Birthplace of the California gold rush – circa,1840’s Amador County is located about 50 miles southeast of Sacramento in the Sierra Foothills. The region is renowned for producing outstanding Zinfandels dating back to 1856. The county was created in 1854 from parts of Calaveras and El Dorado Counties and was named in honor of the early Spanish gold miner and rancher, Jose Maria Amador. It is common that many of the Zinfandel plantings in the area are well over one hundred years old. Forget ‘Old Vine’ Zinfandel – Amador is ‘Ancient Vine’ Zinfandel country.

The area enjoys a variety of growing conditions helping to define this appellation (growing region). Vineyard elevations range from 250 feet on the western slops of the foothills up eastwards along Sierra Nevada range to around 3000 feet. Similarly, assorted soil types ripple throughout the region imparting flavor nuances specific to that area. Delta breezes provide the ideal cooling conditions needed in this region where temperatures during the growing seasons range from the eighties to over one hundred degrees. Haraszthy Family Cellars Amador County Zinfandel is produced from grapes grown in the Shenandoah Valley and the Fiddletown sub-regions of the Sierra Foothills appellation.

Stylistically, Amador County Zinfandels exhibit deep rich concentrated fruit forward flavors with a bouquet described as “holiday spice”- nutmeg, cedar, vanilla. Our Amador County Zinfandel is not over ripe or extracted. Please refer to our tasting notes for specific details about our Amador County Zinfandel.