Amador County’s Liquid Gold: Vines, Mines, and California’s Hidden Wine Gem
100 miles east of Napa Valley another wine region reigns, rich in history, its old vines its crown jewels. Our adventure begins in Amador County a region that stakes its claim as California’s first wine trail. Fueled by fortune seekers its gold rush ancestors helped create the Amador county wine region we know today. Those Gold Rush era vines produce today’s unique and distinct wines.
Sip with Monique Soltani in this latest episode as she takes us to Amador County, a region where the rugged history of the Gold Rush meets the refined world of modern winemaking. From deep underground mines to high-elevation vineyards, this episode explores why Amador is truly California’s “hidden gem.”
In this episode:
🍇 Vines of the Mother Lode: We visit Sobon Estate and Andis Wines, home to 100-year-old Zinfandel vines—the “crown jewels” of the region. Originally planted by immigrants who realized the soil was a greater treasure than the gold, these vines are still thriving today.
🦅 Wildlife & Sustainability: Sustainability in action! At Andis Wines, we meet the team from Tri County Wildlife Care to see how birds of prey serve as natural pest control, keeping the ecosystem in balance.
🛤️ History in Motion: Monique hops on Rail Explorers USA for a pedal-powered trip on the historic Amador Central Railroad and goes a mile deep into the Kennedy Gold Mine, one of the deepest in North America.
💎 The Village of Volcano: We explore the tiny town of Volcano, home to the state’s oldest general store and the breathtaking Black Chasm Cavern, featuring rare “helictite” crystals found in only 5% of the world’s caves. 🍴 The Watercooler Moment: A mandatory stop at Taste Restaurant and Wine Bar for their signature Mushroom Cigars. Chef Micah Malcolm shares his 19-year secret: “Use more salt and more butter.”
🥂 Wine with a Mission: We wrap up with Jill Osur of Teneral Cellars, a winery that has donated over $300,000 to empower women and spark important conversations with every bottle. Amador Takeaways: If you’re a red wine lover, Amador is your playground. Famous for Zinfandel, but don’t leave without trying a Barbera or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. As Holger Hornisch says: “Amador is just so approachable.”
Final Thought: If you’re toasting tonight, remember the old miner rule: look ’em in the eye!
