The landscape
Vineyards occupy hills and mountain slopes. The region also contains historic Gold Rush towns.
CALIFORNIA · REGION GUIDE
Sierra Foothills.
The Sierra Foothills contain wine areas east of the Central Valley. This guide covers the broad AVA and El Dorado.
2 researched wineries
FIELD NOTES · IN & AROUND Sierra Foothills
Wine areas in the western Sierra foothills.
Get to know the place behind the appellation.
Wine and grapes
Amador County growers produce Zinfandel, Barbera, Sangiovese, Syrah and Viognier. El Dorado also has a long association with Zinfandel.
Places to visit
Amador County and El Dorado County provide routes through wine areas and historic communities.
RESEARCH SOURCES
TTB records support AVA status. Winegrower and tourism sources provide regional context. Visitor services can change.
The destinations are real. The credited destination photographs show real places. Wine listings and producer profiles link to winery sources. Photograph credits identify the source and place. Photo research and rights.
Sources checked · Research and defined terms · Markdown
Explore the appellations.
AVA
Sierra Foothills
Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Tuolumne & Yuba · California
Sierra Foothills is an AVA across parts of eight counties. It includes several smaller wine areas.
Sierra Foothills context, photographed in Amador County. Shift6 · Public domain · Photo source
AVA
El Dorado
El Dorado · California
El Dorado is an AVA in El Dorado County. It partly overlaps the larger Sierra Foothills AVA.
Sierra Foothills context, photographed in Amador County. Shift6 · Public domain · Photo source
REAL WINERIES · INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Meet the producers of Sierra Foothills.
2 selected producers connected to this area. Each profile explains the vineyard or winery location and links to official sources.
Real winery
Plymouth · Amador County
Sobon Estate
An Amador County winery with old-vine Zinfandel, a historical museum, and picnic space.
Zinfandel · Barbera · Cabernet Sauvignon
Explore the wineryPhoto: Sobon Estate official site · Copyrighted
Real winery
Apple Hill · Placerville
Lava Cap Winery
An El Dorado estate winery near Placerville, with mountain vineyards and volcanic soils.
Zinfandel · Cabernet Sauvignon · Barbera · Chardonnay
Explore the wineryPhoto: Lava Cap Winery official site · Copyrighted
Explore sourced wine listings and official winery links. Explore all California wineries.
THE PEOPLE & THE POUR
Explore wines from this area.
Wine catalog: 0 producers · 0 wines
No wines from this area are in the catalog. The destination guide remains available.