Grape expectations“The Placer Wine Trail is really the area’s best-kept secret,” says Rebecca Wilkie, owner of Cuvée Marketing, which oversees marketing and publicity for the Placer Wine Trail. “A lot of people just don’t know how many wineries and breweries are in Placer County.”

Though not an actual trail, it’s home to 20 family-owned and operated wineries interspersed with family farms, wildlife, and a wonderful collection of breweries (dubbed The Ale Trail), often with hops growing on site. The wineries reside in small, charming structures—no fancy, overly commercialized sprawls here. Inside, guests are welcomed with an unpretentious, down-to-earth vibe.

The pastoral lands of the Sierra Foothills American Viticultural Area, or AVA, with its Mediterranean climate and rolling hills, are fertile grounds for such hearty reds as Barbera, zinfandel, and syrah, as well as tempranillo, sangiovese, Grenache, and Malbec. White wine lovers need not despair; whites such as sauvignon blanc and viognier make frequent appearances along the trail.

Despite their small size and newness (many only opened in the last decade), several wineries already can boast awards, from bronze, silver, and gold to Best of Class of Region and Best of California.

Hidden treasuresGoing off the beaten path on the

Placer Wine TrailWritten by Jessica Santina

T he wine lover’s holy grail is the small, family-run winery that has yet to be discovered by the masses. In such a hidden gem, guests can affordably commingle with winemakers, sample

limited-release vintages, and enjoy an approachable wine experience not often found in other well-known wine regions.

What’s even better? Finding such a place close to home.

Situated between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento, just beyond the billboards of I-80 near the Highway 49 exit, the Placer Wine Trail wineries wait to delight visitors for a day, a weekend, or longer. Here you’ll find small-farm charm, captivating views, fresh Sierra Foothills breezes, and lush, delicious wines.

Happy trailsThe Placer Wine Trail experience is more approachable than ever, thanks to a revamped website that can create highly customizable trip plans for visitors. Whether you want to design a one-day trip that starts in Loomis and ends in Auburn, a golf vacation with a little wine and beer in between, a family getaway weekend complete with picnics, or your own personal all-zinfandel tasting adventure, you’re only a few clicks away. The trail is only an hour from Tahoe and 30 minutes from Sacramento, so even a half-day adventure is easily doable. Enter the trail in Auburn, Lincoln, Loomis, Rocklin, Roseville, Newcastle, or even Meadow Vista—there are no rules. It’s never the same trail twice.

For details about the Placer Wine Trail, including map, listing of

events, day trips, and more, visit Placerwine.com/plan-your-visit.

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