The 8 Best Amador County Wineries To Visit
Why should you care about the best Amador County wineries? Some wine lovers may even ask, "Where is Amador County?" Amador County is located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Foothills. Some call it “The Heart of the Mother Lode” because of the gold and silver rush that made this area famous in the 1800's. Amador was once home to the California Gold Rush with numerous gold mines in the region.
Now the area is famous for liquids instead of metals. You’ll be shouting “mother” when you first experience the wine from one of the top wineries that call Amador County home. Wine tasting with breathtaking mountain views is the norm here. While breathing in that fresh, California air can make you feel light and free and….time for another glass of wine.
There are so many great wines in the area, but these are the 8 best Amador County wineries to start with. When you plan your Sierra Foothills wine tasting adventure, remember to include at least a few of these wineries.
Helwig Vineyards & Winery
Spending a day at Helwig is just what the wine doctor ordered. Here, you’ll be tempted into staying beyond the hour wine tasting and indulge in the sweeping views of the lush vineyards. You can try the picnic Pavilion, visit the wine cave, explore the terraced concert amphitheater, or let the chef select wine and food pairings for you.
If you gaze long enough, you can pretend you’re in Napa, the views are that good! The tastings are just $5 for 6 or 7 wines and the fee is waived if you purchase a bottle. The winery itself is more modern than those in the surrounding area. The winery is also perfect for corporate events and weddings, having designated areas and rooms just for those occasions. Shopping is also a must here as they have a wide variety of olive oil products that include lip balms, soaps, and even seasoned dips.
Some of their most notable wines include their Gold Country Rosé, IditaRed red blend, East Block Zinfandel, and their Sparkling Rosé. This is definitely one of the best Amador County wineries to visit!
Helwig Vineyards & Winery : 11555 Shenandoah Rd. Plymouth, CA 95669 209-245-5200
Jeff Runquist Wines
The winemaker here is focused on making balanced wines full of vibrant flavor. A visit to the tasting room means you’ll get to experience some of the robust flavors in their Zinfandel, Primitivo, Barbera, Sangiovese, Dolcetto, and Carbon. You’ll receive a complimentary cheese plate to pair with each of the wines, the wine tasting is also free. We think great wine and free tastings make this one of the best Amador County wineries for visitors.
The tasting room is always busy and a little loud, but the good energy is contagious and so are the consistently good reds. Visitors have been known to go from tasting to wine club member in one swoop.
For more diehard winos there is an “R” Vineyard House to rent for $800/night and features multiple decks with breathtaking panoramic views and a saltwater swimming pool.
Jeff Runquist Wines - 10776 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, CA 95669 209-245-6282
Karmère Vineyards & Winery
Next on our list of the best Amador County wineries is a beautiful French chateau-inspired winery features complimentary wine tasting. The wine is served by a friendly and knowledgeable staff. The tastings offered at Karmère include new and popular releases. They also let you taste future wine releases straight from the barrel. Want an insiders tip? Their pours are quite generous for a tasting.
In addition to Reds, Karmère also offers Almond and Peach Sparkling Wines.
The winery is run by women and all of their vineyards are named after the women in the family. The grounds are manicured. You would be forgiven for thinking you were back in the old country during your visit! What a perfect backdrop for watching the sunset with a glass of wine. There is also a winery cat named Grayson who lives on the property.
Karmère Vineyards & Winery: 11970 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, CA 95669 209-245-5000
Andis Wines
You get the feeling that Andis is the Tesla of wineries. Modern, sleek with a futuristic design. So it is no surprise the parking area offers electric vehicle charging stations. The state of the art winemaking facility was built with a "green" approach. This makes Andis stand out from the rest of the wineries in the area.
The tasting room itself is quite spacious and offers panoramic views of Amador wine country. Even though the look is modern and sleek, the heart of the winery is fun and welcoming. It is clear they want you to come and hang out a while. You will find bocce ball courts, large picnic areas, and wines on tap to enhance your experience.
Even with all these modern attributes, their wine tastings are only $5 for 6 wines. That feels like a throwback to the good old days of wine tasting!
They also have events throughout the years like Redneck BBQs, Art Classes, and Harvest events where guests can stomp on grapes.
Popular offerings include their crisp Sauvignon Blanc and their Cabernet Franc. They also have the oldest Zinfandel in the country, grapes harvested from a 100-year old vine. Love modern design and great wine? This is one of the best Amador County wineries for you!
Andis Wines 11000 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, C 95669 209-245-6177
Iron Hub Winery
Visit Iron Hub to taste their award-winning wines and stay to get swept away by the inspiring views of the Sierra Nevadas. In the heart of the historic gold country, Iron Hub Winery is a personable and inviting atmosphere where you can taste newly released small-batch wines, both red and white.
The tasting room is opened Friday-Monday and offers tastings of some of their most popular wines including their Rosé, Sangiovese, Clockspring Zinfandel, and their Syrah. Their calendar is always busy with events such as BBQs and Grape Stomping which you can pre-purchase tickets for. The winery is family owned and operated by husband and wife team Tom and Beth Jones. Their newly renovated tasting room opened in Fall 2017.
Iron Hub Winery 12500 Steiner Road. Plymouth, CA 95669 209-245-6307
Cooper Vineyards
The magic number is 17, as in Cooper Vineyards produces 17 different varietals of wine which all began with Barbera, 35 years ago. The vast farm is made up nearly 100 acres which produce flavorful white wines like their Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc and robust reds like Barbara, Syrah, and SangioBello.
The large tasting room gives off a Spanish farmhouse vibe and is always bustling and you will find the experience informative and personable at this family-owned and operated winery. Tastings flights are seasonal, so each visit promises a new wine tasting experience. Make sure to add this fun and diverse winery to your list of top wine tasting stops in Amador County.
Cooper Vineyards 21365 Shenandoah School Road, Plymouth, CA 95669 209-245-6181
Prospect Cellars
Another one of the best Amador County wineries to visit gives you a taste of history with your glass of wine. We know you’ll love Prospect Cellars. The tasting room is housed in a charming restored Post Office. Not only is it a tasting room, but also a local hangout with a visitor’s center and an eatery.
Guests can wine taste with bites like the charcuterie and cheese plate or even ice cream - Raspberry Zinfandel Chip, anyone? Their popular wines include Gold Digger Red Wine, Pay Dirt Zinfandel, and the Cooper Ranch Barbera. At Prospect you can munch on toasted panini sandwiches, pairing them with wine flights. They are also open later than most wineries in town, so it’s a great last stop to keep that wine buzz going.
Prospect Cellars 9506 Main Street, Plymouth, CA 95669 209-680-9003
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