10 Fantastic El Dorado County Wineries You’ll Love

El Dorado County Wineries are some of the most beautiful and delicious wineries in the State of California. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the El Dorado County wineries region boasts optimal growing conditions that result in high-quality wine. It’s one of the must visit wine regions of the world.

The region’s scenic vistas, mild temperatures, and sumptuous restaurants make it the perfect place for a weekend trip or winery tour. And the apple orchards, Christmas tree farms, and Lake Tahoe destinations add to the region’s charm.

The region’s amazing wines have been featured in Wine Spectator. They are made on estate vineyards by multi-generational winemaking families sharing their craft with visitors. Many of the wineries offer delicious food and a unique experience for visitors.

These wineries are the perfect addition to any El Dorado County wine tasting tour. Just REMEMBER before going to the winery you should call ahead and make a reservation – these wineries fill up fast!

Read on for 10 Fantastic El Dorado County Wineries You’ll Love!

Here is our list of 10 Fantastic El Dorado County Wineries You’ll Love:

#1 Madroña Vineyards

Madroña Vineyards is a family-run business and a pillar of the El Dorado County wineries community. It’s been here for 50 years! Paul and Maggie are second generation wine growers. Their expertise in the industry is evident at the beautiful Madroña Vineyards.

Madroña’s exceptional mountain elevation vineyards give grapes the perfect mix of climate and soils. The mild temperatures throughout the year produce grapes maturity and mild acidity. These high-quality grapes make high-quality wine. Its also got a beautiful view and is good for large groups.

During harvest seasons, the vineyards come alive with activity as the grapes are picked and prepared for winemaking, Madroña’s team takes exceptional care to ensure that each grape is harvested at the optimal maturity. This allows Madroña to showcase the unique sense of place of the Sierra Foothills region.

Bottles range between $14 – $35 USD. Some of the wine Madroña Vineyards produces include.

#2 Boeger Winery

Boeger Winery is a dog and child friendly winery. One of my sisters was recently at Boeger and loved how picturesque it was. She also said the reds were positively delicious and highly recommends it amongst El Dorado County wineries.

They became the first modern-day (post-Prohibition) winery in the El Dorado American Viticultural Area (AVA). This winery traces its lineage back to the California Gold Rush – long before El Dorado County wineries were a thing.

In 1972 when Greg and Sue Boeger purchased the winery and built it into what it is today. 

Greg Boeger was awarded the Wine Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 by the California State Fair. This prestigious award has been issued to other California wine legends such as Robert Mondavi, Jerry Lohr, Bob Gallo and the University of California, Davis.

One of the best things to do at Boeger is take their “Wine Maker for a Day” Tour. You get to sample wines straight from the barrel and blend your own signature bottle to take home. It’s a perfect day.

Prices range from $16 – $34 USD.

Some of the wine Boeger Winery Produces:

White Wines at Boeger Winery

• Chardonnay
• Sauvignon Blanc
• White Riesling
• Various White Blends

Red Wines at Boeger Winery

• Barbera
• Cabernet Franc
• Primitivo
• Syrah
• Tempernillo
• Zinfandel
• Various Red Blends

Rose Wines at Boeger Winery

• Primitivo Rose

#3 Lava Cap Winery

Lava Cap was selected as one of the Top 100 Wineries of the World by Wine & Spirits Magazine. That’s not Top 100 El Dorado County Wineries or Top 100 California Wineries. That’s Top 100 IN. THE. WORLD.

If you’re looking for gorgeous vineyards paired with delicious wine, check out Lava Cap Winery. Lava Cap is a third generation winery. The geologists in the family helped select the land. They chose it due to it’s volcanic soil. And as you may know grapes LOVE volcanic soil.

Despite the awards, Lava Cap winery is very down to earth. This El Dorado County winery is dog friendly (in the garden) and you can bring outside food (again, in the garden).

They allow walk-in tastings and include the tasting fee if you purchase a bottle! Prices for a bottle range from $22 – $45 USD.

Some of the wines at Lava Cap Winery include:

White Wines at Lava Cap Winery:

• Chardonnay
• Viognier
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Muscat

Red Wines at Lava Cap Winery:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cabernet Franc
• Tempernillo
• Mourvèdre
• Gamay Noir
• Petite Syrah
• Syrah
• Sangiovese
• Old Vine Zinfandel
• Grenache
• Barbera
• Zinfandel
• Merlot
• Red Blend

Other Wines at Lava Cap Winery:

• Sparkling (Chardonnay & Cabernet Franc)
• Dessert Wine (Marsanne and Rousanne grapes)
• Port Wine

#4 Miraflores Winery

Miraflores Winery is a hidden gem in Placerville’s Pleasant Valley. This relatively new solar-powered winery spans over 252 acres and features 45 acres of 16 grape varietals. They have numerous awards and were voted El Dorado’s Best Winery for 7 years running. It’s a must-visit for wine lovers. Many people have their weddings here.

The tasting room, completed in 2010, blends old-world Mediterranean and California gold country vibes. Enjoy gourmet food and wine pairings under the arbor or cozy up next to the centuries old fireplace with a glass of red wine and soup.

One of the wines is pretty cool. It is made in the old method where grapes were stomped by foot and fermented traditionally. Naturally this wine is called Estate Methode Ancienne. It’s worth trying and a rare opportunity to sip a bit of history.

If sipping history is your thing, you should also try their Mision wine, made from Mission grapes. Mission grapes were the first grapes planted in the State of California. Miraflores Winery procured these vines from the original.

Prices range from $22 – $60 USD.

Miraflores Winery produces the following wine varietals:

White Wines at Miraflores Winery:

• Muscat
• Viognier
• Chardonnay
• Pinot Grigio
• White Blend

Red Wines at Miraflores Winery:

• Mourvedre
• Tempernillo
• Syrah
• Grenache
• Petit syrah
• Barbera
• Primitivo
• Meritage
• Various Red Blends

Other Wines at Miraflores:

• Several varieties of dessert wine.

#5 David Girard Vineyards:

David Girard’s Vineyards is located on top of Gold Hill. This Gold Hill vineyard is great for Rhone varietals. Of the El Dorado county wineries, David Girard Vineyards pays special attention to keeping the native ecology intact to produce terroir-driven wines.

Their knowledgeable staff, perfect growing conditions, and scenic views make David Girard Vineyard worth the visit.

Bottle prices range between $29 – $68 USD. Some of the wine varietals David Girard Vineyards produces are:

White Wine at David Girard Vineyards

• White Blend (Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Rousanne, Vermentino and Viognier)
• Vermentino
• Viognier-Roussanne Blend

Red Wine at David Girard Vineyards

• Red Blend (Grenache, Mourvedre and Counoise).
• GSM (Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre)
• Mourvedre 
• Grenache
• Syrah
• Red Blend – Primarily from Syrah, with a little Merlot and Counoise,

Other Wine at David Girard Vineyards

• Rose (Dry)

#6 Bumgarner Winery

Bumgarner Winery is unique amongst El Dorado County wineries. It has two tasting rooms. One tasting room is in Camino, basically the heart of Apple Hill vineyards. The second tasting room is in Fair Play, about an hour away from Sacramento. Both offer various reds and whites. Many in the Bordeaux style.

The Camino tasting room is set in a rustic barn surrounded by green lawns and fig trees, while the Fair Play location offers stunning views from atop the ridge at 2750′ elevation.

The winery was founded in the early 2000s by Brian and Jennifer Bumgarner, with a vision for high quality wines grown locally in El Dorado county. You’ll meet members of the Bumgarner family working the land, the winery, or the tasting room every day of the week.

It’s a great place for weddings and events. Wine Tastings are $15 per person and include a logo wine glass and a charcuterie sampler.

In addition to the wine listed below, Bumgarner had multiple cellar-aged old wines to taste – if you’re a fan of old wine.

Bottle Prices range between $20 – $71 USD. Some of their wines include:

Red Wines at Bumgarner Winery

• Pinot Noir 
• Barbera
• GSM Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre
• Zinfandel
• Malbec 
• Cabernet Franc

White Wines at Bumgarner Winery

• Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc
• Chenin Blanc
• Chardonnay 
• Marsanne
• Sauvignonasse aka Friulano

Other Wine at Bumgarner Winery

• Grenache Rosé
• Rose (Lightly Carbonated)
• Late Harvest Viognier
• Late Harvest Grenache-Syrah Port-style wine
• Dessert Wine

#7 Skinner Family Vineyard

Amongst El Dorado County wineries, Skinner Family Vineyard is one of the oldest. The winery was started by their Great Great Great Grandfather James Skinner who immigrated from Scotland.

Like many of their visitors, the Skinner Family cares about sustainability. They built their winery predominantly with recycled steel. They also use solar power to create energy efficiency on the compound. Similar to some of the other wineries above, they use native, drought-resistant plants in their landscaping to help conserve water.

As the old saying goes, “Save Water, Drink Wine”. El Dorado County wineries take this to heart!

The views of the surrounding hills at Skinner Vineyards are breathtaking. The Vineyard welcomes the whole family for picnicking.

Bottle prices range from $26 – $60 USD. Some of the great wines at Skinner Family Vineyard Include:

Red Wines at Skinner Family Vineyard:

• Carignan
• Syrah
• Red Blend (Petite Bouschet, Mission, Trousseau, Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Counoise, Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, Marsanne, Viognier)
• Grenache
• Mourvèdre
• Syrah
• Zinfandel
• Red Blend (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre)
• Petite Sirah

White Wines at Skinner Family Vineyard

• Marsanne-Rousanne
• White Blend (Trousseau Blanc, Vermentino, Picpoul Blanc, Bourboulenc, Mission)
• Roussanne

Other Wines at Skinner Family Vineyard

• Blanc de Blanc – bubbly
• Rose

#8 Narrow Gate Vineyards

If you’re on the hunt for El Dorado county wineries that offer an intimate wine-tasting experience, you’ve got to check out Narrow Gate Vineyards. This boutique winery is tucked away in El Dorado wine country and offers a warm and sustainable atmosphere.

Taste their biodynamic certified wines in a candlelit cellar or beautiful outdoor spaces. All this while enjoying weekend cheese and charcuterie tastings. You can also find entertainment in their educational vineyard walks.

With hands-on organic farming practices, you can truly taste the care that goes into each bottle. Come and experience Narrow Gate Vineyards. It’s not just a wine tasting, it’s a sustainable journey into exquisite wines and warm hospitality.

Bottles Range from $30 – $50 USD. Some of the different varieties Narrow Gate offers is:

Red Wines at Narrow Gate Vineyards

• Grenache
• Red Blend (Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah)
• Petit Sirah
• Syrah
• Primitivo
• Red Blend (Mourvedre, Syrah, and Grenache)
• GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre)

White Wines at Narrow Gate Vineyards

• White Blend 50% Viognier, 25% Vermentino, 25% Roussanne.
• Viognier
• Roussanne
• Chardonnay

Other Wines at Narrow Gate Vineyards

• Petillant Naturel
• Rose (Grenache)
• Port

#9 Sentivo Vineyards

The Fair Play AVA is an absolute must during your tour of El Dorado County Wineries. A great place to try it as at Sentivo Vineyards. Sentivo is a new player on the El Dorado County Wineries stage. They purchased their vineyard in 2022 (though the vines were planted in 1999).

This a very family oriented winery with a friendly staff and good wine. Grape vines surround the property and there are flatbreads, paninis, and charcuterie on the food menu! It’s always nice to grab food with a great bottle of wine.

Bottles at Sentivo Vineyards are comparable to other El Dorado County wineries. Bottle price ranges from $30 – $40 USD.

White Wines Available at Sentivo Vineyards

• Chardonnay

Red Wines Available at Sentivo Vineyards

• Grenache
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Syrah
• Red Blend (Syrah and Grenache)
• Primitivo
• Petite Sirah
• Red Blend (Syrah, Petite Sirah, andZinfandel)
• Malbec

Other Wines at Sentivo Vineyards.

• Rose (Syrah)

#10 Wofford Acres Vineyards

Wofford Acres Vineyards is high on a hill with a great sierra vista overlooking the south fork of the American river.

Of the El Dorado County wineries, Wofford Acres distinguishes itself by it’s philanthropy. They support a wide range of community non-profits like cancer research, pet rescues, and river restoration projects though Trout Unlimited.

The wine has won numerous awards including “Best Red Blend for the Sierra Foothill Region”.

Wofford Acres bottles of wine are priced between $32 – $57 USD. Their cider is priced at $20 USD. Some of the wine varietals available include:

White Wine at Wofford Acres Winery:

• Viognier

Red Wines at Wofford Acres Winery:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Red Blend (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot)
• Red Blend

Other Wine at Wofford Acres Winery

• Apple Cider
• Dessert Wine (Port-style wine)
• Rose (Syrah)

Why Wineries?

Wineries are like Disneyland for grown-ups. Instead of rides, you get tastings; instead of cartoon characters, you get winemakers. But the magic is still there, and it’s a perfect weekend getaway for those seeking relaxation, entertainment, and education, all while surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes.

In addition to the wine tastings and tours, many wineries host events like live music, food pairings, and festivals, making for a fun and exciting weekend experience. And let’s not forget about the wine! Visitors can learn about the different types of wine, production techniques, and the history and culture of the winemaking region.

So, grab your friends, family, or significant other and head to a winery. You won’t regret it! Just remember to pace yourself with the tastings, or you might need an Uber. Cheers!

Explore El Dorado County Wineries

El Dorado County Wineries offer an unforgettable experience for wine lovers and travelers alike. With its unique location nestled in the foothills of the Sierra, the El Dorado AVA wine region is a great place to enjoy some of the most distinctive fruit and elegant wines in California.

From blends to varietal wines like old vine zinfandels, Rhone varieties to Bordeaux varietals, there’s something for every palate. Your bound to find a great one to add to your list of favorite wineries.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor from South Lake Tahoe or from out of state and staying in a Rancho Cordova Hotel, many of these El Dorado County wineries are open daily on weekends and offer complimentary tastings, cellar selections, and wine clubs to join.

Some allow you to catch live music and special events, making it the perfect foundation for a weekend getaway. If I’ve missed one of your favorite El Dorado County wineries, message me so I can add it to the list!

Remember to call ahead before going to any winery! You definitely don’t want to be turned away because you don’t have a reservation!

Traveling to El Dorado AVA via airplane? Bring your pup! Get started by reading our article on How to Fly in a Plane with a Pet.