Wineries

Although some out-of-town people confuse Sonora with Sonoma near Napa Valley, the Mother Lode is home to award-winning wines that are highly acclaimed by wine writers and enthusiasts nationwide. The flavor is influenced by a climate similar to the Napa and Bordeaux regions with our long and warm summer days and cool nights.

Mother Lode vineyards are nestled in the peaceful surroundings of the Sierra Foothills. At several vineyards you can sip on wine as you take in the sweeping splendor of the view of the valleys below.

If you are looking for something to eat go to the Dining Guide with reviews and menus of local restaurants.

• Black Sheep Winery
  • 221 Main St.
  • Murphys, CA 95247
  • (209) 728-2157 Phone

Black Sheep Winery opened in 1984, featuring small releases of wine handcrafted from high quality grapes grown in Calaveras, and Amador Counties. Tasting Room located at 221 Main Street, Murphys, near Alchemy is Open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

• Bodega del Sur Winery
  • 457 S. Algiers St.
  • Murphys, CA 95247

Bodega del Sur is a family venture producing premium quality wines from the best quality grapes, mostly from Calaveras County. The tasting room features their wine and Cocuchas- large ceramic jars made exclusively in the remote Purepecha Indian village of Cocucho, Mexico.

• Brice Station Winery
  • 3353 E. Highway 4
  • Murphys, CA 95247 209-728-9893

Guided by sustainable agricultural methods, Brice Station is the highest vineyard at 3,300 ft. Visit the tasting room, the Quyle pottery shop, vineyards, and an assortment of sheep, geese, horses, and llamas. If you look around you will also discover several antique printing presses, as well as a blacksmith shop where Paul Quyle teaches one Saturday a month.

The tasting room is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. and by appointment (209) 728-9893. Quyle Kilns is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed Tuesday.

• Broll Mountain Vineyards
  • 106 Main St.
  • Murphys, CA 95247
  • (209) 728-9750

Broll Mountain Vineyards produces estate bottled Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from their Murphys vineyards. The tasting room is open 1 to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays and weekdays by appointment.

• Boitano Family Wines
  • Jones Street and Highway 4
  • Murphys, CA 95247
  • (209) 728-8236 (Phone & Fax)
  • (209) 286-1595 (Weekday Office)

Specializing in Italian varietals, Boitano offers Barbera, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Port, Trebbiano (Italian breakfast wine), Raspberry & Almond sparkling wines. The tasting room is open from noon to 5 p.m. on weekends.

• Brice Station
  • 3353 E. Highway 4
  • Murphys, CA 95247 (four miles east of Murphys)
  • (209) 728-9893 (Phone)
  • (209) 728-8805 (Fax)

Brice Station was a busy stage stop frequented by visitors traveling to the Calaveras Big Trees. One hundred years later Brice Station is home to a vineyard, tasting room and fifty-year-old pottery shop where travelers can still rest and be refreshed with a glass of award-winning wine. Open noon to 6 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, some Mondays and by appointment.

• Chatom Vineyard
  • 1969 Hwy. 4 Douglas Flat
  • Mailing: PO Box 2730
  • Murphys, CA 95247
  • (209) 736-6500 (Phone)

Located in the Esmeralda Valley in Calaveras County, the vineyard boasts 14 varietals of grapes planted on 65 acres including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah, Brunello Sangiovese and six Portuguese varietals. The Tasting Room open from 11am to 5pm.

• Chiarella Wines
  • 1211 S. Main St.
  • Angels Camp, 736-1193

Open noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Chiarella Wines is a family owned and operated winery nestled in the Sierra Foothills of Calaveras County, and features hand-crafted wines by Nathan and Carlyn Carella. Every bottle is a work of art.

• Domaine Becquet
  • 2173 Highway 12 E. (Highway 12 & Double Springs Road)
  • Valley Springs CA 95252
  • (209) 772-1303

Besides Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah and Sangiovese, Domaine Becquet produces olive oil and honey in the tradition of Provence.

• Frog's Tooth Winery
  • 380 Main St., Suite 5
  • Murphys, CA 95247
  • (209) 728-2700

Open 1-5 p.m. Friday 11-5 Saturday and Sunday. Specialties include Pinot Grigio, Fume Blanc, Meritage, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah and Grenache.

• French Hill Winery
  • 8032 S. Main St. (South Main & Highway 26)
  • Mokelumne Hill CA 95245
  • (209) 286-1800

French Hill is a boutique winery featuring Zinfandel, Barbera, Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, and Port.

• Irish Vineyards
  • 2849 Highway 4
  • Vallecito, CA, 95251
  • (209) 736-1299

Irish Vineyards is family owned and operated. Only small lots of the finest, most flavorful grapes are used, blended to perfection. The 1867 historical home adds to the ambiance and charm of the winery.

• Iron Rock Vineyards
  • 1154 Pennsylvania Gulch Road
  • Murphys, CA 95247
  • (209) 728-8514

The Bauer Family owns this 40 acres of prime vineyard land with premium vines, including 14 different varietals, making it one the most diverse vineyards in the area. Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and dry Rose' are available for tasting and purchase.

• Ironstone Vineyards
  • 1894 Six Mile Road
  • Murphys, CA 95247
  • (209) 728-1251

The Sierra Foothill's premier winery and entertainment complex offers complimentary tours and wine tasting. Tours feature an aging cavern, landscaped gardens and an amphitheatre. For more information visit Ironstone Vineyards in the destination guide.

• Laraine Winery
  • Tasting Room
  • PO Box 294
  • 3675 Six Mile Road
  • Vallecito, CA 95251
  • (209) 736-4766

The largest vineyards in Calaveras County, originally planted in 1989, the combination of climate and geography that the French call "terroir" has enabled them to produce outstanding vineyards of incredible quality and balance.

• Lavender Ridge Vineyard
  • 431 B Main St.
  • Murphys, CA 95247
  • (209) 728-2441

Lavender Ridge Vineyard specializes solely in Rhone varietal wines from Calaveras County and the Sierra Foothills. Also enjoy organic olive oil and lavender bouquets from the Lavender Ridge estate.

• Malvadino Vineyards
  • 457C Algiers St.
  • Murphys, CA 95247
  • (209) 728-9030

A family owned and operated winery specializing in small lots of premium wines from surrounding area vineyards.

• Milliaire Winery
  • 276 Main St.
  • Murphys, CA 95247
  • (209) 728-1658

Located in the heart of historic Murphys. A unique winery dedicated to a very limited production of premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.

• Mt Brow Winery
  • 10850 Mt Brow Rd.
  • Mailing: P O Box 220
  • Columbia, CA 95310
  • (209) 532-8491

Mt Brow Winery is a family owned and operated winery right here in Tuolumne County. Sangiovese, Merlot and Zinfandel varietals are grown there but other wines are available. The wonderful tasting room is on site. Enjoy free wine tasting or come out have a pleasant picnic with your family.

• Muir-Hanna Vineyards
  • 36 S. Washington
  • Sonora, CA 95370
  • (209) 532-WINE

Tasting room featuring wines from Muir-Hanna and photographs from the John Muir archives and staffers knowledgeable in both Muirana and oenology make this a hit with historians and wine fans alike! The Chardonnay is a full bodied wine. It is a very food friendly wine with a fruit-forward finish.

• Newsome-Harlow Wines
  • 403 Main St.
  • Murphys, CA 95247
  • (209) 728-9817

Newsome-Harlow is undeterred in our goal of blending science, experience and art, much like the best of wines.

• Stevenot Winery
  • 2690 San Domingo Road (Winery)
  • 458 Main St. (Store)
  • Murphys CA 95257
  • (209) 728-3436 (Phone)
  • (209) 728-0638 (Tasting room)

Exceptional Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, and the premium Gabriel wines are highly acclaimed by wine writers and enthusiasts nationwide. The tasting room at the winery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, while the downtown store, "Stevenot & Main," You can also purchase tickets here to Murphys Creek Theatre shows (link to theatre section)

• Twisted Oak Winery
  • Location: Red Hill Road at Highway 4
  • 4280 Red Hill Road
  • Mailing: P.O. Box 2385
  • Murphys, CA 95247
  • (209) 736-9080

Twisted Oak Winery is a vineyard with a wry sense of humor. You can sample their wines like Syrah, Tempranillo, and Viognier the the Wisteria House Tasting Room open Thursday thru Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Murphys. 350 Main, with a white picket fence. Picknickers welcome! Facilities available for small- to medium-sized events, see our events page for more information.

• Zucca Mountain Vineyards
  • 425 E. Main St.
  • Murphys CA 95257
  • (209) 728-9911
  • vinamodawinery@gmail e-mail

Take the time to visit Zucca's grotto-like cellar below a historic building and taste the winery's Barbera, Sangiovese, Syrah and other delicious wines. The family winery and vineyards are located near New Melones Lake, which produces cooling breezes for premium wine grapes. The tasting room is open from noon to 5 p.m. daily and by appointment.

These are just a few of many wineries in the area. Go here for the complete list in our yellow pages.