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.
Planning a trip to wine country? Start here. 📍
Our visitor guide has everything you need — wineries, stays, eats, and the best time to go.
ElDoradoWines.org/Visitor_Guide
#ElDoradoWines #VisitorGuide #ElDoradoCounty
August, but make it an excuse to visit. 🍷
🧺 Vineyard market at @hart2hartvineyards
🍹 Rosé slushies at @shadowranchvineyard
🍷 Private Port tastings at @toogoodestatewinery
🔥 Grillin` in the Grove at @mellowoodvineyard
Full calendar: ElDoradoWines.org/Events
#ElDoradoWines #WineryEvents #ElDoradoCounty
White wine, but make it mountain-grown. 🥂
It`s National White Wine Day, and our elevation does something different to white grapes — think brighter acidity, more concentrated flavor, a little extra tension in the glass.
We know we get talked about for our reds. Today`s a good excuse to reach for something pale instead.
#ElDoradoWines #WhiteWineDay #MountainGrown
Veraison is happening in our vineyards right now (pictured here is the Cinsault block at @skinnervineyard `s Green Valley Ranch) — and if that word isn`t in your wine vocabulary yet, here`s your chance to understand why it`s kind of a big deal.
We break down what`s happening on the vine on our blog.
#ElDoradoWines #Veraison #Winemaking #Grapes
2,400 feet. Summer sunset. No filter needed. 🌅
📷 @starfieldvineyards
#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #Sunset #Vineyards #ElDoradoAVA
July in El Dorado: what’s in the glass right now. 🍷☀️
Mountain-grown whites and rosés that hold up in summer heat:
🥂 Viognier – floral, stone fruit, nothing flabby about it at elevation. Try: Boeger Winery, Holly’s Hill, Sierra Vista Winery, Bumgarner Winery, Lava Cap Winery
🍷 Vermentino – crisp, citrusy, built for a hot day. Try: Lava Cap, Madroña Vineyards
🍷 Grenache Rosé – dry, structured, not the pale pink stuff. Try: Sierra Vista, Narrow Gate Vineyards, Edio Vineyards, Holly’s Hill
🥂 Rhône white blends (Roussanne/Marsanne/Viognier) – textured, complex, great with food. Try: Starfield Vineyards, Edio Vineyards,Narrow Gate Vineyards, Skinner Vineyards
🍷 Chenin Blanc – bright acidity, versatile. Try: Bumgarner Winery, Madroña Vineyards, Edio Vineyards
🥂 PicPoul Blanc – crisp, lip zinger. Try: Skinner Vineyards and Sierra Vista Winery (their 2023 vintage received 92 points from Wine Enthusiast)
ElDoradoWines.org/Wineries
#ElDoradoWines #SummerWine #MountainGrown #WhiteWine #Rosé ElDoradoAVA
Same grape. Different world. 🍇
It’s #ShirazDay — and El Dorado’s Shiraz (aka Syrah) is Rhône-influenced, mountain-grown, and genuinely its own thing. Three to know:
🍇 @hollyshill — their Fenaughty Syrah has a reputation for very good reason
🍇 @narrowgatevineyards — biodynamic farming, serious Syrah
🍇 @skinnervineyards — Double Gold at the 2024 SF Chronicle Wine Competition 🏅🏅
And many more. ElDoradoWines.org/Wineries
#ElDoradoWines #NationalShirazDay #Syrah #RhôneStyle #MountainGrown #ElDoradoAVA
Hot outside? We’ve got caves. And ponds. And shady decks. And cool tasting rooms. 🍷
🍷 Wine cave at @toogoodestatewinery
🍷 Shady lawn and patio at @chateau_davell
🍷 Shady deck at @windwalkervineyard
🍷 Deck chairs by the pond at @boegerwinery
🍷 Cool cellar at @narrowgatevineyards
🍷 Shady lawn and picnic tables at @skinnervineyards
Like, share, and save this post, and head to ElDoradoWines.org/wineries to find your perfect summer spot.
#ElDoradoWines #BeatTheHeat #WineCave #SummerWine #ElDoradoAVA
Summer wine tasting at 3,000 feet hits different. ☀️
Cooler afternoons. Family-owned wineries. Tastings that don’t cost an arm and a leg. And don’t be surprised when the winemaker pours your glass.
That`s just how it works up here.
🍷 Follow along for more from @eldoradowines
📷 @lavacapwinery
#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #HighElevation #SummerWine #ElDoradoAVA
Your glass of wine is mid-sentence right now. 🍇
July in El Dorado’s vineyards is when the real work happens — grapes pushing toward peak ripeness at 1,000–3,000 feet, where cool nights buy the kind of time that makes complex wine possible.
What’s really going on in there (link in bio)
#ElDoradoWines #VineyardLife #MountainGrown #WineGrapes #eldoradoava
It’s World Chocolate Day. Of course wine is involved. 🍷🍫
Our friends at @annabelleschocolate offer chocolate and wine flights featuring El Dorado wines — red, white, and dessert. Give them a follow for their monthly featured pairing.
(And note that they`re on their yearly summer vacation through July 12)
#ElDoradoWines #ChocolateDay #WorldChocolateDay #WineAndChocolate #ElDoradoCounty
California wine started in Gold Rush country. So did a lot of things. 🇺🇸
This July 4th - America’s 250th - raise a glass to the foothill farmers who’ve been growing something worth celebrating since before California was a state.
Happy Independence Day from El Dorado Wine Country.
📷 @delfinofarms
#ElDoradoWines #July4th #America250 #GoldRush #CaliforniaWine #MountainGrown
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.
