Sierra Foothills
Sierra Foothills
flagUnited States
North Yuba
Calaveras County
Sierra Foothills
California Shenandoah Valley
Amador County
Borden Ranch
El Dorado County
El Dorado
Fiddletown

The Sierra Foothills wine region is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, USA. The discovery of gold near Sutter Mill in 1848 led to the California Gold Rush, resulting in many settlers from Southern Europe who established vineyards to supply them with wine. By the 1860s, the Sierra Foothills wine industry was booming before the depression and Prohibition reduced the industry to just a few vineyards.

GRAPES & WINE STYLES

The Sierra Foothills are well suited to the production of big, ripe, red wines made from Zinfandel, Syrah and Italian varieties such as Barbera. Many of the vineyards here are 140 years old, and the low fertility of the soils leads to small yields of high-quality grapes.

NOTABLE PRODUCERS

The Sierra Foothills is home to a number of notable wineries, including Naggiar Vineyards, Ironstone Vineyards, and Montevina Winery.

INTERESTING FACT

The 140-year-old Grandpere vineyard in California Shenandoah Valley is said to be the oldest still in production in the entire state.