre. Today, the property comprises 75 acres of vineyards and apple orchards. The vineyards are dry-farmed organically.
Their Native American heritage is dear to them as members of the Pechanga Tribe, whose stipend as members allowed them to purchase the property from their grandfather’s trust. Their goal is to give back to the tribe by establishing a foundation that supports Native American students in attending college.
The Delfino Farms Edio Vineyards truck sits in front of the tasting room. Photo by Cori Solomon
Starfield Vineyards
The Starfield Vineyards site is one of the most beautiful locations in El Dorado County wine country. The landscaping features an enchanting, park-like setting. With forests of Ponderosa Pines, Cedar, and Douglas Firs serving as the backdrop and buffer between the vineyard, Starfield Vineyards developed the land to include two ponds and a lake, promoting biodiversity with sustainability for both the natural environment and the vineyard. The focus is on utilizing the Sierra spice to its fullest potential to define their wines.
Tom Sinton grew up on a ranch in Paso Robles and, at a young age, fell in love with the connection between food and wine. He planted his first vineyard, Shell Creek Vineyard, on the family ranch in Paso Robles in 1972. During this time, he earned a master’s degree in enology from UC Davis. After working in the human resources industry in the Bay Area from the mid-1980s through 2003, he returned to his roots and eventually purchased a property in El Dorado in 2012. His son, Rob, also became passionate about wine during his college days at UC Davis. Tom and Rob collaborate at Starfield Vineyards.
Focusing mainly on Rhône varietals and a mixture of Italian and Spanish varietals, Starfield Vineyards’ viognier is their most popular and flagship wine.
The Wines of Starfield Vineyard. Photo by Cori Solomon
While visiting, take a moment to stroll along the various trails on the property.
Lava Cap
The name Lava Cap reflects the soil type of this winery and vineyards and the reason Berkeley Geology Professor David and his wife, Jean Jones, purchased the property in 1979. This Sierra Foothills estate spans 80 acres, with about 70 acres planted with 26 grape varieties.
View of Lava Cap Winery Sign and Vineyards. Photo by Cori Solomon
Today, David and Jean’s grandsons—Nolan, Emmett, and Kevin—play key roles in wine production. Nolan is the winemaker, Emmett and his father, Charles, are the viticulturists, and Kevin is the marketing director. Their mission is to preserve three generations of family winemaking tradition through sustainable practices that benefit the environment and improve the quality of their wines. For the Jones family, sustainability is a core philosophy influencing every aspect of the winery’s business.
While the grapes grow in volcanic soils formed by ancient ash flows, they produce wines with intensely aromatic, luscious, deep, and rich fruit that bursts with flavor. During the day, the grapes warm up from sunshine in the Sierra foothills, and at night, from cool mountain breezes. The moderate climate enhances the grapes’ fresh flavors. Lava Cap is the highest-elevation winery in Northern California, with elevations ranging from 2,400 to 2,700 feet.
View of Lava Cap Vineyards. Photo by Cori Solomon
Like many wineries in the Sierra Foothills, Lava Cap’s wines showcase the brightness and fresh flavors characteristic of the vineyard’s high elevation. On this visit, my favorites were the vermentino, with its notes of green apple, and the merlot, made from 40-year-old vines that display hints of clove and cedar. I found a very smooth and well-balanced wine. Cabernet sauvignon is the most popular wine at Lava Cap.
Element 79 Vineyards
Owners Les and Sharon Heinsen see two meanings in Element 79 Vineyards. First, Element 79 is the symbol for gold, making it a fitting name for a winery in Gold Rush Country. Second, it represents the year Les and Sharon married.
The winery is best known for its wine and food pairings, also known as the Element 79 Wine Country Tapas experience. Chef Brian Overhauser created this concept, which provides a truly unique tasting experience.
Tapas at Element 79 Vineyards. Photo by Cori Solomon
The winery also features an inviting patio where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the view while sipping your wine.
Check out Amber Wine, also known as orange wine, but perhaps better named gold wine due to its connection to Element 79 and the Sierra Foothills. You’ll find a viognier that undergoes skin contact during fermentation and is aged for 36 months.
Skinner Vineyards & Winery
Discovering their legacy is at the heart of Skinner Wines’ story. By chance, while searching for a vineyard, Michael Skinner found his family’s history, which included a wine connection that ultimately led them to El Dorado County.
Group of LA Wine Writers Standing in the Skinner Cave with Michael and Cary Skinner. Photo by Jody Franklin
Michael’s son Kevin and his wife were returning from Tahoe when they found a marker on the map that read “Skinner.” After some investigation, they learned that James Skinner established one of the first wineries in the Sierra Foothills. It turns out that James Skinner was Michael’s great-great-great-grandfather. His winery and distillery were located in Rescue.
The original Building of Skinner Native Wine and Brandy. Photo by Cori Solomon
Today, Michael and his wife, Cary, own that property, which features a well-preserved cave, one of the oldest in California. Skinner’s goal for the property is to preserve history. It is planted with varieties that James Skinner grew during the Gold Rush, including mission, zinfandel, trousseau, grenache, carignane, and the Skinner clone of petit bouschet. Additionally, Skinner owns Stoney Creek Vineyard and Wing Ranch, which are planted with Rhône varieties.
Skinner Wines. Photo by Cori Solomon
Toogood Estate Winery
Toogood Estate Winery was established in 2001 on a 40-acre parcel by Paul Toogood. In 2019, Ron and Darin Mittelstaedt purchased the property. The winery features a wine cave, a highlight of any visit. Mittelstaedt hired Marco Cappelli as their winemaker.
The Toogood Estate Winery Cave is set up for a wine tasting. Photo by Cori Solomon
The vineyard is planted with seven grape varieties: tempranillo, cabernet franc, pinot noir, petite sirah, zinfandel, and primativo. If you love ports, Toogood offers a fantastic selection. One worth trying is Double D Pinot Noir Port. The port holds special meaning for the Mittelstaedt Family because part of the proceeds is donated to Parkinson’s research in honor of Darin Mittelstaedt, their mother, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2018. The port comes in a beautifully etched bottle.
Bottle of Toogood Double D Pinot Noir on a wine barrel. Photo by Cori Solomon
Toogood Estate Winery offers three tiny houses and a pool and spa for weekend getaways.
Cantiga Wineworks
Walking into the Cantiga Tasting Room feels like stepping back in time. Although the structure is modern, it is built from an isolated concrete form resembling a medieval European church. The wine labels are designed in the style of a medieval triptych. Even the wall art takes you back to when tapestries decorated castle walls. The name Cantiga refers to a medieval Spanish song form. All these features help create a wine ambiance in an old-world style, which is rare these days.
The Cantiga Winery building is reminiscent of a Medieval Church. Photo by Cori Solomon
Owners Rich and Christine Rordens aim to produce wine using classical methods, long-term aging, minimal intervention, and no malolactic fermentation. Their tastings feature unique food and wine pairings, known as the “Full Monty Pairing Plate,” that match the acidity, sweetness, body, and intensity of the food and wine.
Owners Rich and Christine Rorden are standing behind their Cantiga Wineworks wine. Photo by Cori Solomon
Holly’s Hill
Holly’s Hill was originally a cattle ranch the family purchased in the 1970s. It was planted in 1998 with Rhône varieties after Holly and Tom Cooper decided to fulfill Holly’s dream of living on a hill. Tom also realized his dream of planting a vineyard. Their daughter soon caught the wine bug, and today, third-generation Carrie and Josh Bendick run the winery. Visiting Holly’s Hill, you will find a very down-to-earth winery with a rustic and rugged feel.
Looking out at the vineyard view from Holly’s Hill, with the older vines sitting in front. Photo by Cori Solomon
Some favorites are the grenache and the Mourvédre Classique.
Cappelli Wine
Marco Capelli’s passion shines through when you visit the Cappelli Wine tasting room in Placerville. After owning a vineyard, he chose a different path to create a sustainable, almost urban winery in a town rich in history. Marco’s Italian heritage is clear in his very affordable wines. His goal is to serve the locals by allowing customers to recycle their bottles. Marco’s mission is to offer “quality wine in reusable packaging at a price they can afford to enjoy every day.” His winemaking process results in fresh, bright, and drinkable wines.
Marco is a master at producing Angelica, fortified wines, and ports. If you’ve never tried Angelica, it’s a must-try at Cappelli’s.
Mark Cappelli holding a bottle of Angelica in his Cappelli wines tasting room in Placerville. Photo by Cori Solomon
What Can I Expect When Visiting Placerville?
The town of Placerville reflects its history during the Gold Rush. Initially called Dry Diggins, the town grew into one of California’s largest cities in the mid-1850s. It served as the gateway to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Placerville became known as Hangtown due to the numerous public hangings.
Placerville is a delightful town to explore with its charming historical buildings and art murals, especially its main street lined with shops and eateries.
Mural in downtown Placerville. Photo by Cori Solomon
Where Should I Stay in Placerville?
I recommend three different accommodations in Placerville.
- Eden Vale Inn: The Eden Vale Inn offers a secluded retreat if you’re looking for a bed and breakfast. The property includes an old hay barn converted into a home in the 1980s. In 2007, it underwent renovations, adding a guest suite that transformed it into the charming B&B it is today. The suites are rustic and inviting, yet equipped with all modern conveniences. Guest suites feature a fireplace, Wi-Fi, private decks, and patios with deep soaking tubs. Stroll through the peaceful gardens before or after a day of wine tasting.
- Cary House: For those eager to experience the Gold Rush ambiance, the Cary House’s décor transports visitors back to that period. It is a historic hotel centrally located in Placerville, featuring a player piano in the lobby. Many famous guests, including Buffalo Bill, Mark Twain, and Ulysses S. Grant, have stayed there. Be warned, there are stories of the Cary House being haunted, and you might find something moved or out of place if the spirits visit.
- The Extraordinary Camino Hotel: Discover another historic property built in 1888 and recently restored in Camino. Each room features a unique theme and style in its décor, with an eclectic mix of antiques.
Where Should I Eat While I Visit Placerville?
- Franny’s Farm Table: Savor American cuisine made from scratch with ingredients sourced from local producers, all served in a warm atmosphere decorated with period décor.
Salmon with Asparagus at The Farm Table Restaurant. Photo by Cori Solomon
- Smith Flat House: In the 1860s, Smith Flat was a stage stop in Placerville. After the mines shut down, Smith Flat continued with ranching and logging. What makes Smith Flat House unique is that it preserves the entrance to a gold mine in the downstairs dining area, known as the cellar. During the winter, this space is used for dining. As it was my second visit to Smith Flat House, I had the opportunity to enjoy the lovely outdoor courtyard dining, which is especially nice on warm nights. The cuisine features a mix of steaks and comfort foods, using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
Surf and Turf Entree at Smith Flat Restaurant. Photo by Cori Solomon
- The Independent Restaurant & Bar: This friendly, casual restaurant with a rustic flair and a fire pit on the patio offers an American fusion menu and fabulous, interesting craft drinks that you cannot go wrong trying.
- The Forester Pub & Grill: Situated in the town of Camino, this restaurant offers German cuisine in a cozy atmosphere. Think schnitzel, dumplings, and spaetzle.
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Visiting the El Dorado Wine Country
El Dorado County Wine Country is where history, mountain beauty, and exceptional wines intertwine to create unforgettable experiences. Here, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine while taking in the beauty of the Sierra Foothills and the aromas of Sierra spice. It is a wine region not to be missed. Be sure to explore more of our California wine travel guides here on Wander With Wonder—your inspiration for discovering the world, one glass at a time.
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