Limitless possibilities
Unique surroundings, perfect for winemaking
Our dynamic terroir ranges from 1,000 to 3,500 feet with hundreds of microclimates providing endless opportunities for our creative winemakers to experiment with nearly 100 distinct wine varieties.
Warm days and cool nights
Mountain born, intense flavors and distinct character
Our 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, gentle tannins, and body and depth.
The story that built us
It all began in 1848
California's Gold Rush and the planting of the first vines.
California’s Gold Rush began in El Dorado County in 1848 with James Marshall’s discovery of gold at Sutter’s Mill, on the South Fork of the American River in Coloma. As legions of people flocked to California to claim their fortunes, the region’s winemaking industry was born.
By 1870
The early pioneers of California winemaking
El Dorado County was among the largest wine producers in the state, trailing only Los Angeles and Sonoma counties. The local wine industry flourished until just after the turn of the century when there were approximately 2,000 acres of vines in the county. Shortly thereafter, El Dorado began a gradual decline, brought about by poor economic conditions and a diminishing local population. Prohibition was but the last straw.
1920 - 1960
Rebirth
Viticulture virtually disappeared from the county. It wasn’t until the late 1960s that winegrowing made a resurgence. Following the development of several experimental vineyards, it became apparent that both the climate and soil of El Dorado County were ideally suited to the production of high quality, dry table wines. With the opening of Boeger Winery in 1973, El Dorado was once again on its way to becoming an important winegrowing region.
Present
A can't-miss California wine region with boutique independent wineries
Today, the county has more than 2,000 acres of vines, is home to approximately 50 wineries, and produces some of California’s most sophisticated wines. El Dorado was designated an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1983.
There’s more to Camino and Apple Hill™ than pies and apples. 🍎 🥧 Think award-winning wineries with fun wines (including some that pair well with donuts), welcoming hospitality, and plenty of surprises. 🍷 🍩
#ElDoradoWines #Camino #AppleHill #MountainGrown
Your dog has strong opinions about which wineries deserve a visit. Good news — most of ours are leashed-and-well-behaved-dog-friendly, so bring the whole crew. 🐾🍷
#ElDoradoWines #ElDoradoAVA #DogFriendly #PetFriendly
Four solid reasons to make time for a winery visit this month (preferably one of ours). 🍷
Read them at ElDoradoWines.org/Blog or the link in our bio.
#ElDoradoWines #WineHarvest #CaliforniaWineMonth #ElDoradoCounty
It`s International Grenache Day — one of our favorite grapes, for good reason. 🍷
🍇 Originally from Spain (Garnacha), it found fame in France`s Rhône Valley — and several of our Rhône-style wineries run with it here.
🍇 It`s the "G" in GSM (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre), one of the world`s most sought-after blends.
🍇 It`s one of the most widely planted red grapes on earth, thriving in hot, dry climates like ours.
🍇 It shows up as everything from light, fruity rosé to rich, full-bodied red.
Find El Dorado Grenache at ElDoradoWines.org/Wineries or the link in bio.
#InternationalGrenacheDay #GrenacheDay #Garnacha #WineLover #WineFacts #ElDoradoWines #ElDoradoAVA #GrenacheDay #CaliforniaWineMonth
Harvest is a lot of hard work — but with views like this, nobody’s complaining. 🍇
#ElDoradoWines #WineHarvest #CaliforniaWineMonth
It`s California Wine Month — our favorite excuse to celebrate the winemakers, winegrowers, and grapes that keep this state the #1 wine producer in the country (and #4 in the world). 🍷🍇
El Dorado is one of 49 California counties growing wine grapes. And it`s one of the few doing it above 2,500 feet!
Tastings, tours, and plenty of reasons to visit — all month long.
#ElDoradoWines #WineHarvest #CaliforniaWineMonth
Wine harvest season is intense, exciting, and a little bit magic. 🍇 What sets El Dorado apart isn’t just timing — it’s elevation.
Cooler temperatures at higher altitude mean our grapes ripen more slowly, even during an active harvest, which builds complexity in the fruit and gives our wines their distinct character.
Learn more about the wine harvest in El Dorado on our blog: https://eldoradowines.org/wine-harvest-time-the-magic-behind-your-favorite-el-dorado-wine
Pictured: @chateau_davell, @skinnervineyards
#ElDoradoWines #WineHarvest #CaliforniaWineMonth
However you spend it — patio, porch, or somewhere in between — happy Labor Day weekend from all of us in El Dorado wine country. 🇺🇸🍷
P.S. Our wineries are open this weekend, including Monday!
#ElDoradoWines #LaborDay #LaborDayWeekend
This month, the wineries are doing a little bit of everything — paella, Shakespeare, a 23rd anniversary bash, and live music around practically every corner. 🗓️🍷
🥘 Patriarche & Paella at Holly’s Hill
🎭 Shakespeare in the Vines at Sierra Vista Winery
🎉 23rd Anniversary Celebration at Wofford Acres Vineyard
🍷 Winemaking Apprenticeship at Docmanov Winery
🎶 Live music at several wineries, including Boeger Winery, Delfino Farms, Skinner Vineyards, Shadow Ranch, and many more
Full calendar: ElDoradoWines.org/Events
#ElDoradoWines #WineryEvents #LiveMusic #ElDoradoCounty #September
World`s most popular grape? Cabernet Sauvignon. Grown right here too. 🍇
It`s #CabernetSauvignonDay (also National Red Wine Day 🍷 — no complaints here).
Three things you might not know:
🍇 It`s younger than you`d think — first documented in the 1600s
🍇 It`s a natural cross of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc
🍇 It thrives everywhere from Bordeaux to right here in El Dorado County
#ElDoradoWines #CabernetSauvignonDay #ElDoradoCounty #CaliforniaWines
Your feed called. It wants better wine country photos. 📷
From golden-hour vineyard rows to rustic tasting rooms, we mapped out the most photogenic spots in El Dorado wine country.
Link in bio.
#ElDoradoWines #Photos #Views
Some views come with a wine list. 🍇
Four El Dorado wineries where the scenery is just as memorable as what`s in your glass:
🍇 Lava Cap Winery
🍷 Holly`s Hill
🍇 Sierra Vista Winery
🍷 Wofford Acres Vineyards
Full guide — link in bio.
#ElDoradoWines #ElDoradoAVA #WineCountry #ElDoradoCounty
