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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.

wine tasting in el dorado county
placerville wine tasting
placerville wine tasting
El Dorado County Wine Country map

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.

vineyards
what's happening eldoradowines
🌎 Our wineries recognize the importance of caring for the planet, which is why many embrace sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. ⁠
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🌱 There are several types of vineyard management and certification options out there, and distinguishing them can be challenging. Here are the top three you’ll find at our wineries:⁠
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🐟 Fish-Friendly Farming®⁠
🌿 Biodynamic®⁠
🌳 Sustainable practices⁠
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Learn more on our blog at the link in bio.⁠
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📷 @narrowgatevineyards ⁠
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#ElDoradoWines #ElDoradoCounty #MountainGrown #Sustainability #FishFriendlyFarming #BiodynamicFarming
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It’s here, that most magical spring phenomenon – bud break! 🌱⁠ 

📷⁠ @hollyshill (April 9, 2025)

#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #SignsofSpring
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Ever wondered why we call our annual wine event "Passport?"🍷 It's your ticket to explore the stunning El Dorado wine region! 🎟️⁠
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Like a real passport, it grants you access to unique tastings, delicious food pairings, and unforgettable experiences at our incredible wineries—minus the jet lag and cramped airplane seats!⁠
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Join us at El Dorado Wines Passport on April 26-27 and experience everything our wineries have to offer.⁠
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🎟️ ElDoradoWines.org/Passport⁠
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#ElDoradoWines #Passport #WineCountry #WineAdventure⁠
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🧭 Ready to explore El Dorado wine country? Our invaluable winery guide can help get you started. Learn about all our family-run wineries, what varietals we grow, where to stay, driving directions, transportation, and more (including a map). ⁠
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Get a copy at the link in our bio.⁠
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📷 @lavacapwinery ⁠
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#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #VisitorGuide
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What do bubbles and apple cider donuts have in common? 🥂 🍩 🤔 They’re both at this year’s Passport!⁠
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You've heard that Passport is coming up on April 26-27. You may be wondering why you don't want to miss this year's event (and if you've already bought tickets, yay! Here are further reasons to confirm you've made a wise decision).⁠
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It’s not every day you can enjoy:⁠
🥂  Pairing bubbles with curated small bites at @findletonestate⁠
🍩  Cider donuts, hand-dipped corndogs, and hard ciders at @bumgarnerwinery⁠
🍽️ A sit-down tasting experience featuring limited-production wines and tapas at @madronavineyards⁠
🍷  An opportunity to be a wine club member for a day at 20+ wineries!⁠
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Ticket sales end on April 24. Yes, that’s a little over three weeks away, but why wait until the last minute? ⁠
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Get tickets today at ElDoradoWines.org/Passport or the link in bio⁠
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#ElDoradoWines #PassportWeekend #WineCountry #ElDoradoCounty⁠
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No April Fool's joke. Did you know that April is Down to Earth month? 🌱 It’s a way to explore El Dorado wines grown and made with sustainable practices.⁠
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Our upcoming Passport Weekend, April 26-27, will feature many wineries committed to sustainable growing and winemaking practices. ⁠
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Get your tickets at the link in bio.⁠
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📷 @cedarville_vineyard⁠
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#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #MountainWine #Sustainable⁠
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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. ⁠
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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). ⁠
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Some facts about us:⁠
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🍷 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! ⁠
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This year’s event is April 26-27, and you can learn more/get tickets at the link in the bio. ⁠
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#eldoradowines #passport #winefestival #californiasnow #winecountry #winter #visiteldoradocounty #eldoradocounty #winetasting #spring #passport #winepassport #visitgoldcountry
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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!⁠
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Get your tickets at ElDoradoWines.org/Passport⁠
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#ElDoradoWines #PassportWeekend #WineFestival
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Fun fact: Over 75% of the wine produced in El Dorado County is both grown and produced locally.⁠
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#ElDoradoWines #ElDoradoCounty #MountainGrown #Local⁠
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📷 @davidgirardwinery
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Spring at our wineries is truly stunning. 🙌 🌸 🌼⁠
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#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #MountainWine #SpringIsHere⁠
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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!).⁠
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Get your tickets at ElDoradoWines.org/Passport⁠
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#ElDoradoWines #PassportWeekend #FirstDayofSpring⁠ #WineFestival⁠
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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.

estienne vineyard
busby cellars
boeger vineyard