As you've read in my past blog entries, my focus has been on the wines and wineries of Calaveras County. This makes sense, given that our primary tasting room is in Murphys (we also have one in Clarksburg, for you Sacramento folk) and that I'm currently serving as Co-President of the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance.
However, a new, expanded focus is afoot. The Executive Directors and key stakeholders from Calaveras, El Dorado, and Amador counties met in late May at the offices of the Amador Vintners Association. The purpose was to hold initial discussions about joint marketing initiatives to promote the wines and wineries of the Sierra Foothills collectively, rather than as three (and more) distinct counties. This is an exciting and needed initiative; there's strength in numbers. Additionally, the similarities across the Foothill counties far outweigh their differences. Collectively, we will strive to expand the awareness of and interest in the Sierra Foothills as one of California's most distinct and distinctive wine growing regions.
These points of distinction include our altitude (California's only pure mountain appellation), our soils (decomposed granite and/or volcanic ash), and our climate (Mediterranean). The result is that we grow some of the best, most consumer-friendly wine grapes that most wine drinkers have never heard of - grapes such as Tempranillo, Grenache, Sangiovese, Touriga, Primitivo, Carignane, Mourvedre, Roussanne, Marsanne,Viognier, and many others. From a visitor standpoint, our most important differences from other regions are the relaxed, casual atmosphere of our tasting rooms and the presence of owners and winemakers on most weekends - if not more often. Wine tasting the way it used to be.
Our collective discussions are at an early stage. But the ideas are big: a Sierra Foothills Wineries website; collective events; "roadshow" tastings throughout the state, the nation, and - eventually - the world. And many more ideas to come.
It's going to be a fun, challenging, and interesting ride. I'll keep you informed.
If you have any comments or questions about this - or any - of my blog entries, please contact me at paladin.mod@gmail.com. I promise to respond to all emails and publish those that seem appropriate.
However, a new, expanded focus is afoot. The Executive Directors and key stakeholders from Calaveras, El Dorado, and Amador counties met in late May at the offices of the Amador Vintners Association. The purpose was to hold initial discussions about joint marketing initiatives to promote the wines and wineries of the Sierra Foothills collectively, rather than as three (and more) distinct counties. This is an exciting and needed initiative; there's strength in numbers. Additionally, the similarities across the Foothill counties far outweigh their differences. Collectively, we will strive to expand the awareness of and interest in the Sierra Foothills as one of California's most distinct and distinctive wine growing regions.
These points of distinction include our altitude (California's only pure mountain appellation), our soils (decomposed granite and/or volcanic ash), and our climate (Mediterranean). The result is that we grow some of the best, most consumer-friendly wine grapes that most wine drinkers have never heard of - grapes such as Tempranillo, Grenache, Sangiovese, Touriga, Primitivo, Carignane, Mourvedre, Roussanne, Marsanne,Viognier, and many others. From a visitor standpoint, our most important differences from other regions are the relaxed, casual atmosphere of our tasting rooms and the presence of owners and winemakers on most weekends - if not more often. Wine tasting the way it used to be.
Our collective discussions are at an early stage. But the ideas are big: a Sierra Foothills Wineries website; collective events; "roadshow" tastings throughout the state, the nation, and - eventually - the world. And many more ideas to come.
It's going to be a fun, challenging, and interesting ride. I'll keep you informed.
If you have any comments or questions about this - or any - of my blog entries, please contact me at paladin.mod@gmail.com. I promise to respond to all emails and publish those that seem appropriate.