Passport 2025
April 26-27, 2025 11am - 5pm
Purchase tickets and discover offerings and special events from our partner wineries during Passport Weekend. Selecting your starting winery helps ensure all participants a smooth check-in experience by distributing guests and traffic activity evenly among the participating wineries.
Why El Dorado wines are unique
The Mountain-Grown Difference
El Dorado’s mountain vineyards are on steep hillsides with warm summer days and cool nights. It’s an environment that gives wines luscious fruit, an alluring balance, refreshing vibrancy, and well-structured balance. As one of California’s oldest wine regions, El Dorado is incredibly diverse. You can see that in our three appellations – El Dorado, Fair Play, and Sierra Foothills.
Easy to get here
In the heart of the Sierra Foothills
El Dorado County is less than an hour from Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe. Blending the magic of wine country with the drama of the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountain range, our region boasts remarkable landscapes that range from dramatic river canyons to steep hillsides.
It’s been a minute since we introduced ourselves, and we’ve seen a few new faces around here. Hi! 👋🏻 We’re El Dorado Wine Association, a group of small, independent, and (occasionally) fun-loving wineries in El Dorado County, California.
A few of our likes include under-the-radar varietals (Alicante Bouschet, anyone?), summer afternoons before the harvest, and wines that don’t take themselves too seriously (people, too).
Some facts about us:
🍷 We’re made up of over 40 family-owned wineries in El Dorado County
🍷 Collectively, we grow 73 different varietals (44 reds + 29 whites). This variety is not a lack of focus but reflects our complex terrain!
🍷 We feature wines from three AVAs: El Dorado, Fair Play, and Sierra Foothills
🍷 Our signature wine festival event, Passport, has been around for 34 years!
This year’s event is April 26-27, and you can learn more/get tickets at the link in the bio.
#eldoradowines #passport #winefestival #californiasnow #winecountry #winter #visiteldoradocounty #eldoradocounty #winetasting #spring #passport #winepassport #visitgoldcountry
Passport is more than a weekend. It’s a tradition, one that we’ve celebrated for 34 years. Join us on April 26-27 as El Dorado wineries roll out their red carpets to welcome you with creative pairings, special tastings, and wine club member-for-a-day privileges!
Get your tickets at ElDoradoWines.org/Passport
#ElDoradoWines #PassportWeekend #WineFestival
Fun fact: Over 75% of the wine produced in El Dorado County is both grown and produced locally.
#ElDoradoWines #ElDoradoCounty #MountainGrown #Local
📷 @davidgirardwinery
Spring at our wineries is truly stunning. 🙌 🌸 🌼
#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #MountainWine #SpringIsHere
Cheers to the first day of spring! 🌸 🌼 ☀️ It’s a timely reminder to reserve your spot at Passport on April 26-27. After all, it’s only a little over a month away (not that we’re counting!).
Get your tickets at ElDoradoWines.org/Passport
#ElDoradoWines #PassportWeekend #FirstDayofSpring #WineFestival
Whether you call it a haircut or a spring clean, it’s the time of year when our vineyards get a trim. Pruning is an essential step in the winemaking process.
📷 @skinnervineyards
#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #MountainWine
Wine tasting in El Dorado is nothing short of spectacular. Think lush hills with tidy vineyards and fragrant pine forests, all with stunning mountains (often snow-covered) in the background.
Many wineries have hiking and nature trails that give you a taste of El Dorado’s mountain-grown flavor. Whether you hit the trails before or after wine tasting is up to you!
Find inspiration at the link in our bio.
📷 @starfieldvineyards
#ElDoradoWines #HikingTrails #MountainGrown #MountainWines #NatureWalks
Have you heard? Tickets to Passport are selling fast! 🎟 🍷 Join us on April 26-27 for a delightful and memorable weekend celebrating the best of El Dorado County’s wineries!
Get your tickets at ElDoradoWines.org/Passport
#ElDoradoWines #PassportWeekend #ElDoradoCounty #WineFestival
Fun fact: El Dorado County is considered the "cradle of the California Zinfandel." True story: Miners planted wine grapes here in the 1850s during the Gold Rush! 🍇
They brought vine cuttings, and many turned to grape growing after the gold fever subsided.
A small block of original vines remains at Skinner Vineyards (pictured) and Boeger Winery, the first post-Prohibition winery in the El Dorado AVA.
#ElDoradoWines #FunFacts #TheMoreYouKnow #ElDoradoCounty #CaliforniaWines #MountainWine
Fun fact about El Dorado Passport – ONE ticket gives you access to 24 incredible winery experiences.
It’s an incredible value if we say so ourselves. Will we see you on April 26-27?
Get your ticket at ElDoradoWines.org/Passport
#ElDoradoWines #PassportWeekend #WineFestival #ElDoradoCounty
Why mountain-grown wine? 🏔 🍷 Our mountain vineyards produce grapes grown on hillsides with warm summer days and cool nights. It`s an environment that gives wines luscious fruit, an alluring balance, gentle tannins, and body and depth.
Put simply, mountain-grown means memorable wines!
#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #ElDoradoAVA #WineCountry #MountainWine
A new month means loads of new events at our wineries! 🎉 From bottling your own blend to grilled oysters and happy hour to picnics, there`s a wine experience for you in March. Here`s a small sampling:
🦪 Oysterfest at @crystal_basin_cellars
🧺 Weekend Picnic Boxes and Boards at @narrowgatevineyards
🍻 Happy Hour at @chateaudestienne
🍾 Bottle Your Own Wine at @toogoodestatewinery
🌼 Spring Fling at @lavacapwinery
See all the events at ElDoradoWines.org/Events
#ElDoradoWines #WineryEvents #WineExperiences #ElDoradoCounty #MountainWine
Our Wineries
Independent and innovative
El Dorado Winery Association member wineries are a select group of small, independent, and family-owned wineries invested in the agriculture of the El Dorado and Fair Play American Viticultural Areas (AVA). Over 75% of the wine produced here is both grown and produced locally. You’ll find over 30 family-owned wineries in El Dorado County, with more than 100 varietals!
Our wineries are ready to welcome you and show you the mountain-grown difference.
