53-668: El Dorado is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in El Dorado County , California , east of the state’s capital, Sacramento and centered around the county seat of Placerville . It was established on November 14, 1983 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) , Treasury after approving the submitted petition from the El Dorado Wine Grape Growers Association of Camino, California applying to establish
106-418: A clay racing surface around the perimeter of the football field, Warren Jewitt and Bruno Romani created what was originally known as "Hangtown Speedway". Auto racing took place here for the first time on June 18, 1965. Since 1965, Placerville Speedway has hosted several racing divisions. The track was cut out of a hillside, giving it higher banking, and covered with a dark red clay racing surface. Placerville
159-661: A few stops in between. Placerville is served by the Placerville Airport . A "Good Neighbor" airport (one that takes measures for noise abatement), it has a 4,200-foot-long (1,300 m) runway, but is not currently served by any commercial air transport. Placerville has many old buildings from the Gold Rush days. A walk down Main Street also reveals many historical markers, signifying spots of certain events or persons of importance during this period. Placerville
212-407: A gradual decline resulting from numerous national economic downturns in agriculture, a diminishing local population and ultimately Prohibition closed the remaining wineries. Between 1920 and 1960, viticulture virtually disappeared from the county. It was until the late 1960s that wine growing made a resurgence when only 11 acres (4 ha) were devoted to wine grapes in the entire county. Following
265-518: A large stone column holding a glass and metal "torch" known as "The Druid Monument", commemorating the Order's inception there 1860. The City of Placerville is currently attempting to repave the roundabout containing the monument, possibly removing it permanently in the process—a proposal that has divided the community. Over the years many influential people had shops in Placerville, mostly along
318-416: A minimum of 32.5 °F (0.3 °C). Average July temperatures are a maximum of 92.7 °F (33.7 °C) and a minimum of 57.2 °F (14.0 °C). Annually, there are an average of 65.7 days with highs of 90 °F (32 °C) or higher and 61.3 mornings with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower. The record high temperature was 114 °F (46 °C) on July 4, 1911. The record low temperature
371-414: A more favorable growing climate. Indian summer with cool nights and warm days extends the growing season into October. Little rainfall occurs until late October and November. Thus, the area is cooled by elevation rather than by the fog that is common to the coastal regions. Therefore, the grapes receive more direct sunlight, thus ripening fully without retaining excess herbaceous characters or acidity that
424-520: A more friendly name be bestowed upon the town. The name was not changed until 1854 when the City of Placerville was incorporated , taking the name from the local placer gold deposits . At its incorporation, Placerville was the third largest town in California. In 1857, the county seat was then moved from Coloma to Placerville, where it remains today. The town's first post office opened in 1850. In 1871,
477-570: A museum with tours and books. The Sacramento and Placerville Railroad , (later part of the Southern Pacific Railroad ) had a branch line that extended from Folsom to Placerville. The track was abandoned in the 1980s and is now used by heritage railroads. The Camino, Placerville and Lake Tahoe Railroad (now abandoned) also operated an eight-mile (thirteen-kilometer) shortline that operated between Camino, California , and Placerville until June 17, 1986. The track right-of-way
530-643: A small portion of northeastern California Shenandoah Valley AVAs. The El Dorado region was originally inhabited by the Maidu , Nisenan , Washoe and Miwok indigenous tribes . In the early 18th century, European and American mountain men were drawn to the abundance of game in the Sierra wilderness. Prospectors were attracted by the untouched ore-rich geology in the Sierra foothills. The Spaniards settled in California, but did not settle in El Dorado and neither did
583-860: A viticultural area named "El Dorado.” The area includes parts of El Dorado County on the north border by the Middle Fork American River and on the south by the South Fork of the Cosumnes River . El Dorado viticultural area lies within the vast 4,062 square miles (2,600,000 acres) Sierra Foothills viticultural area, one of the largest appellations in California, which extends about 170 miles (274 km) through portions of Yuba , Nevada , Placer , El Dorado , Amador , Calaveras , Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties. The El Dorado viticultural area encompasses 1,093,120 acres (1,708 sq mi) which entirely includes Fair Play and
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#1732788085753636-643: A wine is labeled with an AVA, at least 85% of the grapes that make up the wine must have been grown in the AVA, and the wine must be fully finished within the state where the AVA is located. The boundaries of AVAs are defined by the Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), a component of the United States Department of the Treasury . The TTB defines AVAs at the request of wineries and other petitioners . Prior to
689-401: A wine to be labeled with a state or county appellation, at least 75% of the grapes used to make the wine must have been grown within the boundary of the appellation, and the wine must be fully finished within the state in which the appellation is located. Some states have more stringent rules, such as California , which requires 100% of the grapes used to make the wine be from California and that
742-590: Is El Dorado's "Terroir." The area has more than 2,000 acres (809 ha) under vine where over 32 different varietals are planted, and is home to approximately 50 to 60 boutique or small production wineries. Wine grape growers in the region produce a diversity of varietals, most notable are Zinfandel , Barbera , Cabernet Sauvignon , Merlot and Petite Sirah . A significant culture of Rhône varietals have been cultivated in El Dorado for many decades including significant crops of Viognier, Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache. There are at least four distinct micro-regions within
795-533: Is a city in and the county seat of El Dorado County, California , United States. The population was 10,747 as of the 2020 census, up from 10,389 as of the 2010 census. It is part of the Sacramento – Arden-Arcade – Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area . A former Maidu settlement called Indak was located at the site of the town. After the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in nearby Coloma, California , by James W. Marshall in 1848 sparked
848-533: Is a designated wine grape -growing region in the United States , providing an official appellation for the mutual benefit of wineries and consumers. Winemakers frequently want their consumers to know about the geographic pedigree of their wines, as wines from a particular area can possess distinctive characteristics. Consumers often seek out wines from specific AVAs, and certain wines of particular pedigrees can claim premium prices and loyal customers. If
901-467: Is a part of the Lincoln Highway . El Dorado Transit runs public bus service, both local routes connecting Placerville to other populated areas on the western slope and weekday commuter service to/from Sacramento, including the 20 bus to Iron Point Station . Amtrak Thruway 20C provides a daily connection to Sacramento Valley Station to the west, and South Lake Tahoe to the east, with
954-478: Is becoming a center for wine production. The wine region is officially designated as the El Dorado AVA . The largest wineries in the area are Boeger, Lava Cap and Madroña, but most of the 30 plus wineries surrounding Placerville are family owned and smaller in wine grape and wine production. The region is "renown[ed] for making vibrantly flavorful, distinctly delicious wines, grown in the dramatic elevations of
1007-543: Is home to the Mountain Democrat , the oldest continuously published newspaper in California, and Marshall Medical Center. Placerville is served by two major highways. California State Route 49 runs north and south, connecting the city with the other major communities in the Sierra Nevada foothills. U.S. Route 50 heads west to Sacramento and east to South Lake Tahoe . This portion of U.S. Route 50
1060-486: Is not always the case. See map on the right showing the outline of the Paso Robles AVA , California's largest in total area, and the eleven distinct AVAs contained within it. In 2018, the second session of the 115th Congress recognized the contribution of American Viticultural Areas to the economy. The Blunt-Merkley Resolution passed unanimously. It noted that an AVA allows vintners to describe more accurately
1113-469: Is now a 37-mile hiking and biking path that connects the city of Folsom, California to the town of Camino with plans to extend the trail across the entire El Dorado county and eventually to Lake Tahoe. Placerville is now registered as California Historical Landmark #701. Placerville's logo featured a hangman's noose, in reference to the town's history as "Hangtown", until 2021, when the town council voted to remove it. An earlier proposal to redesign
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#17327880857531166-412: Is out of balance with the fruit flavors. The relatively cool fall temperatures also allow the grapes a long "hang time" for uniform ripening. Approximately 32 varietals ranging from Gewürztraminer, which does best in the higher and cooler portions of the county, to Zinfandel and Barbera, which ripen perfectly in warmer climates. In conjunction with the climate, there are three basic soil types determining
1219-484: The California Gold Rush , the small town now known as Placerville was known as Dry Diggin's after the manner in which the miners moved cartloads of dry soil to run water to separate the gold from the soil. Later in 1849, the town earned its most common historical name, Hangtown , because of the numerous hangings that had occurred there. However, there is debate on exactly how many lynchings occurred in
1272-530: The Cole Ranch AVA in Mendocino County , California, at only 60 acres (24 ha). The Augusta AVA , which occupies the area around the town of Augusta, Missouri , was the first recognized AVA, gaining the status on June 20, 1980. There are currently 276 AVAs spread across 34 states, with over half (154) in California. An AVA may be located within one or more larger AVAs. For example,
1325-751: The Mexicans . In 1848, the California Gold Rush began with James W. Marshall discovering gold at Sutter's Mill on the South Fork American River in Coloma . As a result, the name "El Dorado" was derived from the Spanish word for "The Gilded One." El Dorado was one of the 27 original counties , in 1850, when California became the 31st state admitted into the Union . As the gold-seeking migrants raced to California to seek their fortunes,
1378-591: The Placerville Union Cemetery was founded by a group of fraternal organizations, and it holds the graves of many of the city founders. Placerville was a central hub for the Mother Lode region's mining operations. The town had many services, including transportation (of people and goods), lodging, banking, and had a market and general store. The history of hard-rock mining is evidenced by an open and accessible Gold Bug Park & Mine, now
1431-660: The Santa Clara Valley AVA and Livermore Valley AVA are located within the boundaries of the San Francisco Bay AVA , which is itself located within the Central Coast AVA . In such cases, the wine may be labeled with any of the relevant AVAs, but winemakers generally label wines with the most specific AVA allowed for each wine. Smaller AVAs are often perceived to be associated with smaller production and higher quality wines, though this
1484-703: The Joint Powers Authority consisting of Sacramento County, Folsom, and El Dorado County. The line is being converted to a hiking and biking trail, with over 12 miles of the rail line now paved as a Class 1 biking route. Placerville is the home of United Ancient Order of Druids of California Grove No. 1, which was established in 1860 as the first Druid hall in California. It was reinstated in 2017–18, along with several other historical fraternal societies. Main Street Placerville features
1537-540: The Sierra Nevada." The area is increasingly a center for sophisticated production of Rhone style wines, noted by El Dorado County having a local chapter of the Rhone Rangers winemaker association. Formerly known as Anderson Field, the arena and main grandstand that is now known as Placerville Speedway was originally built by the El Dorado County Fair during the winter months of 1956. Constructing
1590-772: The TTB regulations (27 C.F.R. § 9.12) prescribes the standards for petitions for the establishment or modification of AVAs. Petitions to establish an AVA must include the following: Once a petition is accepted as complete, the TTB may choose to seek public input on the proposal and at its sole discretion may approve the proposed AVA. Before the AVA system, wine appellations of origin in the United States were designated based on state or county boundaries. All of these appellations were grandfathered into federal regulations and may appear on wine labels as designated places of origin in lieu of an AVA, such as Sonoma County . In order for
1643-468: The TTB's creation in 2003, the Treasury’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) received and handled petitions for viticultural areas, wine production and labeling. Section 4.25(e)(2) of the regulations (27 C.F.R. § 4.25(e)(2)) outlines the procedure for proposing an AVA and provides that any interested party may petition the TTB to establish a grape-growing region as an AVA. Section 9.12 of
El Dorado AVA - Misplaced Pages Continue
1696-459: The area where the vineyards/wineries are located with their unique terroir and character: Greater El Dorado, Apple Hill / Camino, Pleasant Valley and Fair Play. 38°46′47″N 120°53′33″W / 38.77970050°N 120.89239231°W / 38.77970050; -120.89239231 This wine region article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . American Viticultural Area An American Viticultural Area ( AVA )
1749-439: The characteristics of the region: fine-grained volcanic rock , decomposed granite and fine-grained shale . El Dorado viticultural area is located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains . It is dominated by steeply dipping, faulty and folded metamorphic rocks that have been intruded by igneous rocks . Overlaying the bedrock in many places are mantels of river gravel and volcanic debris. The soils of
1802-514: The city range from 1,800 feet (550 m) to nearly 4,000 feet (1,200 m). According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 5.8 square miles (15 km ), over 99% of it land. Placerville has cool, frequently wet winters and hot, dry summers, creating a typically Californian Mediterranean climate ( Köppen Csa ). Average January temperatures are a maximum of 53.4 °F (11.9 °C) and
1855-423: The development of several experimental vineyards, it became apparent that the topography, climate and soil of El Dorado County were ideally suited to a quality viticulture industry producing excellent wine. With the opening of Boeger Winery in 1973, El Dorado was again on its way to becoming renown as a wine producing region. Other wineries such as Madrona, Sierra Vista, and Lava Cap were also early pioneers developing
1908-413: The growing industry centered around the town of Placerville and on the surrounding slopes. The El Dorado County viticulture business has since grown steadily for decades. El Dorado appellation is unique due to its high elevation and complex topography. Its mountain vineyards are perched high above the large Central Valley near sea level. El Dorado lies in the 360 miles (579 km) foothill “belt” of
1961-498: The hangman's platform that was used for public hangings along with a commemorative mannequin ("George") hanging from a noose above the Old Hangman's Tree (now an ice cream parlor). The dummy enjoyed a brief hiatus when town officials attempted to freshen up the town's image before returning due to popular demand. In 2015 the dummy was stolen. It has since been replaced. In April 2021, the city council agreed unanimously to remove
2014-485: The historic and revered vineyards are planted at and above 2,000 feet (610 m). Coastal mountains may have vineyard elevations of 200 to 1,500 feet (61–457 m), where El Dorado vineyards tend to start at 1,200 to 3,500 feet (366–1,067 m) or even higher for some vineyards. The higher average elevation of El Dorado, as opposed to the lower foothill areas, and the Central Valley guarantees it
2067-589: The logo had been rejected in 2020. Placerville has several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places ; several are noted below. Placerville is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills where U.S. Route 50 crosses State Route 49 . It is the location of three traffic signals along U.S. Route 50, which is otherwise a freeway . Downtown Placerville is about 1,867 feet (569 m) above sea level, while unincorporated areas of
2120-477: The noose from the city's logo. Placerville is home to the legendary dish known as the " Hangtown fry " which includes eggs, bacon, and oysters. There are multiple legends regarding the origin, but all stories agree that Placerville is the place of origin. The Southern Pacific Transportation Company branch line was purchased from the Union Pacific in 1996 for $ 14 million (~$ 25.1 million in 2023) by
2173-511: The north-central Sierra Nevada mountains where vineyards primarily are at elevations between 600 to 3,500 feet (183–1,067 m) above sea level . The viticultural area benefits from cool air drainage that flows down the mountain slopes toward the valleys pushing hotter air off the vineyards creating diverse micro-climates and growing conditions not found in other regions in the Central Valley or coastal mountain areas. Some of
El Dorado AVA - Misplaced Pages Continue
2226-491: The origin of their wine, while helping vintners to build and enhance the reputation and value of the wines produced. AVAs also allow consumers to attribute a given quality, reputation, or other characteristic to a wine made from grapes grown in an AVA. AVAs also help consumers identify what they purchase. Placerville, California Placerville ( / ˈ p l æ s ər v ɪ l / , PLASS -ər-vil ; placer , Spanish for "sand deposit" and ville , French for "town")
2279-644: The population) lived in households, 131 (1.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 470 (4.5%) were institutionalized. There were 4,129 households, out of which 1,254 (30.4%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 1,607 (38.9%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 604 (14.6%) had a female householder with no husband present, 250 (6.1%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 327 (7.9%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 31 (0.8%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 1,306 households (31.6%) were made up of individuals, and 599 (14.5%) had someone living alone who
2332-729: The population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 4,765 people (45.9%) lived in rental housing units. In the California State Legislature , Placerville is in the 1st Senate District , represented by Republican Brian Dahle , and the 5th Assembly District , represented by Republican Joe Patterson . In the United States House of Representatives , Placerville is in California's 5th congressional district , represented by Republican Tom McClintock . The region east of Placerville, popularly known as Apple Hill and Pleasant Valley,
2385-399: The region are magma based with high levels of acidity. Varying in elevation and topography, each soil offers good drainage and the nutrients needed to encourage vines producing rich, deeply flavored grapes. The unique combination of climate, soil and topography found in the El Dorado appellation produces wines of distinction, depth and density with a maturity unmatched in other regions. This
2438-406: The region's viticulture destiny was taking root becoming the state's oldest wine-producing region. By 1870, El Dorado County was among the largest wine producers in the state, trailing only Los Angeles and Sonoma counties. The county's viticulture industry flourished with 28 principal wineries and approximately 2,100 acres (850 ha) under vine. By the turn of the century, El Dorado experienced
2491-424: The town. The town had no police force (in 1849) and five immigrants attempted robbery of a Mexican gambler. Of the five immigrants, two Frenchmen and one Chilean were known wanted men, and they were not given any trial, instead they were hanged on an oak tree on Main Street by a mob. The name "Hangtown" stuck after that event. By about 1850, the temperance league and a few local churches had begun to request that
2544-699: The wine be fully finished within the state. Washington requires 95% of the grapes in a Washington wine be grown in Washington, although notably the Columbia Valley AVA , Columbia Gorge AVA , and Walla Walla Valley AVA are shared with Oregon. AVAs vary widely in size, ranging from the Upper Mississippi River Valley AVA , at more than 19 million acres (29,900 square miles (77,000 km )) across four states ( Illinois , Iowa , Minnesota , and Wisconsin ), to
2597-430: Was 40.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males. There were 4,541 housing units at an average density of 781.2 per square mile (301.6/km ), of which 4,129 were occupied, of which 2,160 (52.3%) were owner-occupied, and 1,969 (47.7%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.5%; the rental vacancy rate was 7.8%. 5,023 people (48.3% of
2650-672: Was 6.22 inches (158 mm) on February 14, 2000. Although snowfall is rare in Placerville, heavy amounts often fall in the mountains east of the city. The 2010 United States Census reported that Placerville had a population of 10,389. The population density was 1,787.3 inhabitants per square mile (690.1/km ). The racial makeup of Placerville was 8,716 (83.9%) White , 80 (0.8%) African American , 162 (1.6%) Native American , 98 (0.9%) Asian , 13 (0.1%) Pacific Islander , 867 (8.3%) from other races , and 453 (4.4%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1,863 persons (17.9%). The Census reported that 9,788 people (94.2% of
2703-417: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37. There were 2,461 families (59.6% of all households); the average family size was 2.97. The population was spread out, with 2,277 people (21.9%) under the age of 18, 972 people (9.4%) aged 18 to 24, 2,468 people (23.8%) aged 25 to 44, 2,831 people (27.2%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,841 people (17.7%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age
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#17327880857532756-470: Was 8 °F (−13.3 °C) on December 9, 1972. Average annual rainfall in Placerville is 38.11 inches (968.0 mm). There are an average of 66 days with measurable rain. The wettest calendar year was 1983 with 74.55 inches (1,893.6 mm) and the driest 1976 with 11.85 inches (301 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 23.29 inches (591.6 mm) in December 1955. The most rainfall in 24 hours
2809-521: Was also on the line of the Pony Express , a short-lived mail carrier service that connected California to the Midwest and East (basically from Sacramento to St. Joseph, Missouri ). Historically, Placerville was often referred to by the name "Hangtown," because of the 3 unfortunates that were hung after being caught for cattle rustling by locals. Those traveling in the area can still see the site of
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