Amador County

The appeal of Amador County is its daytime warmth, sunlight, and lack of humidity. Zinfandel is a variety particularly prone to botrytis, but in Amador this is less of a concern. Although Amador is often compared with similar AVAs in Napa, notably St. Helena and Calistoga, its daytime highs rarely exceed 100° F (38° C), and temperatures routinely drop significantly at night, due to cool mountain air flowing down from the Sierra Nevadas. The sunshine helps ensure ripeness, while the diurnal swing slows everything down, helping grapes retain their natural acidity.

Geological Influences

Over millions of years, granitic rock from the Sierra Nevada Mountains settled into the valley and began to decompose. This rocky, dense soil is essential to winemaking in Amador, one of the only places in California with sand and granite soils, which is why so many people are experimenting with Rhône

Valley varieties--Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Viognier-- and Rhône Department varieties, like Gamay.

Mountains/River/Other Key Influences

Without the Sierra Nevada Mountains, viticulture in Amador would be far more challenging. The proximity of the mountains provides elevation for vineyards and accounts for cool temperatures in the afternoons and evenings. This is a very different place from nearby Central Valley, with its consistently hot days and balmy nights. 

Another moderating influence is the presence of multiple bodies of water. Amador County includes many rivers, reservoirs, lakes and creeks, all of which help abate temperatures in and around vineyards. The presence of nearby water, along with the unique stony, sandy, volcanic soils, also helps preempts a need for irrigation. 

Bodies of water in Amador County:

• Lake Camanche
• Pardee Reservoir
• Bear River Reservoir
• Silver Lake
• Sutter Creek
• Consumnes River
• Mokulemne River
• Lake Tabeaud

Soil Diversity

The Sierra Nevada range is a result of ancient volcanic activity. A combination of volcanic rock and decomposed granite provides dense, but friable soils that allow vines to dig deep for water. There is no shortage of rain in Amador, with nearly 100 cms (40 inches) of rainfall each year. The soil retains water, enabling dry farming, without the need for irrigation -- an advantage in our age when wine regions are looking to conserve natural resources.

Since more than 243 hectares (600 acres) of vines are at least 65 years old, yields are very low. 

Climate

Amador is a warm Region 3 climate, with hot days and cool nights. The diurnal swing is the result of cool mountain air travelling south and settling over the valley at night. The climate is often compared with that of St. Helena, and is generally cooler than Calistoga