Sacramento sits in the center of the northern California valley where over 70% of the Golden State’s wine grapes are grown. This 5-day sample itinerary takes you from the rolling foothills of the Gold Country to the rustic towns along the storied waterways the California Delta. The area’s pride in its rich agricultural history shines through at wineries where the farmers and winemakers often meet you in person and share their passion. With over 200 wineries in the region, it’s (probably) impossible to visit them all, but this sample itinerary will give you a good start on exploring California’s most welcoming wine region.

Be sure to check out Visit Sacramento’s Wine Guide, too.

  • Day 1: Sacramento

    Sacramento Old Sugar Mill: This venue houses ten different wineries and a customized tour offers a brief history of the building, in addition to information about how wine is made. Visitors can then sample some of the wines.

    Bogle Vineyards: Bogle owns and farms over 1600 acres in Northern California, with 1200 in Clarksburg and 400 in the Lodi appellation. The winery and tasting room are nestled in the idyllic delta town of Clarksburg provides a perfect place for an afternoon picnic.
  • Day 2: Amador

    Deaver Vineyards: Named vineyard of the year in 2013 by the California State Fair, this family-owned establishment is home to vines that were originally planted in 1854. They are famed for their velvety Zinfandels.

    Andis Wines: Surrounded by rolling hills and boasting a 360-degree view of the Shenandoah Valley, this winery was designed with both beauty and function in mind. Their elegant tasting room is the perfect place to sample a barbera, one of the signature varietals of the region.

    Helwig: Visit this winery and take their “Vine to Wine” tour where you will be led through the grounds, facility and wine caves by a Wine Educator – all while sipping on delicious award-winning wines.

    58 Degrees & Holding: Enjoy dinner at this popular wine bar and restaurant in the heart of midtown Sacramento. The wine list is comprised of high-quality wines from around the world and equal attention is given to food and wine pairing.
  • Day 3: Sacramento

    Sacramento Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine & Food Science: A tour of these facilities provides information on the research that’s conducted at the institute and an overview of the events and classes held there. You will also have a chance to see a milk processing lab, brewery, and winery. Specialized tours are available that offer tastings of wine, honey, and olive oil.

    Underground Tasting Room: Wander over to Old Sacramento Waterfront to find this unique tasting room that’s located on the original level of the city. Delicious chocolates, gourmet food, and giftware are also available for purchase.

    Dinner at The Firehouse: This award-winning fine dining restaurant has the most extensive wine collection in the Central Valley.
  • Day 4: Lodi

    Harney Lane Winery: The winery is family-owned and operated and proud to be 100% estate grown and certified green. Take the Grape to Glass Tour for a special opportunity to explore the grounds with a knowledgeable guide and sample the diverse portfolio.

    LangeTwins Winery & Vineyards: Enjoy a private and exclusive tasting experience. A Private Barrel Room Tasting and Wine Tour will give guests an up close and personal experience with the state-of-the-art winery, while learning about the history of the LangeTwins family and their commitment to sustainability.

    Jeremy Wine Co: Today, Jeremy Wine Co. harvests over 100 tons of grapes each year in their own boutique winery and shares the resulting wine with their tasting room guests. Stop by the quaint tasting room in vibrant downtown Lodi and belly up to the vintage mid-1880’s bar or relax in the beautiful courtyard and enjoy some wine.

    The Rind: A cheese-centric bar where you can experience unique and inspiring cheeses paired with delightful and complex wines and beers. From buttery to blue and nutty to stinky, enjoy the multitude of cheese offerings with a glass of wine and no pretension.
  • Day 5: Sacramento

    Revolution Wine & Kitchen: Enjoy brunch at this boutique winery-bistro. From farm-to-fork to farm-to-glass, they make high-quality food from the finest local ingredients and high-quality wines with the best fruit available. Revolution receives local grapes, crushes and ferments, bottles and offers tastings to the public all in a single facility.

    Gekkeikan Sake: Gekkeikan Sake (USA), Inc. was established in Folsom, California in 1989. It’s a state-of-the-art brewery with a beautiful koi pond and Japanese garden. The tasting room offers complimentary tasting of “Kobai”, their latest plum wine, as well as a variety of their locally produced sakes.

    Old Vine Express: This farm-to-glass event rolls along old River Road offering tastings of 15 Northern California wines. Wander amongst the open-air cars or take a seat inside and enjoy live music with beautiful views of the Sacramento River.

WINE REGIONS

  • Amador
  • Calaveras
  • El Dorado
  • Lodi
  • Northern Sierra
  • Placer
  • Sacramento
  • Yolo

WINE BARS & WINE-CENTRIC EATERIES

  • 58 Degrees & Holding
  • Allora
  • Downtown & Vine
  • Ella Dining Room & Bar
  • The Firehouse Restaurant
  • Frasinetti Winery & Restaurant
  • Grand Wine Bar
  • Grange Restaurant & Bar
  • Mulvaney’s B&L
  • Revolution Wine & Kitchen
  • The Rind
  • Selland’s Market-Café
  • Table Vine
  • Underground Tasting Room
  • WHIRED Wine Bar

OTHER EVENTS

Zinfest: Sip, swirl and savor from a selection of 200 handcrafted wines from over 40 Lodi wineries. Enjoy local provisions, learn some new tips at the ZinFest Wine and Cooking Schools, or relax along the beautiful Mokelumne River to an eclectic mix of live music.

Second Saturday: Once a month, many Sacramento area art galleries stay open late so that patrons can enjoy an evening of art, music, and wine-tasting. Stroll along the streets of Midtown and pop into the various venues while taking in this colorful scene.

Legends of Wine: Set against the backdrop of California’s majestic State Capitol, guests will sip a wide array of award-winning wines paired and presented with artisan cheeses and more local delights.