Your Guide to Wine Tasting in the Greater Sacramento Region

September is California Wine Month, meaning there's no time like the present to sip and savor all the great wines the Golden State has to offer. Better yet, it's a great time to explore all the world-class wines produced right here in the greater Sacramento region.

California is known for its renowned wine-growing regions, including Napa, Sonoma, the Central Coast, and the Russian River Valley. But it also has an up-and-coming wine scene in the Sierra Foothills, Yolo County, and even in Sacramento County itself. These wineries produce everything from Albariño to Zinfandel, but without the crowds or high prices of neighboring regions. In fact, the greater Sacramento area is home to more than 200 wineries, each with its own distinct personality. There are modern urban wineries, rustic wine country estates, and even low-key tasting barns. There are also spots where you can enjoy a winery picnic near Sacramento.

Many wineries in the state are celebrating California Wine Monthwith special events, such as harvest festivals, wine stomps, behind-the-scenes tours, and culinary experiences. Some are offering great discounts on tastings and bottle purchases, too. If you're considering spending a fall afternoon in California wine country, the following are some wineries to consider in and around Sacramento.

Top Wineries in Yolo County

Yolo County is an undiscovered gem in the wine world. Its Mediterranean climate means it produces great wine in every corner of the county, from Clarksburg along the Sacramento River in the south to Woodland in the north. You can find every style of wine here; all served in welcoming spaces with scenic views and country charm. Of note is the Old Sugar Mill, a restored sugar beet refinery that is home to 14 independently owned tasting rooms.

• Grindstone Wines:Located in the Dunnigan Hills, this friendly winery serves its wine from its modern farmhouse tasting room. Their white lineup includes Verdejo and Chenin Blanc, while the reds include Petit Verdot and Malbec. They offer live music through October as well as winemaker dinners.
• Taber Ranch:This charming spot in the bucolic Capay Valley serves wines such as Chardonnay and Tempranillo. Not a fan of wine? They also offer locally produced beer and cider, along with wood-fired pizza. Live music is also slated for most weekends.
• Bogle Family Vineyards: Bogle is a great spot to bring a picnic and enjoy a day in the vines. They offer all types of wine, including Old Vine Zin and unique blends, and serve personalized flights on their lovely deck. They also host movie nights and vendor fairs.
• Berryessa Gap Vineyards:This winery in Winters has a charming downtown tasting room as well as a rustic winery with great views of the surrounding farmland. The tasting room has live music, while the winery hosts seasonal dinners.
• Turkovich Family Wines: Another tasting room in downtown Winters, Turkovich produces small-lot wines and unique blends. They also have an estate winery nearby, with winemaker dinners, live music, dancing, and special events such as paint-and-sips.
• Great Bear Vineyards:The only winery in Davis, Great Bear produces sustainable, award-winning wines. In addition to wine, they also grow their own lavender and produce their own olive oil. Special events include estate tours, yoga, and cooking classes.

Find Your Yolo Wine-Country Retreat

Where to Go Wine Tasting in Placer County

The rolling hills of Placer County benefit from warm days and cool nights, and coupled with the well-draining soil, make it ideal for growing Italian, Iberian, and Rhône varietals such as Grenache, Sangiovese, and Viognier. There are wineries across the county, from Granite Bay in the south to Auburn in the north. You can download a guide to the Placer Wine Trailto help you get around.

• Lone Buffalo Vineyards:Located in Auburn, this welcoming winery is known for its Zins, Syrah, and Cab, as well as its Rhône-style blends. Its shabby-chic tasting room has expansive vineyard views, as well as a picnic area. They also host special events such as night markets and live music, and usually have a food truck on-site.
• Secret Ravine Vineyard:This family-run vineyard and winery in Loomis produces a range of wines, including Cab Franc, Montepulciano, and Teroldego, not to mention a handful of blends. They're known for their sustainable, award-winning wines and mellow tasting room.
• PaZa Estate Winery:This rustic winery just outside of Auburn pours wine in its quirky tasting shed, which overlooks the vineyards. Primitivo, Viognier, and the aptly named Côtes du Placer (a Châteauneuf-style blend) are a few of the wines you'll find here. They also host winemaker dinners, live music, and holiday events.

Discover Placer County Homes Near Wineries

Wineries in El Dorado County

Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Syrah are just a few of the wine grapes that grow well in El Dorado County, thanks to its warm days and cool nights. Wineries can be found throughout the county, from Pilot Hill in the north to Rescue in the west. But most wineries are clustered in the Placerville/ Camino area just off Highway 50 and in the Fair Play/Somerset area a bit further south. The following are some wineries to consider.

Wineries Near Placerville & Camino

The area commonly known as Apple Hill offers much more than just U-pick orchards and pumpkin patches. It's also a vibrant wine-growing region. Many wineries are located on scenic mountain ranches, and some offer food and live music. The following are some top spots:

• Edio Vineyards:Part of Delfino Farms, Edio turns out balanced wines such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Albariño, not to mention several blends. They also produce cider and have a bakeshop on-site.
• David Girard Vineyards:Located just outside of Placerville, this scenic winery is known for its reds, especially its Grenache, GSM, and Syrah. They offer stunning views from their hilltop patio and often have food trucks on weekends.
• Crystal Basin Cellars:This Camino winery produces everything from Cab Franc to Tempranillo, as well as some lesser-known wines. They have special events throughout the year, including summer barbecues, live music, and holiday parties.

El Dorado County Wine Country Homes for Sale

Wineries Near Fair Play & Somerset

Down in the Fair Play/Somerset area, there are dozens of great wineries to choose from, many of which host events held throughout the year. Their signature event is the Fair Play Harvest Wine Festival, held the first weekend of November.

• Shadow Ranch Vineyard:Just an hour from Sacramento in Fair Play, this rustic winery produces small-batch wines such as Cabernet, Grenache, and Syrah. They also offer live music and wood-fired pizza weekends through mid-October.
• Cielo Sulla Terra Estate Vineyards:This boutique winery produces a variety of biodynamic reds and whites, but it's also known for its flavored sparkling wines, such as peach mango, almond, and pomegranate. They also host live music and themed events, including granita weekends in the summer.
• Château d'Estienne:Known for its old-world wines, this European-style estate specializes in Portuguese-style wines, including Alvarinho, Verdelho, and Port. They offer tastings on their lovely patio overlooking the foothills and host events such as winery dinners and holiday celebrations.

The Best Wineries in Sacramento County

Sacramento County may be known for its many wine bars, but not many people know that wine is produced right here within the county itself! Most growing areas are located in the southern part of the county, east of Clarksburg and surrounding the areas of Elk Grove and Galt. The following are some spots to visit.

• Six Hands Winery:Surrounded by cherry orchards in Walnut Grove, this small boutique winery is appointment-only, or you can visit during one of their many seasonal events, which include spring picnics and fall open houses. They produce 11 varietals, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel.
• Scribner Bend Vineyards:This riverside winery produces a wide range of wines, including lesser-known varietals such as Fiano, Cinsault, and Nero D'Avola. They offer tastings on their lush, flower-swathed patio and have a seasonal pizza oven serving up Paesano's pies.
• Lucid Winery:Although they source grapes from surrounding areas, including El Dorado and San Joaquin counties, all wines are produced at Lucid's downtown Sacramento winery. Their wines are organic, natural, and vegan, and include Chardonnay, Rosé, and Zinfandel, among others. They host weekly events such as game nights, trivia, and cooking classes.
• Wolfe Heights:Located in the aptly named Vineyard region of southern Sacramento County, this picturesque winery sits on acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, complete with willow trees and a pond. They specialize in Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, and Petite Sirah, and they also produce their own olive oil.

Sacramento County Vineyard Living

Visit Sacramento Area Wineries This Fall

Whether you're a seasoned wine lover or just looking for a relaxing escape, you're sure to find the perfect winery in the greater Sacramento area. From rolling vineyards in the Sierra foothills to boutique urban wineries in the heart of midtown, there are dozens of spots to explore. There's no need to travel far to enjoy world-class wines - the Sacramento region has it all.