Behind the Cellar Door

Well, folks, it's official. Lodi's Wine & Chocolate Weekend has been one-up'd. 

While I will always love W&C and everything it stands for (hometown pride, bedazzled shirts and all), I have officially fallen even more in love with Amador County wine and its amazing event, Behind the Cellar Door. 

First thing's first...outfit!

That's us girls!

A few of us gals (that's us and here's what I wore) - and one very patient designated driver - embarked on our journey up the foothills to Amador County and had fun day filled with a ton of really nice wine and even more delicious food.  

How do I love thee, BTCD? Let me count the ways:

1) The Crowds (or lack thereof). Forget the idea of being crammed into a tiny tasting room trying to fight your way up to the bar for a taste. This event is not nearly as crowded as some others. Everywhere we went there were a decent amount of people, enough to give a sense of vibrancy and energy to the event - but not Vegas nightclub-esqe crowds to contend with, thank goodness.

2) The Wine. Even though this should be the focus of wine events, often it gets buried under all the other hoopla. Not here. It is very rare to find bad wine in Amador and this event is no exception. At each location I found myself more and more enthralled with the quality of the wines, impressed by the amount (no abbreviated tasting menus here, careful!) and also by the variety. A Vranac from Macedonia? Why, sure!

3) The Food. We're not talking Ritz crackers and spray cheese here. This event is very focused on food and each location features literally an entire meal. Even if you're not that into wine this event is worth attending if only for the edible offerings. This is a huge plus for DDs!

4) The Views. The hills of Sutter Creek and Plymouth are absolutely gorgeous and provide a picture perfect backdrop for this event. Almost every winery is situated in the middle of a beautiful landscape, and the best part of it all is that it totally reminds me of Tuscany. With a glass in your hand a a full belly you can almost trick yourself into thinking that's where you are.

OK, so here's a quick rundown  of the wineries we visited on this trip. I recommend them all, but found a new one that I'm now totally obsessed with.

 Avio Vineyards

  Highlights: Superfriendly staff and owners. Beautiful Tuscan-themed tasting room with a little western charm mixed in. Raspberry champagne!

Best Wine: "Barbed Wire Red": A bright and fruity red blend for everyday drinking.

Food:  Tuscan stew with polenta and "Zinful" brownies

  Sierra Ridge Winery

  Highlights: Gorgeous view, friendly staff, large covered deck

Best Wine: Barrel tasting of their Vranac, a grape from Macedonia. Since it was young it was very fruity and tannic. We also tried the bottled Vranac which had mellowed and deepened but was more round and full.

Food:  Homemade ravioli with homemade pesto, salad, bread and mini cupcakes. 

Feist Wines

  Highlights: Besides everything? A quaint winery housed in a Gold Rush era building in little Amador City (the smallest incorporated town in CA!). Adorable rustic-chic tasting room, art, tipsy staff and a honky-tonk band! What a find!!

Best Wine: Viognier. Medium-bodied with green apple and floral notes. Love!

Food: Smoked sausages and chicken with salsa verde and gourmet cheeses.

Wilderotter Vineyards

   

Highlights: Every wine is amazing, especially the whites. Cute Tuscan-looking building and grounds. Sam, our entertaining, beer-drinking host!

Best Wine: Too hard to choose just one. My favs are the Roussanne - a light, citrusy white and the Ambroisa - a Grenache/Tempranillo blend that is floraly and fruity.

Food: Grilled Poblano Rubbed Chicken Tacos with BBQ Onions & Slaw and a Red Garden Potato Salad - courtesy of Sam, the resident food guru! Best food of the day.

Vino Noceto

 

Highlights: Large tasting area, Italy theme, comparative tastings of local and foreign wines and a talented latin guitar player!

Best Wine: 2009 Misto Sangiovese - won best of show at Amador County fair!

Food: AMAZING crackers from nearby Andrae's bakery, tomato soup, flatbreads and desserts.

Cooper Vineyards

Highlights: Views from the back deck area, good wines all around, largefood spread.

Best Wine: I'm a sucker for their 2009 Barbera.

Food: Italian antipasto, marinated beef, salad, bread, desserts.

 

 and finally....

  Karmere Vineyards

Highlights: Best wine in the area, beautiful grounds, fun staff, resident dog and more. It's pretty much my happy place.

Best Wine: Julie Ann Barbera, Haley Zin, Peach Sparkling Wine. Not even funny how good these are.

Food: Chili and cornbread which was perfect for the end of the day.

I hope everyone enjoyed reading this and that it inspires you to make the trip next year. I'm hesitant to spread the word too much since it's like my little secret, but since only about 4 people read this blog I think I'm safe. :)

Cheers!!

~ Sara