Where the vines meet the pines
SIERRA VINTNERS
A New Direction in California Wine
• Sierra Vintners is located in Nevada County, California between Sacramento and Reno/Lake Tahoe with easy access
off I-80.
• Sierra Vintners wineries and tasting rooms are located throughout the Sierra Foothills and within the towns of Grass
Valley and Nevada City, California.
• Sierra Vintners is part of the Sierra Foothills American Viticultural Area (AVA), which was established in 1987 on the
western edge of the Sierra Nevada: Roughly 160 miles long, stretching from Yuba County in the north to Mariposa
County in the south.
• Wine grapes were first planted here during the California Gold Rush, but like in so many California regions rich in wine
history, serious wine making reemerged and flourished only within the past thirty years.
• Sierra Vintners is a region of contrasts with dense forests, snow-capped mountains, golden valleys, and spectacular
rolling vistas.
• Like much of Northern California, the area has a classic Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and rainy winters
that often include snow in higher elevations.
• The characteristic cold winters are in fact quite conducive, allowing vines to go dormant, to rest and conserve energy
for the coming season.
• In the summer, the warm days and cool nights provide ideal growing conditions—producing grapes with ripe,
concentrated flavors and balanced natural acidity—resulting in wines of distinction.
• Vineyards are planted at elevations as low as 1,300 feet all the way up to 2,600. The region boasts over 60 miles of
terrain between vineyards and as a result, the grapes display a diverse array of varietal characteristics.
• Sierra Vintners produces an unusually wide variety of vines, boasting over 45 planted varietals.
• Nevada County’s four distinct seasons, and its range of elevations and landscapes, makes it a fertile home for more
than forty varieties of wine grapes, ranging from Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon to Cabernet
Franc, Barbera, Sangiovese and Tempranillo.
PO Box 1552 • GrassValley, CA 95945 • 530.205.3016 • www.sierravintners.com
Where the vines meet the pines
HISTORY
The towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City still have an energy that reaches back to their roots at the heart of the
California Gold Rush. In 1850, miners discovered a huge strike of gold-bearing quartz and started a boom that made
Grass Valley and Nevada City two of the most important mining towns in the state. When the original miners came, they
brought grape vines with them. Nevada County’s first vineyards date back to 1852.
Prior to that, at the dawn of the 18th century, California was ruled by Spain. In 1769, the Spanish dispatched Franciscan
friars north to occupy California. The friars planted the Mission grape, originally brought by the conquistadors from Spain.
That’s how it started. As the mission system grew, vines spread.
The start of the 19th century brought Lewis and Clark. American settlers began arriving, bringing other grape varieties with
them. Then during the Gold Rush, San Francisco was the port of entry for people heading east to the gold fields. Because
there was no Bay Bridge, many trekked around the Bay, through Mission San Jose and headed east with cuttings of
Mission vines. Miners also picked up Zinfandel cuttings in Sacramento.
The 1870s brought a post Civil War depression and an economic downturn. Nevada County had a surplus of grapes
and wineries couldn’t sell all the wine they produced. The original Nevada City Winery first appeared as a cooperative
at this time to help growers who were having difficulty.
The areas ups and downs continued with another vineyard growth occurring in the 1880s, followed by another bust in the
form of the severe national depression in the 1890’s. Because of a decline in the production of French wine caused by a tiny
aphid (phylloxera) that affected vines in France, demand for California wine increased again by the end of the 19th century.
Phylloxera eventually also affected the vineyards in Sonoma, Napa and Santa Clara, which forced most vineyards to
replant; but the infestation did not affect the vineyards in Nevada County. Local vineyards were never destroyed, so never
replanted. As a result, the original varieties planted in the years following the Gold Rush were still being grown and older
vines endured in Nevada County.
Nevada County suffered more downturns, but then an influx of Italians and Germans to the area, saved the wine. During
the first part of the 20th century, the wine industry that existed was predominantly local.
Prohibition began in 1920. While the manufacture and sale of alcohol was prohibited, consumption or the growing or
shipping of grapes was not illegal. Because of ambiguity within the law, private residents found a way to make and
consume wine. As a result, Prohibition turned out to be good for grape growers.
Prohibition was repealed in 1933, which proved devastating to the wine industry. The earlier grape-growing
boom led to oversupply and the grape market crashed in the second half of the decade. Then came
the Great Depression, but because of gold, Nevada County fared better than most places.
PO Box 1552 • GrassValley, CA 95945 • 530.205.3016 • www.sierravintners.com
Although wine making in Nevada County had flourished during the Gold Rush, escaped phylloxera, survived Prohibition
and rejuvenated during the Depression, it couldn’t survive World War II. Immigrants were older and didn’t tend the vines
or make the wines, materials had gone to the war effort and the mines were closed.
The modern era was born in 1974 when John Callendar planted seven acres of grapes on Perimeter Road in the south
county. Nevada City Winery opened in 1980, 100 years after initially opening, and it was time to start all over again.
Today, the towns of Grass Valley and Nevada City still have a feel of those early days, and many original buildings are
on the National Register of Historic Places or have been named California Landmarks.
Source: Byers, Rod. (2005, February 3rd, February 5th and March 3rd - Three Part Series). Gold dust, red dirt – Nevada County’s
wine industry has a storied past. The Union.
Where the vines meet the pines
GeographY & VITICULTURE
Sierra Vintners is located in Nevada County, California between Sacramento and Reno/Lake Tahoe with easy access off
I-80. Sierra Vintners wineries and tasting rooms are located throughout the Sierra Foothills and within the towns of Grass
Valley and Nevada City, California.
From Sacramento, CA: 50 miles
From Lake Tahoe: 61 miles
From Reno, NV: 70 miles
From San Francisco, CA: 128 miles
Our region is a relatively new star in California Wine County, but it’s a century old destination for people who want to
visit the heart of the state’s Gold Rush. Like much of Northern California, the area has a classic Mediterranean climate,
with warm summers and rainy winters that often include snow in higher elevations. The region provides ideal growing
conditions, resulting in wines of distinction. Vineyards are planted at elevations as low as 1,300 feet all the way up to
2,600. The region boasts over 60 miles of terrain between vineyards and as a result, the grapes display a diverse array
of styles. Sierra Vintners produces an unusually wide variety of vines, boasting over 45 planted varietals, ranging from
Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon to Cabernet Franc, Barbera, Sangiovese and Tempranillo.
LOCATION
Sierra Vintners wine region is situated off of U.S. Interstate I-80, halfway between Sacramento, California and Reno, Nevada.
SIERRA VINTNERS VITICULTURAL AREA
Established in 1987 on the western edge of the Sierra Nevada, the Sierra Foothills American Viticultural Area (AVA) is
roughly 160 miles long, stretching from Yuba County in the north to Mariposa County in the south, along the western
portion of the Sierra Nevada, with Amador, El Dorado and Calaveras counties in the center. Within the entire Sierra
Foothills AVA, which totals 2,600,000 acres, there are five other AVAs: California Shenandoah Valley, El Dorado, Fair
Play, Fiddletown, and North Yuba.
West-to-east, the Sierra Nevada elevation gradually increases from the California Central Valley to the crest, while the
east slope forms the steep Sierra Escarpment. The Pacific Ocean watersheds of the west slope are the Sacramento
River hydrologic subregion (north), the San Joaquin River subregion (central), and the endorheic Tulare-Buena Vista Lake
subregion (south). The endorheic east slope is part of the Great Basin and has drainage water that is moved to the
southern California coastal subregion by the Los Angeles Aqueduct.
TOPOGRAPHY
The Sierra Foothills AVA consists of a terrain of diversity and distinction that encompasses dense forests, snowcapped mountains, golden valleys, and spectacular rolling vistas. The main geographical features of the
area are the Sierra Foothills and the Yuba River.
PO Box 1552 • GrassValley, CA 95945 • 530.205.3016 • www.sierravintners.com
CLIMATE /GROWING SEASON
Like much of Northern California, the area has a classic Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and rainy winters that
often include snow in higher elevations. The characteristic cold winters are in fact quite conducive, allowing vines to go
dormant, to rest and conserve energy for the coming season.
In the summer, the warm days and cool nights provide ideal growing conditions—producing grapes with ripe, concentrated
flavors and balanced natural acidity—resulting in wines of distinction.
ELEVATION
Vineyards are planted at elevations as low as 1,300 feet all the way up to 2,600. The region boasts over 60 miles of
terrain between vineyards and as a result, the grapes display a diverse array of styles.
NUMBER OF WINERIES
Sierra Vintners features 15 wineries and up to 20 tasting rooms, offering a diverse wine experience with handcrafted and
award winning wines, rural vineyards and wineries, and downtown tasting rooms in the historic towns of Grass Valley and
Nevada City, CA.
VARIETIES
Sierra Vintners produces an unusually wide variety of vines, boasting over 45 planted varietals, ranging from Chardonnay,
Merlot, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon to Cabernet Franc, Barbera, Sangiovese and Tempranillo.
Where the vines meet the pines
Alliances/Events/aCCOLADES
Sierra Vintners is a partnership of wineries located in Nevada County, California, collaborating to promote this emerging
wine region in the Sierra Foothills. The association is responsible for marketing and promoting their wines, wineries,
vineyards and tasting rooms to support the growers and vintners within the region, as well as reinforce the Sierra Vintners
brand regionally and nationally. The association’s efforts include consumer outreach, public relations, media relations,
consumer tours and presentation of entertainment, legislative monitoring and support of California winery organizations
and associations. Sierra Vintners is also partners promoting the area along with Nevada City Chamber of Commerce,
Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Grass Valley Association.
Annual Events
Our wineries put on a range of area-wide events through the year that give you a real sense of just what’s so special about
our Sierra Vintners region. They include:
Foothills Celebration | First Saturday in March
Downtown Grass Valley mixes its eclectic Gold Rush feel with a festival featuring the region’s exceptional wines, gourmet
food and live music, then combines it all with a downtown stroll of the town’s boutiques, restaurants and galleries.
Discover the Wine Trail | Mid/End of June
Each year, our region creates a grand tour of all that’s here in our award-winning wine country. You can explore the towns
and distinct valleys and sub-regions, meet the winemakers, taste their wines and barrel samples, enjoy food pairings and
see firsthand vineyards, working wineries and caves. Or just hang out, sip some wine and listen to live music.
Nevada City Uncorked | Early August
A Taste of the Gold | Mid/End of September
Each harvest season, among the breathtaking pine trees, Nevada County Fair Grounds transforms itself into a food-andwine wonderland by offering samples of the best food and wine from the area. Visit www.SierraVintners.com for more
event details.
Sierra Vintners wineries have received hundreds of awards to date, including multiple Double Gold, Gold Sweeps, Best of
Class, 4-Star Gold and Platinum Best of Class. The recognition of their wines ranges from such prestigious events as the San
Diego International Wine Competition to the coveted San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition to the prized California
State Fair Competition. There are too many awards, points and acknowledgements to list here, so please visit our website
at www.sierravintners.com for a full listing under the section “accolades”.
PO Box 1552 • GrassValley, CA 95945 • 530.205.3016 • www.sierravintners.com
Where the vines meet the pines
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
“I have lived in Sacramento for 20+ years and had no idea this adorable area was so close. The fact that so many of the
wineries have convenient tasting rooms in downtown Grass Valley and Nevada City is a great bonus! We will be back!”
Ellen G.
Sacramento
“We enjoyed having the option of driving to a local winery where it was easy to taste great wines. The owner/winemaker
was the one pouring the wines, so he shared how he started and why he blended the way he does. Then his wife came out
and visited with us while we sat on the patio enjoying the peace of their quaint property. They made us feel like we were
right at home in our own winery”.
Karen M.
Roseville
“Last year we went to the draft horse classic with our daughter and she took us to an event they were having there where all
the wineries and local restaurants were pouring samples of their wines. We don’t know much about wine, but we enjoyed
so many of them, that we have now been back up to a number of the wineries to experience them in person. Everyone is
so friendly and we have now found a couple of favorites! We had no idea this whole wine area was so close. Now, we
are setting up a trip with our neighbors to make a full day of touring”
Theresa H.
Carmichael
“I’ve traveled to many many many wine regions and have found no other like this one. The wines are varied. The people
are incredibly friendly. There is a downtown area with tasting rooms if you don’t feel like driving around, plus lots of places
to eat and unique art within the shops. But if that isn’t your speed, there is places like Naggiar and Lucchesi with beautiful
properties to enjoy the view with lunch or music or movies on a weekend. All this virtually in our backyard”.
Jerry B.
Santa Rosa
“Solune! I love Solune. To sit outside under those beautiful pine trees with a picnic and enjoy their wines is a perfect afternoon”.
Heather
Roseville
“We went to Pilot Peak to get a “taste” (no pun intended) of their Saturday fun and it was WELL worth it. We will be back!”
Stephen M.
Colfax
PO Box 1552 • GrassValley, CA 95945 • 530.205.3016 • www.sierravintners.com
Where the vines meet the pines
cONTACT US
Avanguardia Wines
Montoliva Vineyard & Winery
Smith Vineyard
13028 Jones Bar Road
Nevada City, CA 95959
Tel: 530.274.9482
Email: [email protected]
www.AvanguardiaWines.com
15629 Mount Olive Road
Chicago Park, CA 94945
Tel: 530.346.6577
Email: [email protected]
www.Montoliva.com
13577 Dog Bar Road
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Tel: 530.273.7032
Email: [email protected]
www.SmithVineyard.com
Bent Metal Winery
Naggiar Vineyards
Solune Winegrowers
14364 McCourtney Road
Grass Valley, CA 95949
Tel: 530.559.9533
Email: [email protected]
www.BentMetalWinery.com
18125 Rosemary Lane
Grass Valley, CA 95949
Tel: 530.268.9059
Email: [email protected]
www.NaggiarVineyards.com
16303 Jewett Lane (Off Hwy 174)
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Tel: 530.271.0990
Email: [email protected]
www.SoluneWinery.com
Coufos Cellars
Nevada City Winery
Szabo Vineyards
10065 Rough & Ready Road
Rough & Ready, CA 95975
Tel: 530.274.2923
Email: [email protected]
www.CoufosCellars.com
321 Spring Street
Nevada City, CA 95959
Tel: 530.265.9463
Email: [email protected]
www.NCWinery.com
14293 Gold Fork Road
Nevada City, CA 95959
Tel: 530.274.7282
Email: [email protected]
www.SzaboVineyards.com
Double Oak Vineyards & Winery
Pilot Peak Vineyard & Winery
Sierra Vintners Asssociation
14510 Blind Shady Road
Nevada City, CA 95959
Tel: 530.292.3235
Email: [email protected]
www.DoubleOakWinery.com
12888 Spenceville Road
Penn Valley, CA 95946
Tel: 530.432.3321
Email: [email protected]
www.PilotPeak.com
PO Box 1552
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Tel: 530.205.3016
Email: [email protected]
www.SierraVintners.com
Indian Springs Vineyards
Sierra Knolls Vineyard & Winery
For press or marketing information:
303 Broad Street
Nevada City, CA 95959
Tel: 530.478.1068 or 800.375.9311
Email: [email protected]
www.IndianSpringsWines.com
19635 Kingswood Court
Grass Valley, CA 95949
Tel: 530.269.2327
Email: [email protected]
www.sierraknollswinery.com
Infuze Marketing
Tel: 916.662.0008
Email: [email protected]
www.InfuzeMarketing.com
Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery
Sierra Starr Vineyard
19698 View Forever Lane
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Tel: 530.273.1596
Email: [email protected]
www.LucchesiVineyards.com
11179 Gibson Drive
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Tel: 530.477.8277
Email: [email protected]
www.SierraStarrWine.com
PO Box 1552 • GrassValley, CA 95945 • 530.205.3016 • www.sierravintners.com