It’s no secret that over 90% of American wine is produced in the Golden State.Walk through any retailer in the country where wine is sold, and you’ll find that California wines crowd the shelves, alongside imported wines and perhaps a few local wines. To put in perspective how much of production is from California, the next few wine producing states combined (New York, Washington, Oregon, Virginia and Texas) produce just around 5% of U.S. wine.
So where are all the California grapes grown? The vast majority are from California’s Central Valley and are the grapes used in mass-produced, inexpensive, boxed and jug wines. Then of course, there’s the opposite side of the spectrum – Napa, Sonoma, and Santa Barbara to name a few extremely famous AVA’s (American Viticultural Areas*), producing some of the most famous, exclusive, and expensive wines in the world.
On some of my recent trips to California, I’ve discovered one of the best-kept secrets in California wine; although word is quickly getting out. During the California Gold Rush starting in 1848, people flocked to the Foothills of the Sierra Nevada in hopes of striking it rich. Today, people are again heading for the hills, but this time, it’s for the wine. Should you find yourself anywhere near Sacramento, it is well worth your time to hop in a car, head east on U.S. 50 toward Lake Tahoe and stop for wine along the way.
The three main AVA’s in the foothills are Fair Play, California Shenandoah Valley and El Dorado. These areas boast a couple hundred boutique wineries, beautiful views, and, unlike their Napa competitors, no crowds, and rarely a tasting fee. You can drive through most of these regions, walk into a tasting room, and usually be the only person there (On a weekday – call ahead before visiting; many are closed Monday-Thursday!) I’ve spent the most time in Fair Play, so I’ll discuss that region this time. Just means I’ll have to take a future “research” trip to get to the rest of the AVA’s the Foothills boast.
Fair Play describes itself as having “wines with altitude.” Nestled in the Foothills about 45 minutes east of Sacramento, you’ll find yourself surrounded by small rivers, breathtaking views of the mountains and pine trees. My favorite part about this area is that it’s still relatively untouched and peaceful, yet beginning to make a name for itself. Over the last couple of years at the California State Fair’s wine competition, Fair Play wines have been rivaling (and even beating) their more famous Napa and Sonoma counterparts. This region has hot days and cool nights throughout the growing season, producing big, bold reds with lots of jammy, vibrant fruit. SHOPPING NOTE – If you can find any Zinfandel from Fair Play or El Dorado in a local wine store, buy it! Guaranteed to wow.
My favorite wineries in Fair Play are: Toogood Winery & Estates, Miraflores, and Shadow Ranch – all are family-owned/operated enterprises boasting some amazing wines at exceptional values. Shadow Ranch is the type of place to take the whole family for a picnic and wine tasting – they even have a tire swing in front of the tasting room for kids to play on! My perennial favorites there are the Petit Sirah and the Tempranillo. After Shadow Ranch, head next door to Toogood Winery, where the tasting room is inside their wine caves! This is a welcome oasis to walk into on a 100+ degree day, which is not unusual during summer in Fair Play. The line-up of wines is extensive – make sure to try “Who’s Your Daddy?” and the newest version of “Foreplay,” their flagship wine. If you’re there on a day they’re not too busy, you may be invited to do some barrel tasting – included in their regular wine tasting lineup! Finally, when heading back toward U.S. 50 and out of Fair Play, make sure to stop by Miraflores. The tasting room looks like it was a transported Tuscan village, and the wine is spectacular. Don’t miss their library Syrah tasting – you’ll get to try several different vintages of Syrah all in a row!
So, when planning your next wine trip to the West Coast, think about getting a plane ticket to Sacramento this time, instead of San Francisco.
For more information on the wineries of Fair Play, visit: http://fairplaywine.com/?page_id=9
Eryn Cadoff is an Independent Wine Educator for Vino Virtuoso, and does in-home wine tastings throughout DC and Northern Virginia. In her effort to always research new wines, she takes lots of trips to wineries throughout California. To contact Eryn, text her at 703-786-1694 or http://www.facebook.com/WineWithEryn
*When a U.S. winery wants to tell you the geographic pedigree of its wine, it uses a tag on its label called an Appellation of Origin. Appellations are defined either by political boundaries, such as the name of a county or state, or by federally-recognized growing regions called American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).
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