Amador County | The Good Life ~ Sacramento

The Good Life ~ Sacramento

Exploring a City with a Small-Town Feel and World of Potential

Archive for Amador County

Short Drive Yields Wine, Gardens, Views

February 13, 2012 at 6:04 pm · Filed under Adult Fun, Agriculture, Amador County, Gold Rush Towns, Nature, Rural, Scenery, Scenic Drives, Wine Festivals, Wine Tasting, Wineries

Old Barn, Rural Sacramento

Escaping civilization for a few hours is not hard to do when in the lively city center of Sacramento. Or perhaps you’re not escaping as much as going toward something different for a little while… But one thing’s for certain: The land of the free – where time seems to stand still and Mother Nature is easier to acquaint with – is always within reach. And there’s hardly any closer than Jackson Hwy/Hwy 16.

Within minutes you’ll find buildings and subdivisions fading away as you drive toward the foothills, seeing a dotted mix of old factories, nurseries and fruit stands that soon give way to large pastures and farm houses. The drive quiets to a lull as you approach the lowest hills, the foliage bursting open to greet you as you pass the old Sloughouse Inn to Davis Ranch. A working farm and large outdoor market, Davis Ranch is perhaps best known for sweet corn in the summer (The Corn Festival is held in July).

Continuing along Jackson Hwy. you’ll reach the town of Plymouth, which is the main portal to 34-and-counting Sierra Foothill wineries. With excellent red varietals like Sangiovese and Zinfandel – and equally tantalizing views – the area is coined by many to be “The New Napa”. If you’re around in June, stop in for the 2nd Annual Barbera Festival at Cooper’s Ranch. For 360-degree views of the (slightly snow-capped) Sierras, drive a little farther up to Skinner Vineyards and take a picnic – and camera – with you. If you choose to go right at the fork rather than straight, springtime is the time to visit the Amador Flower Farm and Daffodil Hill in charming gold rush-era towns.

You may find that setting out on the open road for a few hours is just enough time to return refreshed and ready for dinner, as well as enjoy that bottle of red that’s perfectly ripe and ready for the un-corking.

http://www.DavisRanchProduce.com
http://www.AmadorWine.com
http://www.TourAmador.com
http://www.AmadorFlowerFarm.com
http://www.BarberaFestival.com
http://www.SkinnerVineyards.com

[see photos of Skinner and Karmere Wineries to the right]

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About ‘The Good Life, Sacramento’

There is something special about Sacramento; the rich land upon which it was built, the rivers that flow through, the bounty around it and the people who make the Sacramento area their home. Life is good in California’s Capital City for many reasons, including climate and geography, community and amenities, nature and wildlife, and so much more. It’s hard to imagine a warmer feeling than a sunshine-drenched morning here, an easier feeling than a refreshing post-rain spring day, or a more engaging experience than a night on the town with friends or family. There’s truly something here for everyone and every mood, for Sacramento is a shifting entity itself, with four distinct but relatively mild seasons, diverse neighborhoods and people, a ripening food and restaurant scene, year-round events and outdoor fun, and daytime and night-time adventures. Its magic is a blend of history and tradition, vision and reinvention. And there’s so much pleasure to be had here – with family and friends, food and wine, adventures and experiences – that they’re likely to create the kind of fond memories that might seem so familiar… but aren’t quite like any other.