Northern California
El Dorado, Sierra Foothills
A curated guide to high-country wineries
33 featured wineries · 11-page PDF guide
Download the free PDF guideMountain wine in Gold Country
East of Sacramento, El Dorado County rises from Gold Rush-era Placerville into pine-covered hills. Wineries are spread around Camino and the orchards of Apple Hill, and south toward Fair Play and Somerset.
Vineyards here are among the highest in California, and the mix of granite and volcanic soils, warm days and cool mountain nights makes for vibrant wines. Zinfandel, Barbera and Rhône varieties shine, poured at friendly, family-run wineries.
At a glance
- Signature wines
- Zinfandel, Barbera and Rhône varieties such as Syrah
- Getting there
- Highway 50 east from Sacramento toward Placerville
- When to go
- Autumn combines harvest with Apple Hill's orchard season
- Plan ahead
- Wineries are spread out along rural roads, so plan a route
The 33 featured wineries
- Bubbles on MainPlacerville
- Busby Vineyard & WinerySomerset
- C G di Arie Vineyard & WineryMount Aukum
- Cantiga WineworksSomerset
- Cappelli WinePlacerville
- Cedarville Vineyard & WineryFair Play
- Chaney Family WineryFair Play
- Charles B. Mitchell VineyardsFair Play
- Chateau DavellCamino
- Cielo Sulla Terra Estate Vineyards and WineryFair Play
- Crystal Basin CellarsPlacerville
- Crystal Basin CellarsCameron Park
- E16 Wine CompanySomerset
- Element 79 VineyardsSomerset
- Golden Leaves Vineyard & WineryMount Aukum
- Gwinllan EstateSomerset
- Hidden Star OrchardsCamino
- Lava Cap WineryPlacerville
- Madrona VineyardCamino
- Madrona VineyardsPlacerville
- Mastroserio WinerySomerset
- Medeiros Family WinesSomerset
- Mirador WinerySomerset
- Mv WineryFair Play
- Narrow Gate VineyardsPlacerville
- Polynesian GirlPlacerville
- Polynesian GirlSomerset
- Saluti CellarsSomerset
- Shadow RanchSomerset
- Skinner VineyardsRescue
- Skinner VineyardsFair Play
- Toogood Estate WineryPlacerville
- URSA VineyardPlacerville
Full details for each winery are in the free PDF guide.
Data: California ABC & TTB public records
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