The entire county of the same name comprises the AVA area in the Sierra Foothills region of California. The name was derived from the gold discoveries that triggered the gold rush in this region from 1850 onwards. The vineyards are situated at 450 to 900 metres above sea level on soils of volcanic origin. The climate is Mediterranean, with mild, mostly humid winters and warm, dry summers. The red wine varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec (Cot) and Pinot Noir, as well as the white wine varieties Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon are mainly cultivated here. The AVA areas of Fiddletown and California Shenandoah Valley adjoin to the south. Well-known wineries are Boeger, Lava Cap and Madroña.
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Markus J. Eser
Weinakademiker und Herausgeber „Der Weinkalender“