The wine tasting event ran from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and was located on the lawn area next to the main exhibit hall. The line to get in started to get long about 15 minutes before 7:00, but once the gates opened the line moved very efficiently and the wine lovers were quickly checking out what they should taste first. Tables were set up in an ‘L’ shape for the thirty plus wineries that were pouring their award winning wines near the end of the lawn closest to the building. Milling around the tables were a few hundred wine enthusiasts, dressed casually in a fashion consistent with the hay bale sitting areas scattered around the outside of the tasting area. In a centrally located area were crackers and cheeses, fruits, nuts, veggies, as well as chips and dips to enjoy with the wines.
Most of the big players from the region were there; like Renwood, Montevina and Madrona; as were some very popular winemakers from out of the area, like Scott Harvey and Macchia. Best of all was the relaxed, casual atmosphere that offered those that were interested a chance to meet many of the winemakers and discuss their wines and winemaking philosophy. Although the Zins you would expect to see in an Amador event were there in spades and alone were worth the price of admission, there were some great delicate whites as well as many wonderfully lusty and complex reds that are some of the area's best. We even had a chance to try two intriguing Mission Grape wines; one from Nine Gables in Amador and the other from Rocco’s Com e Bella in Calaveras. The event was also an opportunity to see that there can be a significant difference between the wines of the different foothill regions; a fact made possible by the incredible number of microclimates that exist there.
Nine o’clock came around way too soon. After we left the tasting we explored the rest of the Fair, listening to some great music, wandering through the livestock barns and the county award exhibit and just enjoying this opportunity to share a little rural America the way it used to be.
Price: $20 per person which includes all wines and food. The cost of admission to the fair is in addition to the cost of the Tasting Event.
California State Fair Wine Competition Tasting Event:
Started in 1855, this is the oldest wine competition in California and certainly one of the state’s most prestigious. Entrants are restricted to grapes grown and wines produced in California. The one exception to the rule is if the wine producer is in one of the neighboring states of Oregon, Nevada, or Arizona and 75% of the grapes used in the wine are from California. There were over 1400 individual awards given in 2006.
The event was held in two of the main exhibit buildings on the State Fair Grounds located on Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, California. Held on a Thursday night in mid July, it was a very warm summer evening and we were glad the event was held in an air conditioned building. This is a gala event in the California State Capital with the crowd pretty well split between cocktail attire and California summer casual; quite a mix. Continued ...
