Amid vineyards that were planted in the gold rush era, relegated to producing sacramental wine for the local church during Prohibition, and then restored in the 1970s, this historic winery pours a mind-boggling number of varietals, but the flagship wine is Barbera. The place was first settled by an Italian in 1872, and the rugged homestead he built looks straight out of Tuscany.


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1. Lava Cap Winery

1.77 MILES

A family of oenophile-geologists picked this spot for its volcanic soil, which grows very fine wine grapes. Free tastings, though sips from their limited…

2. Hangtown's Gold Bug Park & Mine

1.97 MILES

About 1 mile north of town via Bedford Ave, this historical park stands on the site of four mining claims that yielded gold from 1849 to 1888. You can…

3. El Dorado County Historical Museum

4.16 MILES

On the El Dorado County Fairgrounds west of downtown (exit north on Placerville Dr from Hwy 50), is this complex of restored buildings, mining equipment…

6. Deaver Vineyards

14.04 MILES

A true family affair going back 150 years, where nearly everyone pouring has the last name on the bottles.

7. Renwood Winery

14.17 MILES

The highly commercial Renwood Winery crafts outstanding Zinfandel, which you can taste in a flight of five wines, optionally paired with 'culinary small…

8. Sobon Estate

14.6 MILES

Founded in 1977, this is an environmentally conscious family-run estate.