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Community Corner

Uncorking Fall Fun on Apple Hill

Amid changing colors, homemade pie and rural ambience, visitors might be surprised to find a thriving wine country.

What goes best with fresh apple cider, shiny orange pumpkins and country hayrides?

If you’re headed for Apple Hill, it’s probably a bottle of local wine.

Nestled between family-owned ranches and rolling foothills just a few miles east of Placerville, the area is more widely known for apple orchards and roadside produce stands that attract crowds every fall. But it's also home to a number of wineries.

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What makes wine tasting in Apple Hill so unique?

More approachable than Napa, where swanky wine estates can charge $25 for tastings, Apple Hill wineries are congenial, almost pastoral places where it’s not unusual to see local winemakers riding a tractor through the vineyards.  Wine servers happily dispense knowledge about different grapes and varietals, educating tasters on the difference, for example, between Merlot and Barbera. 

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“It doesn’t matter where in the region you go, it’s about learning about wines and asking questions,” said Paul Bush, owner of Madroña Vineyards.

And most of the area’s best wines—dominated heavily by zinfandel, with a smattering of random reds and dry whites—are at least 20 percent cheaper than their Napa competitors.

Elk Grove Patch has planned a perfect autumn tour of Apple Hill’s wineries for you.  If wine isn’t your thing, pop into Jack Russell Brewing Company to whet your whistle. Along the way, enjoy the stunning views of vineyards turning vibrant shades of gold and burnt orange. Here's to fall!

Madroña Vineyards

(530) 644-5948 – 2560 High Hill Road - www.madronavineyards.com

One of the oldest wineries in Apple Hill, Madroña has a rustic charm that feels more mountain lodge than cushy estate.  No wonder—at nearly three thousand feet, Madroña is perched at one of the highest altitudes among California wineries.  Any of the three zinfandels boast a clean balance of acidity and mature fruit flavors, but the 2008 Malbec and 2010 dry Riesling are standouts. 

Boeger Winery

(530) 622-8094 – 1709 Carson Road - www.boegerwinery.com

A little history is bottled with every Boeger wine.  The ranch dates back to the Gold Rush when it was a homestead and the winemakers use many of the original buildings.  Many of the wines play off that history, like the winery’s award-winning Hangtown Red.  Try the 2008 Tempranillo or the 2008 Petite Sirah, both silver medal winners at the 2011 San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Lava Cap Winery

(530) 2221 Fruitridge Road – www.lavacap.com

The terroir and the view are two reasons to visit Lava Cap.  A third is the wine selection—make sure to try the nicely balanced 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve.  The winemakers like to boast that Lava Cap’s grapes are grown in volcanic soil on gently sloping hills that improve drainage and enrich the produce.  From the tasting room, gaze out over the vineyards for a memorable view. 

Alternate stop: Jack Russell Brewing Company

(530) 647-9420 - 2380 Larsen Drive - www.jackrussellbrewing.com

We get it: too much wine and everything starts tasting like Two Buck Chuck.  If that’s the case, stop by this brewery in the middle of an apple orchard for an English-style ale.  There’s a wide front yard where barbeques happen on the weekend.  Try the English Amber Ale—also known as the Best Bitter.  And if you’re still hankering after the grape, there’s a new wine cave that just opened this fall.

For more information about Apple Hill wineries and Apple Hill itself, check out www.applehillwineries.com and www.applehill.com.

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