This assignment began like many others, but as I motored towards my destination in El Dorado County, something seemed different. The splendor of the spring flowers enveloped my senses. On the radio I heard the song “Top of the World” performed by the Carpenters of seventies fame. As I followed Tower Road upward toward the summit of the mountain, the chorus began “I’m on top of the world looking down on creation.” I knew I was about to arrive at one of the most scenic views offered by a winery. I had arrived at Mount Aukum Winery.

Mount Aukum Winery stands at an elevation of 2,615 feet above sea level. The new winery is two stories and offers 6,000 square feet of indoor floor space with an additional covered outdoor work area of 2,000 square feet. The top floor contains the “Sierra Room” offering panoramic views of Amador, El Dorado and Sacramento Counties. The views are simply breathtaking. The Sierra Room will be available for weddings, dinners, special occasions, corporate and private functions. The bottom floor accommodates the tasting room and a large climate controlled barrel room. Here you will find some of the equipment of the winery. There are several white wine fermentation tanks, four 1,500 gallon red wine storage/fermentation tanks, and much more.

This newest addition to the El Dorado County wine scene is an effort by Lance Campbell Wine Maker, Wife, Brandie Campbell Tasting Room Manager / Special Events Coordinator, Scott Betton, Sales Manager and Kevin Hoelscher, Chief Financial Officer.

Lance and Brandie’s young daughter Chloe will undoubtedly be the grounds keeper and flower girl. The mascot of the winery is Pablo (named after Pablo Picasso). Pablo is a very loving and colorful canine.

The Winemaker, Lance Campbell came to Mount Aukum via the cellars of Sonoma. He learned the art of making fine wines while working at two of Sonoma’s most prominent wineries, gaining the discipline and skill required to produce wines of the highest quality. Mount Aukum Winery might be the newest on the block but Lance exhibits talents far beyond his years with his mature style of winemaking.

Mount Aukum has been producing wine since 2002 at other local wineries and Mount Aukum’s wines show great promise. Their first releases features an El Dorado Zinfandel harvested from three unique vineyards in El Dorado County. Small lot fermentations and careful blending created a rich wine. This quintessential Zin shows spicy bramble, black cherry and course black pepper flavors. Their second wine is an El Dorado Syrah. This mountain grown Syrah was harvested from a ridge-top vineyard above two thousand feet in El Dorado’s famous red soil. 100% barrel aging for 18 months in French Oak barrels adds notes of cedar, and toast to this plush, spicy Syrah. Their third release this year is an Old Vine Russian River Zinfandel, a wonderful wine giving briary aromas and offering the palate dense cherry and caramel tones with a lingering finish. Made from dry farmed grapes, this wine is an excellent representative of wines from the temperate climate of Sonoma County and exhibits intense varietal character.

Future wine offerings will also consist of Rhone style wines from the foothills including Petite Sirah, Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. So stay tuned for more great varietals that are sure to find their way to your table.

I would like to leave you with this suggestion. Like the vivid colors offered by a Claude Monet painting, you won’t want to miss the sunset viewed from Mount Aukum Winery.

Come See For Yourself! Opening Late Spring 2004. Open Wednesday through Sunday 11-5 p.m. Amenities include a beautiful tasting room with scenic views, outdoor picnicking, petanque courses, special events & meeting facilities, and guided tours.

For more information, including driving directions, call (530) 620-1675 or visit www.mountaukum.com.