“Take a twisting road from Placerville…and you come to Holly’s Hill Vineyards. Carrie Bendick had lived in Washington and Utah before returning to California, where her father, Tom Cooper, planted vineyards on the family property—and made her winemaker. Now Bendick and her husband, Josh, earn gold medals for their Rhône-style wines.” — Sunset Magazine
Start in Placerville, and you’re at the gateway to El Dorado wine country—a sprawl of jaw-dropping views, killer wines, and surprises around every curve. We’re talking Sierra Nevada slopes, where dramatic elevations churn out vibrantly flavorful, downright delicious bottles. El Dorado County wineries have been at it since the Gold Rush, one of California’s OG wine zones, and today, they’re dishing out top-notch taste, value, and variety. Bonus? You might just chat up the winemakers—like me and Carrie—over a glass.
From Placerville, the twisting road to Holly’s Hill winery is your ticket to the action. Carrie’s dad, Tom Cooper, kicked it off, planting our vines and tossing her the winemaking reins. Teamed up with me, Josh, we’ve been racking up gold medals for our Rhône-style wines—Grenache, Mourvèdre, you name it. That Sunset pic up top? It’s from their write-up, many years old now, but the gold-medal vibe’s still kicking. It’s not just us—the whole region’s a playground of microclimates and high-altitude vineyards, pumping out bold flavors you won’t find anywhere else.
Need a breather? Placerville’s Main Street has you covered. This Gold Rush gem’s got solid eats and treats. Refuel at one of the restaurants, pick up a souvenir at Placerville Hardware, then dive back into the wine trail. Our tasting rooms, like Holly’s Hill’s, keep it laid-back and family-friendly. Bring the kids, even the dog—our Sierra Foothills vibe doesn’t do stuffy. Those steep slopes and cool nights? They’re the secret sauce behind El Dorado wine country’s standout bottles.
So, base yourself in Placerville and hit the road. El Dorado’s wineries—including ours—are all about discovery, from the first sip to the last twist of Highway 49. Swing by Holly’s Hill and taste why our Rhône-style wines are gold-medal material. You’ll see what Sunset saw—and then some.
Cheers,
Josh
