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Visit El Dorado County Wineries For Your Next Adventure
Pack your bags, wine lovers — it's time to explore the El Dorado County wineries! This hidden gem is where California’s Gold Rush meets a long history of winemaking.
El Dorado is east of Sacramento and west of Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada foothills and the terrain is more than a backdrop; it’s a wine region full of character. The El Dorado vineyards are among the highest in California, stretching from 1,200 to 3,500 feet in elevation. This diversity means you’ll find a mix of microclimates, grape varieties and winemaking styles — a treasure trove for adventurous wine lovers.
Discover California Wines is a campaign by Wine Institute, an association of more than 1,000 California wineries and wine-related businesses. That means we’re experts on California wine, including the El Dorado County wine region. So, grab a glass as we explore El Dorado’s unique history and share five wineries to visit!
A Gold Rush History, But For Wine!
James Marshall discovered gold in the Sierra Foothills in 1848, but the area has an equally long history of winemaking. In the 1850s, immigrants from Italy, France and Switzerland brought grape growing know-how to the area.
By the late 1800s, El Dorado County was among the state’s most significant wine producers. But, after Prohibition, commercial winegrowing was practically nonexistent until El Dorado County wineries caught their second wind in the 1960s.
The family-owned Boeger Winery opened in the early 1970s as the area’s first post-Prohibition winery. This paved the way for quality wine and El Dorado officially became an AVA in 1983. Today, the El Dorado County wineries are all found in the El Dorado AVA, one of the five sub-AVAs of the Sierra Foothills AVA.
Terroir: Elevation, Sunshine & Soils
El Dorado has 2,000 acres of vines and over 50 wineries, but what makes the wines unique is the terroir.
Vineyards are planted high on the western edge of the Sierra foothills. That means cooler temperatures, massive diurnal shifts, grapes with zesty acidity and layers of complex flavors — think fresh, lively whites and bold, balanced reds.
Beneath those vines lie soils that are a winemaker’s dream. We’re talking well-draining volcanic rock, some granite and shale that result in concentrated grapes with a lot of flavor.
An extensive array of wine grapes thrive here, with 100 distinct varieties planted. Spicy, bold California-style Zinfandel is the legacy grape of the region that has also made its mark. Along with Zin, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah dominate plantings. But Rhône varieties like Grenache and Viognier shine, while Italian grapes like Barbera and Sangiovese flourish.
Sustainable Winemaking in El Dorado County
El Dorado County is serious about sustainable winegrowing. These winemakers are committed to protecting their land and ensuring its survival for future generations.
Family-owned Lava Cap Winery in Placerville is committed to sustainable vineyard and winery practices that cultivate top-quality fruit while ensuring a healthy ecosystem.
The winery employs sustainability practices in the vineyard, such as composting, drip irrigation and owl boxes, to help with pest management. The wines reflect a love for the land that will be maintained for generations to come.
Then there’s Boeger Winery, one of the first commercial wineries in El Dorado and a leader in sustainable winemaking. Greg Boeger and his team are all about preserving natural habitats and ensuring the vines blend seamlessly with the landscape. The wines are fresh, full of character and made using sustainable practices that protect the land, employees and neighbors.
Wineries In El Dorado County To Visit
There are a lot of wineries to explore, but here’s an excellent place to start:
Cantiga Wineworks
This small, family winery is known for their minimal intervention approach to winemaking. Enjoy a food and wine pairing flight while wandering through the gardens.
Di Arie Vineyard & Winery
Winemaker Chaim Gur-Arieh has been crafting bold, complex wines in the El Dorado AVA since the early 2000s. The wines range from Rhône varieties to Mediterranean-inspired gems. Di Arie grows various grapes from Zinfandel and Syrah to Barbera and Tempranillo. Limited production means every bottle feels like a find.
E16 Winery
Like many of the El Dorado County wineries, E16 is family-owned. Founder Robert Jones was inspired by his grandfather, who planted wine grapes in Lodi in the 1940s. It produces small-batch, high-quality wines, including several 90-point and above wines from its Baby Rattlesnake Vineyard.
Starfield Vineyards
One of the newer kids on the block, Starfield sits on a hillside estate featuring a scenic lake and walking trails and features small-lot wines. The winery produces diverse Rhône and Italian varietals, sparkling wines, Cabernets, Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
Get a taste of El Dorado at home with our Nutty Apple Bread with Honey Walnuts. This recipe celebrates the apples from El Dorado County, which are known to be exceptionally sweet. Did we mention it’s delicious with a glass of California dessert or late-harvest wine?
Nutty Apple Bread with Honey Walnuts
This nutty apple bread is buttery and cake-like with plenty of apples and crunchy walnuts dotted throughout each slice. There’s so much flavor from the juicy apples and crunchy walnuts that you really don’t need a glaze or honey-candied walnuts. Still, if you want to try either, take the extra few minutes to drizzle and sprinkle to your heart’s content. This apple walnut bread pairs perfectly with a dessert wine or late harvest wine for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
For the Bread:
- 1 1/2 cups (148 g) (3.5oz) walnuts
- 1 cup (150 g) all purpose flour
- ¾ cup (164 g) brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅔ cup (175 ml) almond milk
- ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ⅓ cup (75 ml) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups (199 g) grated apples
- ½ cup (103 g) chopped apples
- 1 cup (116 g) chopped walnuts
For the Glaze & Honey Walnuts:
- 1/2 cup (59 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon almond milk
- ½ cup (58 g) walnuts
- 1 tablespoon (29 g) honey
Directions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper.
- Place the 1 ½ cups walnuts in a food processor or high-speed blender and pulse until they are finely ground into a flour, but not so much they become a paste. Measure out 1 cup of the walnut flour.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the walnut flour, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together almond milk, vinegar, olive oil, vanilla and eggs. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry and add the grated and chopped apples and the chopped walnuts. Stir until well combined and no dry spots remain. Batter will be thick.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes then invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
- To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar and the almond milk until smooth.
- To make the honey walnuts, combine walnuts and honey in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Caramelize, stirring frequently, until walnuts are completely coated in the honey, are fragrant and turning a toasty golden brown. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet and let cool.
- Once the cake is cooled, drizzle the top with the glaze and top with the honey walnuts.
- Slice and serve. Bread is great with a slather of butter and sliced apples.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes El Dorado County a unique wine region in California? El Dorado County offers a distinct winemaking environment characterized by its:
- High Elevation: Many vineyards are located at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,500 feet, which impacts the microclimate with cooler nights and warmer days. This helps preserve the grapes’ acidity and enhance flavor complexity.
- Diverse Terroir: The region’s complex geology includes granite, volcanic and sedimentary soils, which contribute to the unique terroir that influences the wines’ diverse flavor profiles.
- Varietal Diversity: El Dorado County is known for its wide range of grape varieties, including Zinfandel, Syrah, Viognier and Barbera, as well as less familiar varieties like Mourvèdre and Grenache Blanc, reflecting the area’s pioneering spirit in viticulture.
What are some must-visit wineries in El Dorado County?
El Dorado County is home to several renowned wineries that are worth visiting for their quality wines and beautiful settings:
- Boeger Winery: One of the oldest commercial wineries in the region, known for its exceptional Barbera and pioneering work with unusual varieties.
- Lava Cap Winery: Celebrated for its fruit-forward wines and volcanic soil, adding a unique minerality to its wines.
What types of wine tours and tastings are available in El Dorado County?
El Dorado County wineries offer a variety of wine tours and tasting experiences that cater to both casual visitors and connoisseurs:
- Standard Tastings: Most wineries offer standard tastings, which include a selection of current-release wines. These tastings often occur in the tasting room or on an outdoor patio with scenic vineyard views.
- Vineyard and Cellar Tours: For those interested in the winemaking process, many wineries offer guided tours that include walks through the vineyards, visits to the production areas and barrel tastings.
- Food and Wine Pairings: Some wineries offer enhanced tasting experiences that pair their wines with local cuisine or artisan snacks, showcasing how food can complement and elevate the taste of wine.
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