Sierra Foothills

Stretching along the western slopes of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, the Sierra Foothills wine region boasts a history rooted in the 1849 Gold Rush. Revitalized in the 1970s, this vast AVA is known for its diverse terroir, with vineyards at varying elevations (1,000-3,000+ feet) experiencing warm days and cool nights, leading to balanced, flavourful wines. Soils range from granite to volcanic rock, often supporting dry-farmed old vines.

The star of the Sierra Foothills is undoubtedly Zinfandel, especially from historic old vines, producing rich, spicy reds. The region also excels with Rhône varietals like Syrah and Grenache, robust Italian grapes such as Barbera, and increasingly, characterful white wines. Home to many small, family-run wineries, the Sierra Foothills offers a taste of California’s pioneering spirit with wines of genuine character and depth.