< 1 hour from Sacramento
El Dorado
High-elevation Sierra foothill vineyards producing wines of remarkable elegance — cool mountain influence meets California sunshine.
Starting at $249 / person.
Where Altitude Changes Everything
El Dorado County is Northern California's best kept secret wine region — and one of its most beautiful. Perched at approximately 2000 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills, El Dorado's vineyards benefit from dramatic temperature swings that produce wines of genuine elegance and complexity.
The region's two main wine areas — Fair Play and Placerville — each have distinct characters. Fair Play's higher elevations and granitic soils produce refined, cool-climate expressions of Syrah, Grenache, and Tempranillo that surprise even seasoned wine lovers. Placerville's proximity to the American River adds a fertile richness to its fruit and Rhône focused varietals.
El Dorado is a true discovery region — where passionate small producers make exceptional wines that are seldom found outside of California. Our guides have spent countless hours finding the best of them, so your visit will feel genuinely exclusive. Centered around where gold was first discovered, this tour has a very historical focus from where California really began.
The Scenic Route to Extraordinary Wine
The drive to El Dorado is part of the experience. As you climb into the Sierra foothills, Gold Rush-era towns like Coloma and Placerville line the route — each with history, charm, and excellent food. The mountain air, the oak-studded hillsides, and the sweeping views make every winery arrival feel like a genuine reward.
This is where it all began — the gold that unlocked the wealth of California. Today however, there is a new treasure in the hills for you to discover. In this unique wine region that is steeped in history, you will be in for more than just a fantastic glass or two. It is a journey through time to the roots of California's wine country.
El Dorado's Mountain Magic
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