Roughly 35 lush acres surround David Girard Vineyards, making this upscale Gold Country winery a luxurious choice to sample all the bounty of the Sierra Foothills. Views from the thoughtfully modern tasting room are divine, where cascading mountains meet row upon row of grapevines. The tasting room is injected with a Tuscan atmosphere, a pleasant change from many of the more rustic wineries in the area.

Insider Tip

In order to deliver a more personalized experience to each visitor, David Girard Vineyards recently began requiring appointments for tastings, but a simple phone call is all that’s needed to set you up.

Directions

From Placerville, take US-50 W and take exit 46 for Coloma Street. Turn left onto Gold Hill Road, turn right onto Cold Springs Road, and the winery will be on your right.

Grace Patriot Wines offers a variety of experiences, from tours of the red barn, where the wine is made, to the elegant tasting room where it’s enjoyed. If you haven’t experienced the kaleidoscope of colored foliage sparkling throughout the year among the Sierra Foothills, tour the grounds at Grace Patriot Wines and be amazed by nature’s paintbrush. The informed staff will guide your tasting through the vineyard’s surprising diversity of varieties, all for a very reasonable tasting fee.

Insider Tip

Visit during weekend evenings in the summer for breathtaking sunsets and live music.

Directions

From David Girard Vineyards, turn left onto Cold Springs Road and turn left onto Placerville Drive. Turn left onto CA-49 N/Spring Street, turn right onto US-50 E/El Dorado Freeway, and take exit 48 for Schnell School Road. Turn left onto Schnell School Road, turn right onto Carson Road, and the winery will be on the left.

Lava Cap Winery is an idyllic picnicking spot tucked into a sunny corner of the Sierra Foothills, and they often have live music during weekends, as well as hot food on some occasions, like Mother’s Day. The winery was named after the volcanic soil on which it is built, which is particularly fertile and adds nuanced flavors to Lava Cap Winery’s fine wines. The rich and woody tasting room is built with massive windows that peer into Lava Cap Winery’s winemaking facility.

Insider Tip

It is free to celebrate this geological marvel—tastings are complimentary.

Directions

From Grace Patriot Wines, head west on Carson Road, turn right onto Union Ridge Rd, and turn right onto Hassler Road. Turn left at the first cross street onto Fruitridge Road and the winery will be on the right.

You could easily spend a whole afternoon at Crystal Basin Cellars, which includes not just a tasting room but a bistro serving New American-style cuisine crafted from ingredients local to the area. Both the food and the wines are reasonably priced, and Crystal Basin Cellars often hosts concerts during the summer. The tasting room is well-lit, down-to-earth, and adjoined by an entire park.

Insider Tip

Check this winery’s calendar, which often includes several events per month including clambakes, crab feeds, and cigar days.

Directions

From Placerville, take US-50 E/El Dorado Freeway. Turn left onto Sierra Blanca Road, turn right onto Carson Road, and the winery will be on your right.

As one of the larger wineries in the Sierra Foothills, the sprawling tasting room and grounds at Madroña Vineyards provide more luxury and romance than many of the neighboring wineries. A rotating list of 10 wines are available for tasting, and are all complimentary. The wood-paneled tasting room is simply decorated and enveloped by redwoods, although there are still plenty of amazing views from the winery’s perch, 3,000 feet above the countryside.

Insider Tip

Madroña Vineyards creates 27 different types of varieties, so it’s a fine place to educate yourself about more obscure types of wine.

Directions

From Beemers Winery, head west on Barkley Road and turn right onto Carson Road. Turn right onto US-50 W and turn left onto Camino Heights Drive. Turn left onto Vista Tierra Drive, turn right onto Camino Hills Drive, and the winery will be on your right.

A short 15-minute drive from downtown Lodi, the Inn at Locke House is a quintessential bed and breakfast. Owners Lani and Richard spent six years restoring the property, transforming it into one of the most stunning stays in town. Each morning, the eco-friendly establishment serves up a sumptuous breakfast, catered to particular dietary needs. For something a little out-of-the-ordinary, enjoy the Murder Mystery Package, where cocktail parties, teas, and dinners pair up with a dash of who-done-it.

Insider Tip

Book the Water Tower Suite. This three-level unit offers the most secluded, romantic stay, with its own separate entrance.

The Grand Oaks Inn is not your average bed & breakfast. This five-room property is located on a cattle and pomegranate ranch, also operated by owners Joe and Ann. At breakfast, you’ll enjoy produce from the garden and orchard, while the gazebo and spa make for a perfect place to relax after a long day of tasting.

Insider Tip

If there are more than two of you, book the Branding Iron Suite: it features two bedrooms that allow for privacy and extra comfort.

One of the best ways to experience wine country is with a group of your closest friends, and one of the most enjoyable and affordable ways to make such a trip memorable is by renting your own home. Roast s’mores in the fire pit, take a dip in the pool, hit a few balls on the tennis court, or challenge your buds to a game of bocce: the amenities are as wide open as your itinerary. The main house features three bedrooms, and an additional fourth in an unattached guest house.

Insider Tip

Don’t book a spa day—bring it to you. The property manager is more than happy to arrange for an in-house masseuse, along with a menu of other services.

The Lodi Wine Country Cottage is just as it sounds—a pastoral escape. The rental house offers a low-key, log cabin feel, great for a family, or as a relaxing retreat for a pair of couples. For an additional fee, you can even bring your horse if you have one.

Insider Tip

Wake up early: the sunrise is breathtaking from the wooden porch.

Always clean, always friendly, always easy—it’s hard to go wrong with the Hampton Inn. This hotel is a no-brainer for those seeking a familiar feel for their stay in Lodi. A free hot breakfast is served each morning, and there’s a Starbucks across the parking lot for an extra boost before a day spent wine tasting. When you come back for the evening, enjoy a relaxing swim in the outdoor pool.

Insider Tip

Bring the binoculars: The Hampton Inn is located close to the Isenberg Crane Reserve, a destination for bird lovers.

Wine country isn’t just for Mom and Dad: the Holiday Inn Express offers an easy and affordable place to stay for the whole family. Kids can enjoy a 24-hour sweetshop, and everybody will appreciate the spacious rooms. Make sure to pack a swimsuit—the Holiday Inn Express offers the only indoor pool in town (as well as a whirlpool for the adults), which will certainly come in handy after a day spent in the California sun.

Insider Tip

Drive past the blocks of chain restaurants and fast food to discover Pietro’s, a farm-to-fork Italian eatery.

For a little extra leg room with name recognition, the recently built Best Western Plus is the place. Located conveniently next to I-5, this hotel grants easy access to downtown Lodi, as well as a slew of the region’s best wineries. The large rooms are spacious, and the free breakfast is an easy way to start your day.

Insider Tip

The Best Western Plus is located only a mile away from Michael David Winery, one of the best in town. Stop on by and try their wines, or grab a relaxing lunch at their café.

With terrific views of the rolling Gold Country hills, vineyards, and California foliage, Gold Hill Vineyard is a rustic addition to the El Dorado area’s wine country. Gurgling streams run through the grounds, and the wood-paneled tasting room recreates the mood of a 19th-century lodge. If you or any members of your party is less wine-inclined, Gold Hill Vineyard also has a craft brewery.

Insider Tip

If you brought a dog along, it is very welcome at Gold Hill Vineyard.

Directions

From El Dorado, merge onto US-50 E toward Placerville, take exit 37 toward South Shingle Road and turn left. Turn right onto Thompson Hill Road, turn left onto Cold Springs Road, and then right onto Vineyard Lane. The winery will be on the left.

While Boa Vista Vineyards hosts crowds of sweater-donning apple pickers in the fall, the vineyard is worth a trip at any time of the year. Some of Boa Vista Vineyards’ selection of wines are infused with apple, but they also bottle flavorful dessert and red wines. Both are available for tastings at the quaint and cozy tasting room at Boa Vista Vineyards, where the feel of a Midwestern barn mixes with Northern California sophistication.

Insider Tip

Boa Vista Vineyards isn’t just a vineyard and apple orchard—stop in for some fantastic, handmade pastries, including apple pies.

Directions

From Gold Hill Vineyard, head west on Vineyard Lane and turn left onto Cold Springs Road. Turn left onto Placerville Drive and then left onto CA-49 N/Spring Street. Turn right onto US-50 E/El Dorado Freeway, take exit 48 for Schnell School Road, and turn left. Turn right onto Carson Road and the winery will be on your right.

The tasting room at diVittorio Vineyard is simple and unpretentious, but the wines available are inventive, including Portuguese Port and Orange Muscat, as well as bottles made from nectarines and plums harvested straight from the grounds. Picnic at the shaded tables outside for panoramic views of the vineyards and orchards. With touches of Tahoe and rustic mining country décor, you’ll feel pleasantly off-the-beaten-path at diVittorio Vineyard.

Insider Tip

On occasion, diVittorio Vineyard invites a chef for a pop-up restaurant among the vines; the schedule is available on the website.

Directions

From Boa Vista Vineyards, head east on Carson Road toward Indian Lane and the vineyard will be on your right.

Enjoy authentic Gold Country living and drinking at Boeger Winery in a setting that is quiet and serene. The tasting room is housed in a building built in 1872, retaining the charm of the Gold Rush era. The grounds are similarly terrific, and are best seen during a hike around the waterfalls, beautiful trees, and peaceful gardens that dot the surrounding property. The knowledgeable staff will guide you through the many varieties offered by the winery, where both the $5 tasting fee and the price of the bottles fit any budget.

Insider Tip

On Friday nights, Boeger Winery hosts a “Sunset Sippin’” event with live music outside.

Directions

From El Dorado, merge onto US-50 E toward Placerville. Take exit 48 for Schnell School Road and turn left onto Schnell School Road. Turn right onto Carson Road and left onto Boeger Lane. The winery will be one your left.