Why you should visit Placerville wineries in California
This blog covers the best Placerville wineries.
Placerville started as a mining camp during the California Gold Rush. Today this quaint town in El Dorado County offers a different currency: liquid gold. And by “liquid gold” I mean wine!
Placerville wineries produce a range of fantastic wines from big bold red wines to fruit-forward white wines. No matter your preference, you’ll definitely find something to enjoy.
This blog post covers 16 Placerville wineries. Four wineries on this list are located in downtown Placerville. Historic buildings from the 1800’s bring charm to Main Street, where cute cafes and nice restaurants line the street. You could easily spend an afternoon sipping your way through the four downtown Placerville tasting rooms on this list.
But maybe you’d like to get out of town, take a drive through the countryside, and end up at a winery? Eight Placerville wineries on this list are located just a short drive from town.
Some are large well-established wineries with beautiful outdoor patios and picturesque vineyard views. Others are small family-owned boutique wineries where you can speak to the winemaker directly.
Whether you’re looking for a Placerville winery that’s big, small, centrally located, or a bit off the beaten path, this list has you covered.
How to access Placerville wineries
Placerville is located in El Dorado County, halfway between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe.
The town is easily accessible by car. Unfortunately it’s not super accessible by plane because the local airport is small and doesn’t support commercial flights. So you will need a car in order to visit the Placerville wineries on this list.
If you already live in Central California, you’re in luck! You can easily drive into town.
The distance between Sacramento to Placerville is about 44 miles, so the drive should take you about 45 minutes by car. San Francisco is 129 miles away, so the drive will take about 2 hours and 15 minutes, depending on traffic. Reno, Nevada is 120 miles northeast of Placerville. The drive from Reno should take about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
If you live outside of California or Nevada then you’ll need to fly into a nearby airport, rent a car, and drive from the airport to Placerville.
The easiest airports for you to access will be Sacramento International Airport (SMF), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK), and Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO).
These international airports have numerous flights a day so it should be fairly easy to find a flight that’ll work for you.
The best Placerville wineries for a wine tasting
Tasting rooms a short drive from downtown Placerville
Sierra Vista Winery
In 2024 Sierra Vista Winery celebrated 50 years in business. That’s quite a feat!
Like any winery worth their salt they focus on ensuring optimal grape ripening and quality. They approach the winemaking process in an eco-friendly, sustainable fashion.
Sierra Vista Winery is a medium-sized boutique winery that produces a number of great wines. They work with grapes including Viognier, Picpoul Blanc, Roussanne, Chardonnay, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Zinfandel.
The tasting flight includes 6 pours for $15. They’ll waive the fee with the purchase of one bottle of wine. The Sierra Vista Winery tasting room is open Sunday through Wednesday from 11 AM to 5 PM. On Thursday they’re open from 11 AM to 6 PM. Friday and Saturday the tasting room is open from 11 AM to 7 PM. Food is available for purchase every Thursday through Sunday, so no outside food is allowed.
In addition to tastings, Sierra Vista Winery also offers live music events and food pairings at their estate nestled in picturesque El Dorado County. Their outdoor patio and garden is a great place to relax with a glass of wine in hand. And they’re dog friendly!
Holly’s Hill Vineyards
Holly’s Hill produces Rhône-style varietal wines in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Holly’s Hill Vineyards is a true family affair. Owners Tom and Holly Cooper fell head over heels for a bottle of Chateauneuf du Pape on their honeymoon. They eventually planted a vineyard. Years later their daughter Carrie studied winemaking and met her husband Josh Bendick, who’s also a winemaker.
Together the family produces Rhône varietal wines, red and white blends, and a dry rosé wine. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Counoise, Viognier, and Roussanne grape vines thrive in their vineyards.
Wine Spectator awarded Holly’s Hill high marks to two of their California Rhônes. WS awarded 92 points to the “Patriarche El Dorado 2017” and 87 points to the “Roussanne El Dorado 2018.”
Holly’s Hill winery is open for tasting everyday from 10 AM to 5 PM. In addition to tastings, the winery hosts live music events and special events with food crafted by the family. This is a great winery if you’re looking for friendly people, a beautiful view, and delicious wines.
Miraflores Winery
Miraflores Winery looks like a Tuscan retreat. And, much like Italians, these winery owners love pairing wine with delicious food.
Miraflores Winery regularly hosts food-focused events and chef-led cooking classes.
Their “Summer Pairings” events present a creative four-course lunch menu alongside their delicious wines. The Burmese-inspired lunch looked particularly good; the first course paired tea leaf salad with Miraflores Estate Muscat Canelli. Fun!
These summer lunches take place outdoors on a shady patio that overlooks their estate vineyards. They’ve got great wine, great food, and great views. What more could you want?
Miraflores Winery produces a range of award-winning wines from a variety of grapes such as Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Syrah, Zinfandel, Viognier, and Muscat Canelli.
Their Placerville tasting room is open every day from 11 AM to 5 PM.
The “Indoor Bar Tasting” costs $15 per person and does not require a reservation. Reservations are requested for the “Miraflores Classic Flight Tasting.” This option costs $20 per person and can be enjoyed in the barrel room or on the patio.
David Girard Vineyards
David Girard Vineyards produces Rhône-inspired wines in small, hand-crafted lots.
Rhône grape varietals including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Viognier, and Roussanne occupy most of the estate’s 36 acres.
You can taste these terroir-driven wines at the David Girard Vineyards tasting room outside Placerville. The “Select Tasting” costs $20 per person and includes five tastes. You can enjoy the Select Tasting at the tasting bar or on their patio outdoors.
The “Vintner Table Tasting” is $38 per person and includes a taste of six wines. This interactive tasting lasts about an hour and includes small bites served at a beautiful wood table.
The David Girard winery tasting room is open Friday through Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. They’re closed Monday through Thursday.
Here’s another fun fact: the winery has a podcast! Owner David Girard and his employees discuss wine and interview guests on their podcast “Somewhat About Wine.” The podcast is available on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Narrow Gate Vineyards
Narrow Gate Vineyards makes biodynamic wine. And when they say “biodynamic” they mean it. The entire 86-acre farm is certified Biodynamic® by the Demeter Association.
In case you’re unfamiliar, Demeter USA is the only certifier for Biodynamic farms and products in America. Their standards are extremely strict, so if a winery has undergone the measures required to earn certification, you know they’re the real deal.
One of the key tenets of biodynamic farming is a refusal to use chemical herbicides or pesticides on the farm. This results in wine that is better for you and for the environment.
Narrow Gate Vineyards grows a range of grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Viognier, Roussanne, Viognier, Vermentino, and Chardonnay.
The Narrow Gate Vineyards tasting room is open every Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM. On Sundays they’re open from 12-5 PM.
Picnic boards and boxes are available every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. These boards feature an assortment of cheese, charcuterie, and condiments that pair well with their wine. Walk-ins are welcome. However this is a small family-operated winery and it would be best to make a reservation so they can plan for your visit.
By the way, check out their cookbook The Kitchen in the Cellar. In the book co-owner Teena Hildebrand shares recipes and wine pairings she’s honed throughout the years.
Mais Fica Vineyards & Winery
The next winery on our list is a bit of a hidden gem. Mais Fica Winery is a small organically farmed family-owned winery.
Rhône varietals such as Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre thrive in their vineyards nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
The phrase “Mais Fica” means “more for me” in Portuguese. Owner Marty Blair’s grandmother used to say “mais fica!” if her grandkids didn’t finish the food she lovingly prepared. Marty and his partner Eileen apply this self-possessed attitude to their wines.
The Portuguese theme appears in their marketing as well. The colorful rooster on their wine label is both the national symbol of Portugal and their brand’s personal mascot.
Since their 2007 inception Mais Fica has racked up awards at various county fairs and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Unlike the other Sierra Foothills wineries on this list, Mais Fica Vineyards & Winery does not maintain a public tasting room. Instead, visitors are welcome to make an appointment to buy wine.
Nello Olivo Winery
Winemaker Nello Olivo has one goal: to make the “best Italian wines under the California sun.” Nello Olivo calls himself “The Grapefather,” which also happens to be the name of his ever popular red blend.
Nello Olivo Winery works with 11 varieties of estate-grown grapes. Italian grape varietals such as Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Arneis, and Fiano appear alongside well known grapes such as Merlot, Barbera, and Petite Sirah.
The winery also employs grape varietals that are Californian through and through. For example, Nello Olivo Winery works with the Sinfonia grape. Developed in 1948 by Dr. Harold Olmo of UC Davis, this cross between Muscat of Alexandria and Grenache Gris carries both floral aromas and bright citrus notes.
Nello Olivo Winery has two tasting rooms, each with a very different vibe.
The Placerville tasting room occupies the wine cellar of the stately Sequoia Mansion, a historic house built in the mid-1800’s. This Placerville tasting room is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. It’s closed Monday through Thursday.
Their welcoming tasting room in Camino, CA resembles a roadside bar. It’s open seven days a week and hosts regular live music events. This location features a large patio, which they share with sister company Hwy 50 Brewery.
Starfield Vineyards & Winery
Starfield Vineyards & Winery is named after the concept of “star fields.” Star fields are “unique sites where fruit develops the optimal balance of aroma, flavor and texture.”
The owners of Starfield Winery believe their vineyards fit that definition. The Sierra Foothills estate sits at 2,400 feet elevation and enjoys a balance of warm days and cool nights.
Syrah, Grenache, Marsanne, Roussanne, Mourvedre, and Viognier vines thrive in this Mediterranean-like climate. The winery also purchases grapes from the Coombsville and Stag’s Leap areas near Napa.
Starfield Vineyards & Winery offers a range of different experiences for their guests to enjoy.
The regular wine tasting costs $15-20 per person and lasts roughly an hour. Reservations are encouraged on the weekends since walk-ins are limited.
Lunch on the patio is offered Friday through Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM (through the end of October). If a picnic lunch is more your style, they’re available every Thursday through Sunday. The patio welcomes walk-ins but the picnic lunch must be pre ordered several days in advance.
You can enjoy your picnic lunch in the amphitheater. The estate’s amphitheater and nature trails are situated within 67 acres of hillside vineyards. Keep in mind that it’ll cost $10 per car (or a purchase of two bottles of wine) to access the Starfield Vineyard Nature Trails if you are not a wine club member.
Fenton Herriott Vineyards
Winemaker Guy Herriott believes “a winemaker needs to be an artist as well as a scientist to be able to create a well balanced, yet complex wine.”
His winery Fenton Herriott Vineyards produces high quality wines in small lots.
Their red wines range from Zinfandel, Barbera, Sangiovese, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, to Petite Sirah. They make just two white wines: a Chardonnay and a Gewürztraminer.
Fenton Herriott Vineyards is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills at the gateway to Apple Hill. Their Placerville tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Wines by the glass, flight, or bottle are available to enjoy beneath their covered pavilion. There’s also a bocce ball court for those who have good hand-eye coordination.
Madroña Vineyards
Madroña Vineyards crafts delicious wines from a wide range of Rhône and Bordeaux varietals.
The winery owns one vineyard in the heart of Apple Hill and two vineyards in Pleasant Valley. These vineyards enjoy mild temperatures, well-drained soil, and elevation (over 3,000 feet). In short, they provide the ideal environment for over two dozen grape varietals to thrive.
Their signature wines include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, and Zinfandel grapes.
The Madroña Vineyards tasting room is open every day from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Tastings cost $15 per person and include a taste of six wines. If you buy a bottle of wine they’ll discount your tasting by $5. Reservations are not required.
By the way, their tasting room address is listed two different ways:
- 2560 High Hill Rd, Placerville, CA 95667
- 2560 High Hill Rd, Camino, CA 95709
Both of these addresses appear as the same pin within Google maps. So you should be able to reach their tasting room easily.
Lava Cap Winery
Lava Cap Winery is perched high in the Sierra Nevada foothills at 2700 feet.
They source grapes from high elevation vineyards that sit above the valley and coastal fog belt. The vineyards boast rich volcanic soil that impacts Lava Cap’s vibrant aromatic wines.
Red wines such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grenache are rich expressions of the local terroir. Their white wines (Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Muscat, etc.) also express the local El Dorado AVA.
The Lava Cap Winery tasting room is open every day from 10 AM to 5 PM. Wine tastings cost $15 per person. A bottle purchase waives the tasting fee.
Reservations are not required so walk-ins are welcome. You can also bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds.
Boeger Winery
Boeger Winery is among the largest and oldest Placerville wineries.
During the 1849 Gold Rush the Fossati-Lombardo family owned this land. Over the years they grew nuts and fruit and established a winery and distillery. They even planted an early version of Zinfandel, which still exists today!
In 1972 the Boeger family bought this land and thus Boeger Winery was born.
Owner-winemaker Greg Boeger experimented with dozens of unusual grape varietals including Refosco, Charbono, and Aglianico (among others).
The Boeger Winery tasting room is open every day from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Guests can enjoy a standing wine tasting inside the tasting room or a seated wine tasting in the cellar. Standing wine tasting cost $15 per person. Seated wine tastings cost $25 per person. Both experiences last about 60 minutes and include a taste of six wines.
Tasting rooms in downtown Placerville, CA
Cappelli Wine
Owner Marco Cappelli studied at UC Davis and trained under Napa Valley heavyweights.
Years later he opened Cappelli Wine, which focuses on introducing customers to delicious well-priced wines.
The current menu includes a 2023 Sangiovese made from grapes grown in a tiny vineyard in Gold Hill. One of the tasting notes is wild strawberries. Another wine with strawberry notes is a 2023 Pinot Noir. Pinot’s uncommon to the area but this wine proves it can work.
The Cappelli Wine tasting room is located on Main Street in the historic district of downtown Placerville. Walk-ins are welcome and reservations are not required.
The tasting flight costs $11 and includes a 1.5 ounce pour of six to eight wines. You can also order a glass of wine or a Hibiscus Mimosa ($6-9 per glass/flute).
Marcelais Tasting Room
Marcelais is a family-owned winery in Placerville. In 1983 they planted their first grapes and, throughout the years, nurtured these vines and raised their children. Today, Marcelais remains a family affair.
The bulk of their wines are Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.
In June 2024 Marcelais opened a tasting room in downtown Placerville. The Marcelais tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday from 12-6 PM. They’re closed Monday through Wednesday. Happy hour is every Friday from 3-6 PM and occasionally features half-priced tastings.
Customers can enjoy a tasting indoors at the polished wood bar. A glass of wine outdoors in the courtyard would also be lovely.
1850 Wine Cellars
In 1850 California was admitted to the Union as a free state. 1850 Wine Cellars is named for that momentous year.
This winery sources grapes such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Malbec, Petite Sirah, and Merlot from vineyards throughout El Dorado County, Amador County, and Fair Play.
The 1850 Wine Cellars tasting room occupies a cute yellow house on Carson Court. The tasting room is open Friday and Saturday from 12-6 PM. On Sundays they’re open from 11 AM to 5 PM. They’re closed Monday through Thursday.
Check out their Summer Concert Series that features live music and a dinner menu designed by Chef Lisa Scott.
Toogood Cellars
Among all the Placerville wineries we covered above, this winery’s for the diehard port lovers.
Toogood Cellars offers “build your own” wine and port flights at their Main Street Placerville tasting room.
The tasting room has over 12 wines and 14 port wines to choose from. There’s even a port and chocolate flight!
Toogood Cellars crafts port wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, Tannat, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Orange Muscat, and Gewürztraminer grapes.
Their Main Street Placerville tasting room is open Thursday through Monday from 1-8 PM. The Monday Night Happy Hour from 5-8 PM offers half-priced glasses of wine.
Toogood Cellars also hosts fun seasonal specials like a “Wine, Port & Gourmet Popcorn Pairing” every day during October. Port lovers rejoice!
Other wine regions to explore
California State wine towns to visit
We hope this list of the best Placerville wineries has inspired your next adventure! Here are some more California wine country destinations worth a look.
Lincoln, California combines high-quality wine with down-to-earth vibes. Italian settlers of the 1800’s loved this California wine growing region for its bright sunny days and cool windy nights. This rural city suburb is a 35 minute drive from the center of Sacramento. It’s the perfect place for a quick day trip. Our list of the best wineries in Lincoln CA showcases several wineries on the Placer County Wine Trail.
Walnut Creek, California is conveniently located near San Francisco and Sacramento. This tiny town at the base of Mount Diablo is less well known than its famous California counterparts. But our list of the best wineries Walnut Creek has to offer tells you exactly where to look for a great glass of wine.
Brentwood, California is located within easy driving distance of Sacramento and San Francisco. Brentwood is about ninety minutes by car from either city. Our blog post covers four of the best wineries Brentwood offers, from a sustainability-focused winery to a winery run by a fourth-generation farmer.
Nevada City, California is a former Gold Rush town full of Victorian-era homes and tree lined streets. Today this tiny town deals in wine, not gold. These 6 Nevada City and Grass Valley wineries combine history, charm, and lots of wine. It’s the perfect weekend getaway. Nevada City and the neighboring town of Grass Valley are roughly 75 minutes by car from Sacramento.
Morgan Hill, California is roughly 2 hours and 20 minutes from Sacramento. It’s a family-oriented town that serves great wine alongside great views. These five wonderful Morgan Hill wineries are a good place to start planning your trip.
Wine destinations in other states
Placerville started as a mining camp during the California Gold Rush. Jerome, Arizona also began as a mining town. Today it’s a quirky tourist town with a fun wine scene. The best Jerome, Arizona wineries have colorful backstories. Like the winery founded by a former rock star…
Cottonwood, Arizona is a super short drive from Jerome (just 15 minutes). If you’re already going to Jerome you may as well visit historic Old Town Cottonwood too! We’ve compiled a list of the best Cottonwood wineries for those who’d like to sample local wines.
