| American Viticulture studies reveal that the cultivation | | | | Napa Valley. However, the past few decades has |
| of grapes in America dates back to the 17th century, | | | | seen the Sierra Foothills make a glorious comeback. |
| by the Dutch farmers. Some of the oldest and most | | | | Certain soils and microclimates within the region have |
| premium vineyards in North America are situated in | | | | contributed towards improved winemaking. It claims |
| California. The California wine trade industry flourished | | | | to have surpassed all previous expectations and |
| in the Gold Rush regions of the Sierra Foothills. One | | | | achievements. |
| of the oldest vineyards of America is situated in | | | | From south to the north, the Sierra Foothills province |
| Amador County, near Plymouth. The Sierra Foothills | | | | includes Mariposa, Calaveras, Tuolomne, Amador, El |
| wine harvesting and producing region stretches from | | | | Dorado and all the Nevada Counties. This region is |
| Mariposa County to El Dorado, with Calaveras, | | | | home to an extremely pleasant and beautiful |
| Amador and Tuolomne counties in between. It | | | | springtime and a particularly dry and warm summer. |
| extends from Mariposa to Placerville and the | | | | The low-lying areas are mainly situated in the Oak |
| vineyards are situated roughly at an altitude between | | | | belt and Chapparal, while the higher elevations are |
| 2,500 and 3,000 feet. | | | | located in the pine belt. This belt flaunts a very |
| The Sierra Foothills wine province developed along | | | | pleasant weather even during summer. |
| the similar lines of the more popular Napa Valley and | | | | Wineries in the southern part of the foothills are |
| Sonoma County vineyards. The El Dorado County | | | | traditional and charming. They are perfect for those |
| vineyards were planted mainly for the Petite Sirah, | | | | who wish to indulge in local wines, with the family in |
| Mission, Zinfandel and similar Italian varieties. These | | | | tow. The southern wineries generally focus on |
| varieties are still some of the finest premium wines | | | | making traditional varieties of wine, like the |
| of the Sierra Foothills. Due to the high elevation of | | | | Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The |
| this particular region, the lack of ocean influences and | | | | Maldavino vineyards in the Calaveras County serve |
| the cooling fog is largely compensated. An added | | | | some of the most reputed wines made from the |
| advantage is that this region receives an abundance | | | | legendary Mission grapes. |
| of sunshine throughout the growing season, which is | | | | A wide range of quality wines are born at the Sierra |
| important for the clear fruity flavor and the vegetal | | | | Foothills and finding exceptional value is quite easy, |
| and herbal hints. | | | | even among the finest of all premium wines. This is |
| Wine cultivation in the Sierra Foothills was affected in | | | | largely because most of the Sierra wineries are small, |
| the early half of the 20th century because of the | | | | family businesses that sell to an established consumer |
| decline in population and due to the imposed | | | | base or sometimes via the wine tasting rooms. Other |
| prohibition. The region only started to progress in the | | | | larger wine producing industries have taken a |
| trade, in the late 70s. Reports reveal that some parts | | | | backseat, although several large Sonoma and Napa |
| of the Sierra Foothills possess similar climatic | | | | Valley wineries have been catering big time, for many |
| conditions as that of St Helena and Oakville, in the | | | | years now. |