“The apple orchards are still the area’s big draw, but the new wineries are coming on strong… My companions, wine lovers and world travelers, are impressed enough to buy a case. I swirl the ruby liquid in my glass and think of the sights to come that will really knock them out.” — Sunset Magazine
Just fifteen minutes north of our winery, El Dorado’s Apple Hill beckons with its rolling orchards and flourishing wine scene. This gem of the Sierra Foothills draws visitors year-round to its fine wineries, but autumn is when it truly shines—crowds flock for mountain-grown apples, then pumpkins as Halloween nears, and finally Christmas trees as the holidays roll in. It’s a region steeped in agricultural roots, and we’re proud to be part of its story.
Heading north from Placerville, the first winery you’ll hit is Boeger—our county’s oldest, reborn by the Boeger family from a Gold Rush-era estate once run by the Fossati-Lombardo clan. Fun fact: my own wine journey started there, pouring glasses and soaking up the craft. That’s where I met Carrie, too—at the Amador County Fair wine tasting, me behind the Boeger table, her pouring for Windwalker at the next table. (We’ll save that tale for another post!) Boeger and other Apple Hill pioneers laid the groundwork for folks like us, building a wine tourism scene that’s now thriving.
At the heart of Apple Hill sits Fenaughty Vineyard, home to the county’s second-oldest Syrah vines. Winemaker Steve Edmunds first turned heads with his Edmunds St. John Wylie-Fenaughty Syrah, blending fruit from two El Dorado vineyards managed by Ron Mansfield—the same grower who tended our vines. Critics took notice, and even Tablas Creek, the source of our vine cuttings, has since tapped into Fenaughty’s magic. Ron’s son, Chuck, now owns the vineyard, carrying on its legacy. We’ve been lucky to craft wine from these old vines since 1999, alongside Viognier, Grenache, and Mourvèdre from their nearby Gold Bud Farm when our estate yields fall short. At 2700 feet, the same elevation as our own Syrah, Fenaughty’s volcanic soils—think Lava Cap’s namesake—yield a wine that’s delicate and floral. Every sip brings Apple Hill to mind.
Like us in Pleasant Valley, the growers here are family-run, their success built on generations of grit and passion. It’s a legacy we’re honored to share.
Curious for more? Check out the full Sunset Magazine piece, including a nod to Holly’s Hill
Salud,
Josh, co-winemaker
