"There's gold in them thar hills!"
Hey that was the cry in 1849 that brought fortune seekers to California's Sierra Foothills. Well, today, there's wine in them thar hills, too.
This is undiscovered wine country where there's some pretty interesting winemaking going on. It's a big region filled with big vistas . . . and its most famous wine is big zinfandel.
Sierra zins have all that great jammy flavor with a little "gold" tossed in. Not really, but they do have a mineral undertone that makes them unique.
The Sierra Foothills is also where a lot of Rhone and Italian varieties are taking hold. Most of the wineries are in Amador and El Dorado Counties east of Sacramento.
Syrah, Viognier and Sangiovese run beside rows of Cabernet and Chardonnay.
And The Sauvignon Blanc from here reminds me of New Zealand's offerings.
Know the best part about undiscovered wine country?
You can find terrific wine at bargain prices. We have a few picked below . . . just don't let everyone in on our little secret.
Pop the cork™.
Wines from the Sierra foothills - Our Picks . . . All Prices Approximate
Ravenswood 2000 Amador County Zinfandel $16
Sierra Foothills, California
Winemaker's Notes
California's "gold country" has been home to some serious Zinfandel grapes for over a century
Bogle 2002 Old Vines Zinfandel $12
Sierra Foothills, California
Winemaker's Notes
The old head-trained Zinfandel vines first planted by European immigrants in the early 1900's are unique because the produce a smaller crop of fruit that is unusually rich and concentrated
Montevina 2001 Terra d'Oro Zinfandel $16
Sierra Foothills, California
Winemaker's Notes
This classic foothill zinfandel showcases jammy berry fruit aromas accented by red spice scents and hints of truffles and oak vanillin
Renwood Winery 2002 Sierra Series Viognier $12
Sierra Foothills, California
Winemaker's Notes
Our 2002 Sierra Series Viognier was selected from three distinctive vineyards that grow in varied soils and microclimates
1999 Montevina Barbera "Terra dOro" Amador County $15
Offers aromas of toasted black cherries and plums, with compelling scents of tar, anise and smoky oak
2001 Amador Foothills Fume Blanc California Shenandoah Valley $10
Intense floral, citrus, and spicy aromas lead to balanced flavors of citrus, melon, and tropical fruit with rich texture and a lingering finish.
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