Elevation Matters

Staggering views, fabulous wines, and wonderful hosts.

2615 feet is the altitude of the vineyards at Mount Aukum Winery in California's El Dorado County - a region long famous for Zinfandel and more recently gaining a name for the cultivation of Rhone and Italian varietals. At 2615, the air is clear, the Central Valley below is covered with fog, and the mighty Sierra Nevada lifts its snowy peaks just an arm's length away.

Vines cling to the hillsides here between outcroppings of crumbling granite in a perfect world for wine grapes - a little red dirt here, a rocky drainage there - what the experts call "Holland Series", thirty-six inches deep. Days are sunny and nights are crisp on Mount Aukum.

It's all about the mountain.

"A must-stop is Mount Aukum Winery, where I liked the fruity, moderately rich Viognier and a spicy Syrah. The 3-year-old tasting room, perched atop 2,615-foot Mount Aukum, has knockout views of the Sierra, Sacramento and Mount Diablo."  Linda Murphy, SFGate.com, Sunday, March 25, 2007

Within the rugged sub-appellation of Fair Play ("Wines with Altitude"), Mount Aukum uses its own hillside vineyards as well as sourcing fruit from the same growers who nurtured the explosion of Zinfandel's fame in the Sierra foothills. Winemaker Lance Campbell has the soul of a "garagiste" with the solid foundation of winemaking skills learned from the ground up, and backs his signature El Dorado County Zinfandel with a changing kaleidoscope of superb single varietal Rhone offerings made one hundred and sixty cases at a time. 2615 is the source and the refuge , the goal and the inspiration, the altimeter reading at the tasting room door and the name of the already flourishing wine club.

Come visit.  Mount Aukum Winery is elevating the experience of wine in El Dorado County. We offer so much more than fantastic wines.  Enjoy the panoramic views that extend from Mount Diablo and the Sacramento skyline to the West ... and to the Lake Tahoe Sierras to the East.

Our philosophy is to produce exceptional wines of intense varietal character.  In addition, we happily cater to special events and weddings.  Feel free to sample our exquisite wines while taking in our breathtaking views, and enjoy picnicking or a petanque game with friends and family.  You won't be disappointed!

Explore this website for more information on our wines and clubs ... or to order online.