Turley Wine Cellars produces 47 different wines from more than 50 vineyards, most of which are single vineyard designate Petite Syrahs or Zinfandels. All vineyards are currently certified organic or working towards that goal. The winery focuses on old-vine vineyards, aiming to create as well as preserve the unique winemaking culture of the area. The Amador County Tasting Room is open daily between 10 am and 5 pm. Walk-ins are welcome during regular business hours but groups of eight or more should make reservations. The focus of this tasting room is the local vineyards close by, complemented by a selection of wines from throughout the state. The tasting fee is waived with the purchase of two bottles or costs $10 per person. There is also a picnic area now available on the property, in Pokerville, the gold mining camp. You can buy wine by the bottle or glass. Those traveling will also find another tasting room in Paso Robles.

10851 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-3938

 2. Vino Noceto Winery

11011 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-6556

112500 Steiner Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-6307

Helwig Vineyard & Winery prides itself on being a premier winery in Shenandoah Valley, complete with sweeping views of lush vineyards and mountains. The winery owns 60 acres of land with grapes in four vineyards throughout Amador and El Dorado Counties. The tasting room is spacious and inviting. The property also has well-equipped conference and meeting rooms, a picnic Pavilion, a wine cave, and a terraced concert amphitheater. The vineyard also regularly hosts private events plus public or private wine cave tours. The tasting room is open every day of the year from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, except holidays, and closes an hour early for Summer Concerts. To visit the Tasting Room or go on a Cave Tour, you must be 14 years old. Stay inside the tasting room itself or sit on the back deck while enjoying award-winning wine. There is also a Wine Club for those who appreciate discounts and other benefits.

11555 Shenandoah Rd, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-5200

22001 Shenandoah School Rd, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-6660

10861 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-3670

14430 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-4455

Karmere Vineyard and Winery offers complimentary wine tastings in their gorgeous French-style chateau tasting room. The vineyard covers 67 acres of estate grown vines along gentle slopes in an ideal environment for producing wines. Karmere Vineyards uses sustainable farming practices, including organic practices, and each vineyard is named after a female family member. When in the tasting room, you can try the popular releases as well as get the chance to try an upcoming release right from the barrel. They also have local specialty products available. The tasting room is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm, including most holidays. If you can only visit at another time, make an appointment. Check their schedule for special events, such as release parties, Mother’s Day celebrations, and more. You can also buy many of the Karmere wines online via their website.

11970 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-5000

20680 Shenandoah School Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-6942

The Cooper family began producing high-quality fruit to create varietal wines since 1979. The vineyards now feature 17 varietals that produce more than 20 unique wines over 90 acres of land. Cooper Vineyards has been a tasting room since 2004, serving as a boutique winery with a tasting flight that changes during the year. This lets visitors experience new wines with every visit. You can visit the tasting room on Thursdays through Mondays, between 11 am and 4:45 pm. Like many other small wineries in Amador County, Cooper Vineyards cannot accommodate groups of seven or more without an appointment because of the size of their space and typical amount of staff on hand. There is also a wine club with new releases and limited-edition wines at special prices, other discounts, and access to exclusive events. In addition to wine club events, Cooper Vineyards also has other events throughout the year, such as the Big Crush and Barbera Festival.

21365 Shenandoah School Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-6181

19890 Shenandoah School Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-6016

18590 Highway 49, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-6600

 13. Andis Wines

Andis Wines opened in November 2010, aiming to bring modernity and freshness to Amador County’s winemaking traditions. They search for the best vineyards within the sierra Foothills so they can create wines that have complexity, varietal correctness, balance, and character thanks to innovative and traditional winemaking techniques. Their building has a green design and is state-of-the-art with 22,000 square feet. The vineyard surrounding the winery dates back to 1978 and was bout in 2009, with 20 acres under vine. Visit the tasting room to enjoy panoramic views of vineyards. There are also daily tours of the winery, picnic areas, and a bocce ball court. Of course, the tasting room also has wine on tap. It is open every day except Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Thanksgiving from 11 am to 4:30 pm. If you want to join the Andis Wine Club, you will get discounts and exclusive access to events and wine.

11000 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-6177

11270 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-3087

Deaver Vineyards has followed the family tradition of growing grapes for more than 150 years. The vines were planted in approximately 1854 by the great-grandfather of the current owner, with his son planting the Zinfandel after another decade. Throughout most of its history, Deaver was a vineyard solely and sold the grapes from the old vines to home winemakers. This changed with the Lakeshore label on Deaver Vineyards Zinfandel in 1985. Now, the winery is known for producing velvety Zinfandels. You can visit the Deaver Vineyards Winery any day of the week between 10:30 am and 5 pm. Groups must make a reservation ahead of time. Be sure to also stop by their gift shop where you will find home and wine accessories that you will not spot anywhere else. Plan a picnic lunch by the winery’s pond. Those who want to stay nearby will notice that the Amador Harvest Inn is next door and includes a home-cooked breakfast.

12455 Steiner Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-4099

Bray Vineyards was established in 1996 on 50 acres of land. By 2001, the vineyard was supplying local well-known wineries grapes. In 2004, they hired a winemaker and opened their own winery. Bray Vineyards currently uses 30 acres of their 50-acre property at a time, growing 22 varietals and producing a range of wines. They also produce extra-virgin estate-grown olive oil from olives grown on the property. The Tasting Room has a tasting fee of $5 per person, but that is waived if you buy a bottle. Because the space is small, groups of eight or more require reservations. The tasting room is open on Fridays from 11 am to 4 pm and on weekends from 10 am to 5 pm. Be sure to check their schedule for special events like Winefest and Black Friday Weekend. Unsurprisingly, Bray Vineyards also offers several wine clubs with free tastings and discounts on purchases.

10590 Shenandoah Rd, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-6023

22715 Upton Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-267-8053

Amador Brewing Company builds on the long tradition of Amador County producing fine wine and beer. They hope to reignite the more than 150 years of excellence in local brewing by creating high-quality craft beer. You will find a range of common and less-than-common beers to choose from. These include “Dirty Blonde,” IPA, Double Goat, Altbier, Kolsch, “Kit Carson Pale Ale,” Deep Hop Red, “Night Hike Porter,” “Martha,” Citrachicoe IPA, “Gimme the Juice,” Big Bounty, Pool Floatie Wheat, and Milk Stout, some of which are seasonal or have limited releases. In addition to enjoying a beer from Amador Brewing Company in their tasting room, you can find them at local restaurants and bars or take home a keg. Bring an appetite when you visit the tasting room as there are food trucks. The tap room is open on Fridays from 2 to 8 pm, on Saturdays from 11:30 am to 8 pm, and on Sundays from 11:30 am to 6 pm.

9659 Main St, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-507-1900

Young’s Vineyard features award-winning wines along with gorgeous grounds. There are beautiful gardens just waiting to be explored. The owners bought the property in 1992, at which point it was an operating winery with seven acres of grapes and production of 1,000 cases. Since then, they expanded to 30 acres of land and 3,000 cases. Ten of those acres of picnic grounds, lawns, gardens, and a tranquil pond, which visitors love to explore. The tasting room is open on Thursdays and Fridays from 10:30 am to 3:45 pm, on Saturdays from 10:30 am to 4:45 pm, and on Sundays from 10:30 to 3:45 pm. If you will only be around on Mondays, you can make an appointment. You should also check Young’s Vineyard regularly for special events, like Wine Club Release Parties, which typically include music and food, like artisan pizzas.

10120 Shenandoah Rd, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-3005

 20. Taste

Taste is located on Main Street, giving easy access to delicious dining in Amador County. Taste strives to serve healthy, seasonal, and flavorful meals. Their menu constantly changes. On Mondays, you can try the special Prix Fixe menu from the chefs. At the Wine Bar, enjoy bites like caprese, crispy sardine, a cheese plate, or a Taste sandwich. The lunch and dinner menus include dishes like Creekstone Farms Filet Mignon, Rosen Farms Rack of Lamb, Seared Duck Breast, and Sweet Corn & Peaches. There are also several desserts and an extensive wine and beer menu. They serve dinner from Thursdays to Tuesdays, opening at 4:30 pm on weekends and 5 pm on weekdays. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, Taste serves lunch between 11:30 pm and 2 pm. They recommend reservations for seating in the dining room. The Wine Bar has the full Dinner Menu plus the Wine Bar menu but open seating. There are also occasional special events like wine lunches.

9402 Main Street, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-3463

 21. Jeff Runquist Wines

Jeff Runquist Wines produces 22 red varietals that come from 9 appellations, with grapes originally from all across the state of California. Their wines are balanced and can be enjoyed while still young or gain complexity with time. The wines have a fresh fruit theme that reflects the varied flavors in the grapes. The team launched its own label in 1995 following 18 years of producing wine. The winery was built on land purchased in 2006, opening in 2008, joined by production facilities in 2010 and 2013. The tasting room is open from Thursdays to Mondays between 11 am and 5 pm. Because of the space, groups of six or more must make an appointment ahead of time. For a unique experience, consider staying in the “R” Vineyard House, a 3,600-square-foot home with views of the winery and vineyards. It sleeps eight comfortably and has a fully-equipped kitchen, multiple decks, and a saltwater swimming pool.

10776 Shenandoah Road, Plymouth, CA, Phone: 209-245-6282