Late summer is a splendid time to visit the wineries of Amador County, in the heart of California’s historic Sierra Foothills wine region. Visitors can observe preparations for the coming grape harvest season while soaking in the beautiful Sierra Foothills scenery and enjoying numerous summer- themed events.

Among them is the Wild?ower Festival at the Kirkwood Mountain Resort; the annual Spaghetti Western in Plymouth (attendees dress in their best western wear to compete for costume prizes while dancing to live music and savoring delicious food and wine); and a Road Rally and Barbecue Dinner sponsored by Amador’s School House Road wineries. There also are farmers markets every Thursday night in Plymouth and concerts and special sales at several wineries.

Late summer is also a wonderful season for spending a relaxing weekend at one of Amador’s many delightful bed-and-breakfast inns, which offer unsur- passed comfort and hospitality. When you’re not busy wine tasting, you can visit excellent museums, art galleries and antique shops in the small towns of Jackson, Sutter Creek, Amador City, and Volcano, as well as savoring special attractions like the Sutter Gold Mine, the Amador Flower Farm, and Chaw-See Indian Grinding Rock State Park. For the recreationally minded, there’s boating, ?shing, hiking, biking and golf.