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.
Fun fact: Over 75% of the wine produced in El Dorado County is both grown and produced locally! 🍇 💪
#ElDoradoWines #ElDoradoCounty #MountainGrown
Pictured: @nelloolivowinery
@artsandcultureeldorado`s newest exhibition, “Ars Vinifera: The Art of the Wine Label,” opens on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at the Switchboard Gallery.
It showcases the work of some of the region’s talented artists who have partnered with local wineries to create art on a bottle—original artworks that grace the labels of El Dorado County`s world-class wines!
The new exhibition will complement El Dorado Passport Weekend on April 20-21, as the Switchboard gallery will be open to the public on both days.
Learn more about the exhibition at the link in bio.
#ElDoradoWines #Passport #ArtsandCultureElDorado #WineLabels
What do Cowboy Koolaid and Kenyan BBQ have in common? 🤠🍗 Spoiler Alert: They’re both at this year’s Passport!
You`ve heard that Passport is coming up on April 20-21. 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).
It’s not every day you can enjoy:
🍗 Kenyan BBQ paired with a flight of award-winning wines at @mellowoodvineyard
🏠 A 1920`s themed wine tasting in a historic 1852 Victorian mansion at @nelloolivowinery
🤠 Authentic western-style pork ribs and cowboy rice paired with award-winning wines (including their Cowboy Koolaid, aka Fiano) at @crystal_basin_cellars
🍷 An opportunity to be a wine club member for a day at 20+ wineries!
Ticket sales end on April 19. Yes, that’s a little over three weeks away, but why wait until the last minute?
Get tickets today at the link in bio.
📷 @shadowranchvineyard @mcbridepictures
#ElDoradoWines #Passport2024
It may be spring, but Mother Nature sure didn’t get the memo today! ❄️ 🌼
Scenes from our wineries in Fair Play (@goldenleaveswinery) and Pleasant Valley (@narrowgatevineyards).
#SpringSnow #Spring #ElDoradoWines
#eldoradowines #mountainwine #mountaingrown #sierrafoothills #wineries #sierrafoothillswine #winecountry #renonv #nevada #wineexperiences #reno #sacramento #granitebay #folsom #eldoradohills #sfbayarea #visiteldoradocounty #eldoradocounty #winetasting #southlaketahoe #visitgoldcountry #californiawines
Whether you prefer Michelin Stars to Downward Dog, you`ll find plenty of unique experiences at our wineries this spring, including:
👩🌾 Sunday South County Farmers’ Market at @shadowranchvineyard, Sundays 12-4 starting April 14
🍷 Passport Weekend, 24 wineries, April 20-21
🌮 Fiesta on Omo with @goldenleaveswinery and @mellowoodvineyard, May 4
🧘🏼 WOGA (Wine + Yoga) at @boegerwinery, beginning May 19
🐷 Snout to Tail Dinner at @delfinofarms with @michelinguide rated @canoneastsac, May 18
#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #MountainWine
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. 🍇 🍷
Our upcoming Passport Weekend, April 20-21, will feature many wineries committed to sustainable growing and winemaking practices.
Get your tickets at the link in bio.
#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #MountainWine #Sustainable
Passport is more than a weekend. It’s a tradition, one that we’ve celebrated for 33 years. 🥂 Join us on April 20-21 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 the link in bio.
#ElDoradoWines #PassportWeekend #ElDoradoCounty
It`s been a minute since we introduced ourselves, and we`ve seen a few new faces around here. Hi! 👋🏻 We’re the El Dorado Winery Association (EDWA), a group of small, independent, and fun-loving wineries in El Dorado County, California, with a passion for growing and crafting high-quality wines in our high-altitude Sierra foothill landscape.
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 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 event, Passport, has been around for 33 years!
This year’s event is April 20-21, and you can learn more or get tickets at the link in the bio.
📷 @starfieldvineyards
Hey there, Spring. We see you. 👀 🌸 🌼
📷 @bumgarnerwinery
#ElDoradoWines #SpringisHere #BumgarnerWinery
TFW your favorite wineries receive more awards for their wines. 🥂 🎉 🏆
Congratulations to all the recent accolades, including:
🍷 @lavacapwinery ’s 2022 Estate Grenache (92 points from @wineandspirits)
🍷 @boegerwinery’s 2019 Merlot (94 points from @vinepair)
🍷 @madronavineyard’s 2019 Quintet (90 points by Wine & Spirits )
🍷 @chateaudestienne’s 2021 Touriga Nacional (Double Gold at the 2024 San Francisco Chronicle wine competition)
#ElDoradoWines #ElDoradoAVA #AwardWinners
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.
📷 @chateaudestienne
#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #MountainWine
Spring at our wineries is truly stunning. 🙌 🌸 🌼
📷 @delfinofarms
#ElDoradoWines #MountainGrown #MountainWine
