Sierra Foothills

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Nestled in the western foothills of northern California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, just east of Sacramento, lies one of the state’s best-kept secrets: the Sierra Foothills wine region. The area runs 120 miles from north to south, covering 2.6 million acres (1.05 million hectares) and has a rich history, diverse topography and unique blend of varietals. It’s a go-to destination for wine lovers seeking something different.  

History of the Sierra Foothills Wine Region

The region’s wine industry dates back to the Gold Rush when, in the mid 1800s, hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world arrived searching for riches. Some looked for gold and others, like businessmen Levi Strauss, Domingo Ghirardelli and Henry Wells and William G. Fargo, serviced those looking for gold. Southern European settlers, mainly from Italy, first began planting grapevines in the area. The region’s diverse soils proved ideal for growing grapes. The wine industry soon took off thanks to a population boom and by the early 1900s, the Sierra Foothills had become a major producer for California.

Unfortunately, Prohibition dealt a severe blow to business. But vineyards were