1. Michael David Winery, Home of 7 Deadly Zins - Lodi, Calif.
Rising from the resurgent Lodi Appellation, Michael~David Vineyards produces some of the finest award-winning varietal wines in California. They are six generations of winegrowers specializing in hand-crafted Rhone varietals as well as Lodi's famous Old Vine Zinfandels. Their tasting room, café and farmer's fresh market are located just 30 minutes south of Sacramento and one hour east of the Bay Area. Their Web site contains a full menu of wines available.

Recommended wine: Earthquake Cab
Web site: lodivineyards.com

2. Stama Vineyards - Lodi, Calif.
The Kapiniaris Family has grown wine grapes and has made wine for more than five generations. With their family's early cultivating practices and wine making techniques in Greece, Konstantino Kapiniaris, the youngest of six siblings, was fortunate to bring his family's passion to the wine grape growing region of Lodi, Calif. Enjoy a quaint wine tasting atmosphere and personal customer service from the owners. Currently, the varietals bottled by Stama are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, White Zinfandel, Old Vine Zinfandel, Syrah/Zinfandel Blend.

Recommended wine: Old Vine Zin and the Almond Champagne
Web site: stamawinery.com

3. Twisted Oak - Murphys, Calif.
Twisted Oak is a must on any wine tasting trip, serving a healthy dose of fun with its lovely wines. Rubber chickens hang from trees and whimsical signs mark the road as visitors make their way to winery. Jeff and Mary (last name) found 120 acres just outside Murphys in the Sierra Foothills at nearly 2000 feet elevation and planted 10 acres of vineyards in Tempranillo,Grenache, Graciano, and Garnacha to take advantage of the continental Mediterranean soil types and climate. It is on top of this property, with an amazing view of the Sierras, where the state-of-the-art, four-level gravity flow winery was built. When completed in 2004 it included open tank, stainless steel fermenters along with its own 300-foot barrel cave.The wines being produced in Calaveras County are now being referred to as the "darlings" of the wines.

Featured Hooch (their words): Is a rich blend of 62 percent Marsanne and 38 percent Roussanne
Web site: twistedaok.com

4. Chatom Vineyards - Murphys, Calif.
The vineyard is nestled in the beautiful Esmeralda Valley of Calaveras County. The Sierra Foothill region is now experiencing a resurgence of accolades, with the "Gold Rush" coming from medals and awards for handcrafted wines of the highest quality and recognition for grape growing.

Wine recommendation: 2004 Cabernet and 2004 Zinfandel, as well as the Wine Brittle, made exclusively for Chatom.
Web site: chatomvineyards.com

5. Indian Rock Vineyard - Murphys, Calif.
Indian Rock Vineyards boasts approximately 40 acres of premium vines, including 14 different varietals, making it one the most diverse vineyards in the area. They are bottling 15 different wines this year. Come for their free barbecue every Saturday and picnic next to their trout pond. Sample their incredible pork sausage made exclusively for Indian Rock.

Wine recommendation: Tawny Port
Web site: indianrockvineyards.com

6. Zucca, Mountain Vineyards - Downtown Murphys, Calif.
Visit their unique grotto-like tasting room in the cellar of a 150 year old historic building located at 425 East Main St. The Zuccas are not only the owners but the winemakers as well. Their small shop boasts three levels, with one gift shop and two wine tasting rooms.

Wine recommendation: Sorprendere 2005 (Ask the Zuccas how to pronounce the name!) a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Barbera. You'll love this big, smooth wine!
Web site: zuccawines.com