Tuolumne County is an AVA in the southern portion of the larger Sierra Foothills AVA in California. The warm climate and long growing season here produce some rustic, full-bodied red wines made from Sangiovese, Aglianico and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tuolumne County enjoys a similar terroir to much of the wider Sierra Foothills AVA. The county of Mariposa can be found on the southern border, while Calaveras County is in the north. The eastern portion of the county is covered by Yosemite National Park, a World Heritage site.
©Gianelli Vineyards
The county seat is the historic city of Sonora, first established by Mexican gold miners during the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. Wine growing here flourished at this time, but in the 1920s, it was halted by Prohibition.
The county's westernmost border is 105 miles (170km) from the San Francisco coast, making it one of the most inland AVAs in California. The fog and ocean winds that cool the vineyards of Sonoma and Napa do not make it this far inland. Rather, Tuolumne County's cooling influences come from cold mountain air that flows down from the Sierra Nevada mountains. This, combined with altitudes of up to 4000ft (1200m) above sea level, contributes to the diurnal temperature shift experienced in the vineyards. Warm, sunny days are followed by cold nights, giving grapes a longer growing season and ensuring a balance between ripeness and acidity.
Vineyards are planted on a variety of slopes with well-drained, rocky soils. These dry soils are excellent for the production of quality grapes – the dearth of water ensures reduced grape vigor and low yields, leading to more-concentrated flavors in the wines.
While winemaking in Tuolumne County is still relatively small-scale, the AVA is considered up-and-coming and has considerable potential. Along with traditional Italian varieties, Syrah and Zinfandel can be found planted throughout the county.
