Amador County is becoming one of the most important winemaking areas in the world. While Sonoma County and Napa Valley have had decades of growing all types of grapes, pioneers to Amador County like Scott Harvey Wines and others are finding real advantages to producing specific varietals in this area.
California, by the way, happens to be the fourth largest producer of wines in the world, following only Italy, France, and Spain.
Every area has strengths and weaknesses for growing specific grape varieties. In Amador County, the Zinfandel has arisen as the principal variety, while Cabernet Sauvignon has emerged as one of the most popular varietals in other locations, including Sonoma Valley. Also produced here are Syrah and some important high-quality Italian varietals like Sangiovese and Barbera, as well as Rhone varietals like Syrah and Viognier.
A Look at Sonoma Valley’s Wine Business
Sonoma is the birthplace of California’s wine business, supporting the state’s oldest premier and family-owned wineries. With highly diverse growing conditions, Sonoma Valley has 19 AVAs offering tall mountains, fifty miles of coastline, numerous hills, and sun-kissed valleys.
This area is home to over 60 different grape varieties, although seven comprise more than 90% of the overall production. The principal varieties harvested here are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah.
Amador County Growing and Winemaking
Only about 100 miles to the east, the Amador County wine area, also known as Gold Country, is continuing to grow as an outstanding wine production area, complete with several artisan wineries.
This area of Northern California initially attracted hopeful prospectors from 1848 to 1855. While most had little luck finding gold, many stayed because of the beauty and other attributes of the area.
While growing grapes for around 150 years, Amador County is less well-known than Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley. While more tourists explore those other regions regularly, Amador’s mountaintop and foothill vineyards have been producing excellent Zinfandels and Barberas, always worthy of direct comparisons to the wines of any other region.
Amador County offers visitors a chance to escape from the more extensive crowds of Sonoma Valley and focus more on the proudly crafted wines of exceptional value served by proud families and others at the boutique wineries of Amador County.
The higher elevations of Amador County are supportive of a different group of grapes than in Sonoma Valley. The climate is different, generally somewhat cooler, and the soils are highly diverse.
Visit Scott Harvey Wines
After spending many years making top-level wines in Napa Valley, Scott Harvey moved his operations to Amador County to take advantage of the many attributes of growing and producing there.
Scott and Jana Harvey now produce a wide range of conventional and specialty wines, each designed to serve at any gathering.
To learn more about Scott Harvey Wines and to make reservations for your visit, visit the winery’s website at the Book New Reservation location. You can choose from three locations in Plymouth, Sutter Creek, or Clarksburg, California.
If you have questions, phone Scott Harvey Wines at (209)-245-3670.