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.
Mountain-grown wines, charming family-owned wineries, and incredible views are just a few reasons why El Dorado Wine Country should be on your radar.
Taste at a higher level with us.
#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #WineTasting
Our wineries aren`t just about delicious wines. 🥂 They also boast stunning backdrops perfect for capturing unforgettable memories! 📷 🙌🏽
From rolling vineyards bathed in golden light to charming and rustic tasting rooms, find our guide to finding the most Instagram-worthy spots at the link in our bio.
📷 @delfinofarms
#ElDoradoWines #Photos #Views #ElDoradoCounty
“Award-winning” gets thrown around a lot in the wine world. But for El Dorado wines, it’s genuinely true.
Here, you won’t see one or two wineries talking up their latest 90+ point @wineenthusiast or @decanter review or sharing photos of their bling from the latest @sfchronwinecomp
On the contrary, El Dorado’s small, family-run wineries may not have the acreage or volume of the big guns, but they match (and in many cases, surpass) the Goliaths of the world with their quality.
Don’t take our word for it. See a partial list of recent awards on our blog at the link in bio.
#ElDoradoWines #ElDoradoAVA #SFChronWineCompetition #WineEnthusiast #Decanter #WineReviews
It’s veraison time at our wineries! Wondering what it is, exactly? 🤔 🍇
It’s *not*
☎️ A phone company – or Internet provider
🍷 A wine varietal, though it is essential to wine making!
We’ve got the full scoop on our blog at the link in bio.
📷 @starfieldvineyards
#ElDoradoWines #Veraison #Winemaking #Grapes
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
Summer sunsets in the vineyards never get old. 🌅 🙌🏽
📷 @madronavineyards
#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #Sunset #Vineyards
Cheers to #ShirazDay! While our wineries focus on Syrah, it`s the same grape, just different styles and climates. El Dorado Syrah is Rhone-influenced, as evidenced at several wineries, including:
🍇 @hollyshill (they’re famous for their Fenaughty Syrah for good reason!)
🍇 @mellowoodvineyards Syrah (Double Gold Winner at the 2022 Foothill Wine Fest!)
🍇 @narrowgatevineyards
🍇 @sentivovineyards
And many more! Discover all our versions of this versatile grape – you won`t be disappointed!
#ElDoradoWines #Syrah #RhoneStyle
Need a different way to beat the heat? ☀️ 🥵 How about wine tasting in a wine cave or cellar? We’ve got those at our wineries - air-conditioned tasting rooms, too!
Here are a few to try on your next visit:
🍷 The wine cave at @toogoodestatewinery
🍷 A shady lawn and patio at @chateau_davell
🍷 @windwalkervineyard’s shady deck
🍷 Deck chairs by the pond at @boegerwinery’s lovely outdoor area
🍷 The cool Cellar at @narrowgatevineyards
Pro tip: You can filter amenities by wineries on our website to see who has outdoor areas, picnic spots, and more! Get started at eldoradowines.org/wineries or the link in our profile.
#ElDoradoWines #BeattheHeat #StayCool #Wineries #Summer
Summer is for live music at our wineries. 🎶 Discover all the ways to enjoy performances on our blog.
📷 @delfinofarms Folk on the Farm
#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #LiveMusic #SummerMusic
Summer in El Dorado Wine Country is more than just warm days and stunning Sierra Foothill views; it`s a season of quiet transformation and intense activity in our vineyards. 🌱
While you might be enjoying a crisp glass of local wine on a sun-drenched patio beneath the green canopy, a fascinating journey is unfolding as our grapes make their way toward peak ripeness.
Learn about the secret life of our wine grapes on our blog (link in bio).
Pictured: Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes at @windwalkervineyard
#ElDoradoCounty #ElDoradoWines #Vineyard #WineGrapes #WineHarvest #WineCountry
What do 🧶 🎸 🧘🏻♀️🌅 have in common? They’re all fun experiences on offer at our wineries this summer!
🧶 Summer craft series at @boegerwinery
🌮 Food trucks at @starfieldvineyards
🥂 Happy Hour at @chateaudestienne
🎸 Live music at several wineries (including @shadowranchvineyards, pictured. Photo: @mcbridepictures)
See more at ElDoradoWines.org/Events
#ElDoradoCounty #ElDoradoWines #WineryEvents #WineCountry
Fact: Mondays are always better when it’s World Chocolate Day! 🍫 Which always goes well with wine. 🍷
If you`re curious about pairing our wines with chocolate, our friends at @annabelleschocolate offer a range of chocolate and wine flights featuring red, white, and dessert wines from our wineries.
Give them a follow for their monthly featured flight!
#ElDoradoWines #ElDoradoCounty #ChocolateDay #EveryDayisChocolateDay #MondayMotivation
