California American Viticultural Area's

Please pick one of the AVA's below for a complete listing of wineries in that area. If by some chance you select an AVA Listed that does not have any wineries listed, you will be informed about it below.

AVA Listed in California


List of Wineries in Placer County

There are 10 wineries located in the Placer County region of the Sierra Foothill Vitucultural Area. Most of these wineries are located between the 800 and 2000 foot elevation. Like most of the foothill the area has very warm summer days but cools significantly in the evening with the breezes off the mountains. This is a popular area for Syrah grapes as well as the Italian varietals.
      
Baumbach Winery - Auburn, California

The Winery
The winery started life as the Bernhard Winery (Old Rock Winery) in the 1870s. The winery building has been lovingly redone, and has a small tasting area in the barrel room. Next to the winery is the Bernhard Museum, which commemorates the Gold Rush era in the thriving city of Auburn. The winery is located adjacent to the Placer County fairgrounds.

The Winemaker
The winemaker at Baumbach Winery is owner Neal Baumbach. Mr. Baumbach is a neurologist who found he had a passion for making wines in the French and Italian style. He can often be found in the winery, and tasting room, and is typically happy to talk about his wine.


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Dono dal Cielo - Newcastle, California

The Winery
Karen and Bill McGillivray created the estate in 2001 by planting ten acres of Zinfandel vines. The winery building is located in the low rolling foothills, on the site of a farm and orchard originally established in the 1930s. Although there is little to no wine tasting offered at the winery, they have recently opened a tasting room with three other Placer County wineries called The Wine...

The Winemaker
The winemaker at Dono dal Cielo is Derek Irwin. Mr. Irwin has worked for such distinguished wineries as Bouchaine and Viansa Vineyards, both of which are located in the Los Carneros AVA.


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Fawnridge Winery - Auburn, California

The Winery
Stewart and Stephanie Perry purchased their estate in 1989. Originally starting as a sheep ranch, they decided to switch to grapes when it became obvious there was a resurgence of the wine industry in this historic area. The winery sits on top of a ridge with wonderful views of the Sacramento Valley, making this the perfect spot to relax during your hectic day of wine touring. The winery has...

The Winemaker
Stewart and Stephanie Perry were avid wine enthusiasts who discovered a love of making the wine themselves. After years spent enjoying wine, they opened a winery of their own in 2004.


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Green Family Winery - Auburn, California

The Winery
The Green Family is dedicated to making wines with as little human intervention as possible. They are devoted to making foothill wines from the grapes that grow well here, Rhone and Italian Varietals. Although wine tasting at the winery is by appointment only, they have recently opened a tasting room with three other Placer County wineries called The Wine Rack, which is located in downtown...

The Winemaker
Co-founder of the Placer County Wine and Grape Association, Charlie Green has been very active in the local wine community for several years. Although a vintner first, he started making wine at Green Family in 2000.


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Mt. Vernon Winery - Auburn, California

The Winery
Jim and Lynda Taylor established their winery in 1996. The artfully designed tasting room started life as a milk house in the 1950s. The entire room is almost a mural of grapevines, and features a modern wood bar. The winery also has wine caves that can hold up to 200 French and/or American Oak barrels. Although there is a tasting room open at the winery, they have recently opened a second...

The Winemaker
The Winery is run by father and son duo of Ryan and Jim Taylor. Ryan is the actual winemaker with father Jim doing all of the thousands of other jobs that running winery requires.


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Ophir Winery - Newcastle, California

The Winery
The winery is run by a partnership of Craig Green, Paul Burns and Mike Abbott. Craig was the first to discover Placer County, moving there in 1979. Paul Burns was the next to make it to the area, moving next door to Craig. The winery has no tasting room at this time, but tasting can be scheduled by appointment.

The Winemaker
Mike Abbott started winemaking in the 70s at the Gemello winery in Mountain View area of the Santa Clara Valley. A graduate of the University of California at Davis with a degree in political science., he later returned and pursued classes in winemaking at the UCD Extension facility.


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Pescatore Winery - Newcastle, California

The Winery
Pescatore Winery is located on 15 acres in the rolling lower foothills just outside of Newcastle. The tasting room is done in a beautiful European style, with a full kitchen and a large outdoor patio. The beautiful local views make this a great spot to relax while tasting a few of the estate wines.

The Winemaker
The winemaker at Pescatore is retired teacher David Wegner. He prides himself in making wine in small, hand-made batches using a more Italian traditional style.


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Rancho Roble Vineyards - Lincoln, California

The Winery
Rancho Roble Winery is located in the lower foothills on 20 acres, just four miles from the town of Lincoln. The owners, Mark and Therese Adams, are active members of the local art community and their Terra Cotta wine label is a tribute to the Gladding McBean terra cotta factory in Lincoln. The winery has the distinction of being the first bonded winery in the Lincoln area.

The Winemaker
Mark Adams is the winemaker and vineyard manager at Rancho Roble Vineyards. For a nominal fee he offers a personalized tour of winery and vineyards, followed by a tasting of the most recent vintages.


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Secret Ravine Winery - Loomis, California

The Winery
The winery is located on Secret Ravine Creek, directly across from Indian Creek Country Club near the town of Loomis. Owned by Ron and Vicki Morris, this is the site of a historic vineyard which was planted with Zinfandel vines during the Gold Rush. The winery owners love to share the grape growing and wine making process with their customers, and put a great deal of time and effort into the...

The Winemaker
Secret Ravine Winery is not only family run, but was created as a great way for the family to work together. The family patriarch, Ron Morris, is the winemaker at Secret Ravine.


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Vina Castellano Winery - Auburn, California

The Winery
The short trip from the wonderful Gold Rush town of Auburn to the beautiful gates of the Vina Castellano estate is well worth the drive. The vineyards and winery are set on 8 acres of rolling oak pastureland at about the 1300 foot elevation. Tasting is offered May through harvest at a Pavillion on the water Saturdays from 12 to 4 and by appointment. They also offer Cave Tours on request. The...

The Winemaker
The winemaker at Vina Castellano is Derek Irwin. Mr. Irwin has a degree in enology from the University of California at Davis, and has worked for such premium California wineries as Viansa and Bouchaine. He is considered a pioneer in California with Tempranillo, and feels it has a great home in the Sierra Nevada Foothills.


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