The hosts of this wonderful tasting room are Rod Ruthel of French Hill Winery, Hank Battjes of Gold Hill Winery and Jack & Sheila Feichtner of Le Mulet Rouge Vineyard & Winery. At SCWT three foothill counties are represented making this a wonderful opportunity for consumers to discover the complexity of Sierra Foothill Wines.

These three wineries stand together as The Three Amigos, heroines of the Wild West, prepared to surprise you, tantalize you and deliver an experience to take home with you. As you lay your eyes upon the cozy shop nestled amidst the 1850’s architecture just imagine approaching the tasting room bar with the swagger of a cowboy who has a hankering to wet his whistle. Next, an affable face appears across the bar, you move toward her, belly up to the bar and say, “Miss, I’d like to start with the whites.” Quickly, attentive Operations Manager Jennifer Lopez replies, “would that be a 2001 Gold Hill Chardonnay, a 2001 Sauvignon Blanc from Le Mulet Rouge or perhaps a French Hill Grand Reserve Chardonnay?”

Choices abound here and with these kinds of choices even a tenderfoot can’t go wrong. Speaking of tenderfoots the newest addition to SCWT is Jodi Littlefield. Jodi will keep your spirits up and tickle you with a little wine education. Ask about their special dispensing technique and they explain how the argon pressurized dispensing system works to keep the oxygen away from the wine reducing the risk of pouring oxidized wine. Impressive! Ask them why you place your nose in the glass and they’ll tell of the sensual delights that can be encountered from a lush bouquet.

While enjoying the wine, stroll around the tasting room and take in the art, novelties and gifts offered here. Also, how bout checking out the Sutter Creek Historic Walk, the theatre, the B&B’s or the many shops that line the streets.

If food is on your mind there are a number of restaurants to choose from in the area and if you purchase your wine from SCWT you will receive a “Get the Cork out Free” card that will entitle the bearer to uncork their bottle or bottles free at any participating restaurant. If you’re not sure which restaurant to choose, check with the girls! They will suggest a few and after you’ve decided they will make the reservation for you!

Remember when you’re on your wine tasting adventure, this location has extended hours and is the ONE PLACE not to miss.

Gold Hill Vineyard & Winery was founded in 1980. Hank, in pursuit of his dream found five existing acres of vineyard on an expansive 80 acre parcel near Coloma and purchased the property. Today, after years of hard work Hank now has 50 plus acres of planted vineyards a wine tasting room and his 4,000 square foot barrel room that produces approximately 2,500 cases of award winning wines annually.

Gold Hill Vineyards has been producing gold medal winning Bordeaux style reds and Chardonnay since 1985. Hank has also forged a name for himself with the addition of Italian & Rhone varietals.

Gold Hill is located one mile from the historic gold discovery town of Coloma. It is open Thursday thru Sunday year around and by appointment. Picnics, weddings and private parties are welcome.

Let’s look at a sampling of the Gold Hill wines that you can taste at Sutter Creek Wine Tasting. Hank’s credo “ferment to dryness with a lot of fruit”.

Gold Hill 2001 Chardonnay Reserve
Fruit Salad in a glass. This wine is filled with green apples, pears and pineapple, topped off with caramelized butter and vanilla.

Gold Hill 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon
Carmen Miranda. Fruit, fruit, fruit and a finish you’ll remember for decades.

Gold Hill 1999 Port
An erotic fantasy in a bottle. Sandwich yourself between layers of chocolate and berries. Sha-Wing!

Rod says that one of his favorite things about Sutter Creek Wine Tasting is the convenience offered to the traveler.

“The many B & B’s make for a comfortable and nostalgic place to stay and the local dining is incredible. We create the added experience of a wine tasting adventure in one location.”

For instance my winery offers “Ultra Premium Wines” at reasonable prices. In today’s market place the consumer ends up the winner as the quality of the wines being produced has risen and retail cost has receded.

“At SCWT we enjoy bringing wines together that will delight your palate and in this unusual environment a person can experience a side by side comparison to other wineries.”

Here is a description of three of Rod’s wines that are available for tasting including his signature wine his 2001 Barbera.

2002 Grand Reserve Pinotage
In the ring with Mike Tyson vs. the cast from “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.”
Fruit everywhere and a knock-out punch on the finish. Ka – Pow!!

2001 Premium Select Cabernet Sauvignon
Licorice, herbs and cherries on the nose. Caramel, blackberries and cloves on the palate. Full bodied with a smooth finish. Gold medal at Calaveras County Fair

2001 Grand Reserve Barbera
Smoke, caramel and cherries up front which lead to a long vanilla finish. Drink like a Barberian!

This interesting winery name was chosen because Jack & Sheila’s Winery location in Fiddletown located on Red Mule Road (Rue Mulet Rouge in French). Their impressive label depicts a team of mules pulling a wagon along the road. The road is named for the red mules our neighbor Ron Scofield raised and used in his cross-country wagon train. How’s that for some trivia!

Accomplishments, Jack & Sheila have many, more than can be listed here but here are a couple highlights: Both have earned Ph.D.’s and are enjoying celebrating their 47 years of marriage. This couple is gregarious, entertaining and has a great sense of humor. They are very active in the Fiddletown Preservation Society and are trying to save the Chinese structures that remain from the Gold Rush. Please ask about this while visiting SCWT and if time allows take the short drive to Fiddletown and see these marvelous pieces of history.

Le Mulet Rouge 1999 Sangiovese
Cherry and raspberry with spicy cloves, anise and vanilla. Hints of tobacco on the finish. Serve with spicy foods, heavy sauces, grilled meats, soups and cheeses.

Le Mulet Rouge 2001
'Eschen' Old Vine Zinfandel
Cary Grant in a glass. Sensuous, smooth and sophisticated.

Le Mulet Rouge 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon This wine is a dark fantasy come true. Bound in leather and flogged with licorice whips. “Taste the anise, taste the anise.” Run, don’t crawl, LIMITED SUPPLY!