Clarksburg Wine Country & The Old Sugar Mill
www.clarksburgwinecountry.com
FB
Clarksburg Wine Growers & Vintners Association
Phone: (916) 477-1234
Email: info@clarksburgwinecountry.com
Hours:
Most tasting rooms 11AM- 5PM hours vary
Clarksburg wine country located just 20 minutes from Downtown Sacramento has been an established AVA since 1984. The land itself has been farmed long before then, from wineries such at Bogle family which started in the 1850's, and the Heringer family since 1868.
How is it that a wine growing region so near the devilishly hot Sacramento County is able to produce beautifully rich and flavorful wines? Two words...Sacramento Delta!
Clarksburg AVA defined as a maritime climate, is heavily influenced by the Sacramento Delta River; Summer days can be quite warm in this wine growing region, but cool breezes from the San Francisco Bay roll off and hug the Sacramento River Delta creating the perfect growing environment as the river breeze cools the wineries while preserving the acidity in the ripening fruit.
Popular Grape Varieties:
Chenin Blanc & Petite Sirah are said to be the most terroir expressive.
Other popular varieties include: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
www.clarksburgwinecountry.com
FB
Clarksburg Wine Growers & Vintners Association
Phone: (916) 477-1234
Email: info@clarksburgwinecountry.com
Hours:
Most tasting rooms 11AM- 5PM hours vary
Clarksburg wine country located just 20 minutes from Downtown Sacramento has been an established AVA since 1984. The land itself has been farmed long before then, from wineries such at Bogle family which started in the 1850's, and the Heringer family since 1868.
How is it that a wine growing region so near the devilishly hot Sacramento County is able to produce beautifully rich and flavorful wines? Two words...Sacramento Delta!
Clarksburg AVA defined as a maritime climate, is heavily influenced by the Sacramento Delta River; Summer days can be quite warm in this wine growing region, but cool breezes from the San Francisco Bay roll off and hug the Sacramento River Delta creating the perfect growing environment as the river breeze cools the wineries while preserving the acidity in the ripening fruit.
Popular Grape Varieties:
Chenin Blanc & Petite Sirah are said to be the most terroir expressive.
Other popular varieties include: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
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| More details about Clarksburg Wine Country www.clarksburgwinecountry.com/cwgva/cwgva.html |
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| Full PDF view of Clarksburg Wine Country Map & Wineries |
As I drove along the Sacramento River the vineyards seemed to go on forever, it's a blissful sight indeed. Clarksburg wine country (Sacramento) is perfect for a day trip and many of the winery tastings start at only $5usd.
Tips For Wine Touring:
Where To Go: Most tourist centers or wineries will have pamphlets and free maps of their wine country, pick one up at the first winery you visit.
Start With Something Familiar: The first time I tasted a Clarksburg wine (Bogle Chardonnay) was while I was residing in Taiwan; then while in Sacramento, by word of mouth I heard about the Old Sugar Mill, from there my Clarksburg wine tasting trip began.
Saving On Tastings: Groupon www.groupon.com/local/sacramento/wine-tasting is a popular site to look on for discounts on tours and group tastings.
If you are traveling as a couple, or are a party with even numbers you can split your tastings; many wineries will have a list of their popular wines to choose from, and another list for their reserve/higher quality wines set at a different price, bring a friend and try them both.
Some wine flight lists can be quite vast, for example, Heringer Estates had 21 wines to choose from in 2015 and a tasting flight is usually of 5 to 6 wines at a time, split/shareing your flights is a great way to try more from the list.
oldsugarmill.com
FB wedding & event page
35265 Willow Ave, Clarksburg, California 95612
Phone: (916) 744-1615
Hours:
Monday-Sunday 11AM–5PM
Tasting Fee: $5usd per person waived with purchase
Picnic Prospects: A big picnicking area on site with green grass to sit on, there are also a number of tables with umbrellas on site.
No outside alcoholic beverages, ice chests/coolers, tents, folding tables are allowed.
When I first heard that the Old Sugar Mill had changed into a wine making facility; which includes eleven different wineries to taste wines at....I couldn't believe it!
When I was in high school, it was said that the Old Sugar Mill was infamously haunted by the supposed children that use to work in the sugar mill long ago. Many students would venture to the eerie abandoned sugar mill, and be dared by others to stay the night inside! Having cold feet was usual!
Ghost stories are fun, but I fancy the Old Sugar Mill being a place that hosts wineries more.
Some of the tasting rooms aren't open everyday, check the link below for winery room hours
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| Wine tasting rooms to choose from inside |
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| The barrel room |
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| The barrel room |
There are wine tasting rooms on the left and the right of the corridor.
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| Picnic Area |
Rendez-vous Winery
www.rendez-vouswinery.com
www.rendez-vouswinery.com
Tasting room located in the Old Sugar Mill
Phone: (916) 744-1991
Hours:
Monday-Sunday 11AM-5PM
Fruit forward wines, Chenin blanc, and a few interesting Spanish and Italian varieties being done here.
About: "Larry Dizmang, the current winemaker/co-founder, established Folie`a Deux Winery in St Helena in 1981. He was his own winemaker and in 1985 won the Sweepstakes at the California State Fair for his 1983 Chardonnay. He has won multiple gold medals for both his white and red wines. For three years, in a row, in the early ‘90s, the Wine Spectator listed his Chenin Blanc among the top three along with Pine Ridge.
In 1995 He sold the winery which was then producing 20,000 cases per year and went on to other endeavors. He is now returning to his passion for wine making with his partner Karan by embarking on Rendez-vous Winery in Clarksburg at the Old Sugar Mill." ~Rendez-vous
Atmosphere: A large tasting room with plenty of room at the tasting bar and many tables to sit and enjoy a glass at. Tall ceilings, brick walls, a deli, and wall full of goodies such as special made jams, olive oils and vinegar will keep one busy tasting more that just wine.
Service: The server was friendly, engaging about what I was smelling in the glass, and attentive even though she was the only one working the room when I stopped by for a visit.
Tasting Tools: Ok engraved glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Good lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room or their website
Cost: $5 for six wines-waived with bottle purchase
Service: The server was friendly, engaging about what I was smelling in the glass, and attentive even though she was the only one working the room when I stopped by for a visit.
Tasting Tools: Ok engraved glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Good lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room or their website
Cost: $5 for six wines-waived with bottle purchase
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| Lots of places to sit in this tasting room to take time to enjoy some wine and cheese. |
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| This place also sells unique jams, vinegar, and olive oil. |
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| There's a tiny deli inside this tasting room if you get hungry. |
Clarksburg Wine Company
Tasting room located in the Old Sugar Mill
Phone: (916) 744-1345
Hours:
Monday-Sunday 11AM-5PM
About: "Established in 2010, the Clarksburg Wine Company is located in the historic Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg, California. We are focused on producing a range of full-bodied red and aromatic white varietals that bring out the best of the characteristics that distinguish our local winegrowing region. Our region is best known for growing arguably the best Chenin Blanc, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Franc grapes in all of California." ~Clarksburgwineco
Atmosphere: A beautiful brick tasting room that enhances the historic features of the original Old Sugar Mill building. There's a large tasting bar and a few areas to sit throughout the tasting room. There are also many unique wine gifts available here.
Service: The server was wonderful and informative, she took the extra time to show what Clarksburg does best and made sure I tried more than what was just a regular flight.
Tasting Tools: Good engraved glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Good lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room or their website
Cost: $5 for six wines-waived with bottle purchase, you are allowed to share your tastings.
Service: The server was wonderful and informative, she took the extra time to show what Clarksburg does best and made sure I tried more than what was just a regular flight.
Tasting Tools: Good engraved glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Good lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room or their website
Cost: $5 for six wines-waived with bottle purchase, you are allowed to share your tastings.
Heringer Estates Family Vineyards & Winery
Tasting room located in the Old Sugar Mill
Phone: (916) 744-1919
Hours:
Wednesday-Monday 11AM-5PM
Hand-crafted wines from a family that has been farming in the Clarksburg area since 1868.
Atmosphere: The small, wooden tasting bar gives way to the back drop of their wines maturing in oak barrels.
Service: The servers are friendly and pretension-free, if you are lucky a family member of the winery may be doing the tastings and will be able to give you a better idea as to why the Clarksburg AVA is such a unique one.
Tasting Tools: Ok engraved glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Ok lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room or their website
Cost: $5 for six wines-waived with bottle purchase, shared tastings ok.
Atmosphere: The small, wooden tasting bar gives way to the back drop of their wines maturing in oak barrels.
Service: The servers are friendly and pretension-free, if you are lucky a family member of the winery may be doing the tastings and will be able to give you a better idea as to why the Clarksburg AVA is such a unique one.
Tasting Tools: Ok engraved glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Ok lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room or their website
Cost: $5 for six wines-waived with bottle purchase, shared tastings ok.
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| 2nd time around I tried something new! and wasn't disappointed. |
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| Love the detail on Heringer's bottles |
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| Ecocask, because one bottles may not be enough =) |
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| 2012 Nebbiolo Clarksburg California |
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| 2011 Petite Sirah Clarksburg, California |
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| 2014 Moscato Clarksburg, California |
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| 2009 Late Harvest Chardonnay |
Merlo Family Estate Vineyards
Tasting room located in the Old Sugar Mill
Phone: (530) 224-1537
Hours:
Wednesday-Sunday 11AM-5PM
The Merlo Family Vineyards estate is actually not located in Clarksburg, but conveniently the tasting room is!
Nestled away in the inter-coastal mountains of Southern Trinity County lies 45 acres of blocks of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon planted at the elevation of 1,250 feet. The philosophy of the winery...the wine must embody the expression of the land. The end result? Complex and layered wines expressive of their terrior.
After tasting their Syrah rosé I was hooked! Maybe I was in awe of trying a wine from a region I have never ventured to try before, maybe it was the silky texture, or the perfect balance, whatever it was...I was happy and thirsty for more.
Atmosphere: An inviting tasting room with a large tasting bar, the rows of oak barrels give charter to the place.
Service: The server I had was informative and had an upbeat attitude which helped lighten up the mood and tasting experience.
Tasting Tools: Small engraved glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Ok lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room or their website
Cost: $5 for six wines-waived with bottle purchase
Nestled away in the inter-coastal mountains of Southern Trinity County lies 45 acres of blocks of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon planted at the elevation of 1,250 feet. The philosophy of the winery...the wine must embody the expression of the land. The end result? Complex and layered wines expressive of their terrior.
After tasting their Syrah rosé I was hooked! Maybe I was in awe of trying a wine from a region I have never ventured to try before, maybe it was the silky texture, or the perfect balance, whatever it was...I was happy and thirsty for more.
Atmosphere: An inviting tasting room with a large tasting bar, the rows of oak barrels give charter to the place.
Service: The server I had was informative and had an upbeat attitude which helped lighten up the mood and tasting experience.
Tasting Tools: Small engraved glasses. Spit buckets handy. Water nearby. No crackers. Ok lighting.
Wine Availability: Sold at the tasting room or their website
Cost: $5 for six wines-waived with bottle purchase
The Wino Abroad will be back in California wine country for the 2016 harvest and will be updating and tasting even more of what Clarksburg wine country has to offer. Cheers!
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