Bella Grace Winery: Classic California Gold Country Wine In Amador County

Amador County is home to some of the great California wines we enjoy. Bella Grace Vineyards is one of those creators of consequential Vino. From whites to red’s they have it all. From Chardonnay, Viognier to Prosucco all the way to Cabernet, Zinfandel, Barbera and Syrah they create 34 labels of wine.

The family-run operation owned by Michael & Charlie Havil and their three sons is nestled in the Shanandoah Valley area near Plymouth, California. Their elevation at 1,600 feet provides hills, terroir & temperatures producing quality red grape for 44 wineries in the valley.

They have two tasting rooms, one at their estate and the other in the small historic town of Sutter Creek. The towns around it are the epicenter of California’s Gold Rush in the 1850s. While you are taking a break from wine tasting, visit their mines, museums and historic relics throughout the region.

We tasted at their satellite tasting room, a beautiful garden surrounding a historic gold rush era home turned tasting space. It’s located on Main Street in the historic downtown.

Our host Sherry is a veteran of the industry (along with her husband) and moved to the rolling hills of gold country to enjoy the wide open spaces. She was knowledgeable and gracious, leding us on a wonderful tasting.

Here’s what we tasted:

2017 Old Vine Zinfandel $30 ✰/✰+

2017 Primitivo $38 ✰+/✰++ (90pts)

2018 ‘1646’ (red blend) $30 ✰++ (91pts)

2020 Amador Barbera $33 ✰+/✰++ (91pts)

2020 Reserve Zinfandel $58 ✰/✰++ (92pts)

2014 Vino Doce (Syrah, 7 years French oak) ✰+  

Many a wine afficionado dreams of creating wine of their own. But few understand the challenges of the industry with the work involved in farming grape, producing wine and then selling it direct to consumer. These are all major challenges Charlie and Michael pursued when they purchase their 50 acres in 2006. They’ve succeeded. And you owe it to yourself to visit this area and their winery or some great California wine.

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Some notes on our wine ranking system.

Bill & Erin Hodge write about California Wine, the estates & winemakers producing them and educational information about Vino. Living in California Wine Country provides a front row seat to the places you want to visit the most here in the Golden State.

– -✰  means -What’s next on your list of wines
-✰  means -Not liking it too much
✰ means  -We’ll drink this wine, especially if it’s hosted!
✰+ means -You’ve got our attention and we might buy this wine.
✰+ + means -We’re hooked and we’re going to buy this wine.
When you see -✰/✰+  with a slash, it means we disagree.