By Jacque Wilson

This year marks the 6^th annual release of wines at Pilot Peak Winery, one of the foothills premiers’ destination wineries.

The Penn Valley winery, on a hillside overlooking Pilot Peak, continues to offer varied events during the year.

To celebrate, the winery has expanded its signature, flower-filled terraces, relocated the dance floor and added colorful landscaping.

During the weekends, from noon to 5 p.m., Pilot Peak offers one of the most unique and complimentary wine tastings around – called “comparative tastings.”

Wines are served in flights of four with pairings, so you can compare and contrast the wines, as well as enjoy the marriage of food and wine.

The wines include Grenache Rose, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, LiVedo, Paramour, Syrah Port and Judges’ Choice Awards in the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle wine completion.

“At Pilot Peak, we believe wine should be experienced sitting down with food, family and friends in a beautiful setting,” says Nancy Stevens, co-owner. “We offer this opportunity to every visitor that comes to our winery.”

Saturday Sunsets at the Peak are a crowd favorite, with live local music and reasonably priced food prepared by local restaurants and caterers.  The Saturday event is from 6-10 p.m.

Pilot Peak helped lead the effort to open the Grass Valley Wine Company at 151 Mill Street in downtown Grass Valley.  “The new location offers access to our wines not only on weekends but during the week” says winemaker and co-owner Lynn Wilson.

“The best is yet to come” says Len Stevens, the fourth partner in winery.  It recently changed its name to Pilot Peak Winery Company and plans to offer micro brews at its locations in the future.

Jacque Wilson is a co-owner of Pilot Peak Winery

Pilot Peak Vineyard and Winery
12888 Spenceville Road
Penn Valley, CA 95946
530-432-3321
Website PilotPeak

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Located in the heart of Nevada City, we have one of the most unusual winery in Nevada County. Started in a garage like so many wineries have started, they went from a small garage to a much bigger one. Founded in 1980 in a small garage on the outskirts of town, in 1982 the Winery moved to its present location, the historic Miners Foundry Garage, on Spring St in downtown Nevada City. Remarkably, the Winery is located less than two blocks from where the original Nevada City Winery stood over a century ago.

The Winery was begun by Allan Haley, a Nevada County native with a European wine education and a dream of bringing winemaking back to our region. In 1880 there were over 300 acres of grapes in the County. In 1980 when the Winery opened there was one small vineyard, recently planted. Twenty years later there are again well over 300 acres of grapes and the wine industry is flourishing once more.

Over the years Nevada City Winery has been recognized with numerous awards, including Best Zinfandel, Best Cabernet Franc, Best Syrah and Best Cabernet Sauvignon for the Sierra Foothill Region, awarded by the California State Fair.

One of the things that makes Nevada City such a remarkable place is that it is filled with highly educated refugees from the urban world who choose to follow their interests rather than the brass ring. In spite of the hugely diverse backgrounds of the members of our team we all share a desire to live in a small community in the country and a passion.

If you are in Nevada City, stop by their tasting room at 321 Spring Street, Nevada City, CA 95959

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Lucchesi Vineyard

The Lucchesi Vineyard and Winery is located between Grass Valley and Cedar Ridge on a road called View Forever Lane. It’s an appropriate name, since the vineyard’s location does have some spectacular views.

The vineyard consists of 20 acres of steeply terraced terrain called the ‘View Forever Vineyard.’ Great care was taken in selecting the grape varieties and clones which are best suited to the soil. The southwestern exposure maximizes the sun’s rays, perfectly ripening the fruit with concentrated flavor, color and texture.

The vineyard is owned by Mario and Linda Clough. The name Clough is an adopted name, for Mario’s real name is Lucchesi. In honor of his heritage he named the wines after his original family name.

Along with the vineyards, there is a tasting room in downtown Grass Valley at the corner of Mill Street and Neal Street, right next to the Del Oro Theater. You can see their featured white wines at Lucchesi White Wines and their red wines at Lucchesi Red Wines

You can visit their website at Lucchesi Vineyards

Location of the vineyard:

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To get to the tasting room:

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