Zinfandel: NYT Article on Amador County

In California Gold Country, a New Rush for Old Wine
By SALLY McGRANE
NYTIMES

Here are some key excerpts from a NY Times Article on the Sierra Foothills wineries:

The region starting around the town of Sonora north through Calaveras County, Amador County and El Dorado County has seen a boomlet in small wineries that is drawing vintners in increasing numbers to the rolling, oak-studded foothills

These vineyards tend to be much smaller and more offbeat, and less packaged and crowded, than those in the more famous Napa Valley, to the west. The tasting rooms are free (unlike in Napa, where many charge), unpretentious and more often than not run by the winemakers themselves.

It is largely, but not entirely, a local industry catering to a local market. According to Andrew Waterhouse, a professor of oenology at the University of California at Davis, the region's wineries are a mix of high-quality producers and hobbyists.

"I go there when I want to get away," said Dr. Waterhouse, who is a fan of the area's zinfandel. "It's much more laid back and relaxed there. You might be the only people at the winery. You can chat with the winemakers, have a picnic."

She continues:

Winemaking in the region dates back to the 1850's. It is known today for its intense, fruity zinfandel, but vineyards have also been producing Rhone varietals and some Italian varietals in recent years. The industry had all but died out before its resurgence in the 1970's and 1980's, and in the last five years has begun growing rapidly.

Recent growth has led to some conflict, however. Smaller wineries relish the tranquillity — and absence of Napa-style traffic jams — in their valley. But newer, larger wineries have started advertising, and their neighbors do not like it.

Villa Toscano was started two years ago by Jerry and Erika Wright, former real estate developers from Seattle who moved to the Shenandoah Valley to retire, then found themselves in the wine business. They have built a palatial yellow neo-Tuscan tasting room and added a bistro, but are frustrated with what they see as a local resistance to growth. "They didn't want us to put a bistro in here," Mr. Wright said, "but I said, `I'm going to do it anyway.'

Related Links
· New York Times
· Calaveras Wine Association
· Eldorado Winery Association
· Amador Vintners’ On-Line