El Dorado Wine

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This is Gold Rush country...home of the Mother Lode! But these days, this storied region is cashing in on a new crop. This appellation seems to be the new promised land for aspiring California wine makers. The fortunes of this unique AVA are dictated by its elevation, with allowable vineyard land situated between 1,200-3,500 feet. Vineyards above 2,000-feet, resting on high-acid, magma-based soils, enjoy four distinct seasons. Rising above the fog line, El Dorado experiences eastern breezes from the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which force hot daytime air into the valley below. Land remains affordable and provides all of the attributes for successful grape cultivation. By far the most planted grape in this region is Zinfandel, however, the more profitable Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are both gaining ground, and the wineries that call this appellation home are now experimenting with classic Rhone varietals as well. – Description from Appellation America (view original content)

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Popular wines made in El Dorado under $20

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Varietals Produced in El Dorado View all

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    “King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...

  • Merlot

    The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...

  • Syrah

    The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...

  • Chardonnay

    British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

  • Palomino

    History of the grape: Palomino is split into three types: Palomino Fino, Palomino de Jerez and Palomino Basto. All of...

  • Zinfandel

    Parentage of the grape: Crljenak to Austria to America. In the 1970s, claims surfaced that the Italian Primitivo is l...

Popular Wineries in El Dorado View all

  • Perry Creek Vineyards

    The winery's 40 acres of premium vineyards are located in Fair Play Appellation. Decomposed grani...

  • Shadow Ranch

    In the Heart of El Dorado’s Fair Play Region nestled in the Sierra Foothills is the Shadow ...

  • Givich Vineyards

    Making wines for the enjoyment of others has been both a science and a craft at Givich Vineyards ...

  • Procissi Cellar

    Thank you for taking the time to visit Procissi Cellars. We would like to introduce you, if you h...

  • Madrona Vineyards

    Our estate wines come from some of the highest vineyards in El Dorado, with awesome views of the ...

  • Miraflores Winery

    Nestled in a quiet canyon in the mountainous Sierra Foothills stand the breathtaking vineyards of...

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El Dorado on Snooth

  • Loken Viognier 2012

    Snoothrank:

    Very fragrant, floral and pretty with some green herbs and funk. Good weight on the palate. Nice, pretty flavor profile. 87 pts. Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Loken Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

    Snoothrank:

    Red berry nose with sweet oak vanilla. Blackberry, currant flavors. Tight tannin and acid and is a tad green. Needs time in bottle. 86 pts. Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Pahrump Valley Winery Merlot 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Nice oak use. Dusty red cherry flavors and light oak. 85 pts. Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Easton Zinfandel Amador County 2011

    Snoothrank:

    A well balanced wine. Has a big nose of blackberry and sweet candy, and hints of spice. More spicy ripe fruit on the palate, dominantly tastes of blackberry but also has notes of dried fruit/rasins/fig - all well balanced by acid. Definitely has distinct vanilla notes; presumably from the oak. Good acid and some ripe tannin. Read More

    Wine review by JenniferT


  • Montevina Zinfandel 2010

    Snoothrank:

    This wine has spice, plum and cinnamon but in moderate proportions. This is not a big style zin. It is enjoyable but not as rich as the 2008. My rating -- 85 Read More

    Wine review by Zuiko


  • Easton Zinfandel California Shenandoah Valley Estate Bottled 2010

    Snoothrank:

    Wooly and a bit wild on the nose with bright aromas of blueberry and blackberry fruit. Bright and juicy in the mouth with a super smooth, refined mouthfeel that sees polished tannins floating under great wild blackberry and boysenberry fruit. The acidity here is juicy and lends an almost lime fruit quality to the palate. 91 points Read More

    Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz


  • Easton Zinfandel Amador County 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Nice and precise on the nose, with slightly herbal, chaparral brush and edgy, wild berry fruit aromas. In the mouth there are lovely herbal shadings to the core of dark cherry fruit. This is smooth and supple, with nice soft tannins and integrated acidity, and while it does turn just a little jammy on the finish, its a very happy wine. 90 points Read More

    Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz


  • My friends moved recently to Phoenix, so on my first visit there, we ventured ... last two were sourced from El Dorado County, CA.  I bought one of each Syrah and Temp.  Very nice.  This room was also tasting wines from Freitas Vineyard.  We tried the:2010 Malvasia Bianca2010 Sangiorose2008 Ray's Red2008 Petite SirahAll in all a fun day of tas... Read More

    Forum post in the topic Arizona Wineries Day


  • Dionysian Cellars Tempranillo 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Nose of braised cherries and cigar box, pretty and lush. Flavors follow the aromas along with leather and spicy, earthy notes. Really tasty. Good balance and structure with great flavors!92 pts.10/31/12 Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Dionysian Cellars Syrah 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Aromas of dark cherry, licorice and black currant. Pretty and dense on the palate. Flavors of dark cherry, cassis and licorice with cracked pepper. Great structure and texture. Very nice.91 pts.10/31/12 Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


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