One of the things that makes Folsom such an attractive place to live is its proximity to the many wineries in the Sierra Foothills. Within a half-hour’s drive, you can enjoy award-winning wines in Amador, El Dorado, and Placer counties. To say we’re spoiled for choice is an understatement!
But, despite the density of wineries and genuinely excellent wines adjacent to Folsom, up until recently, there had never been a locally judged wine event.
We set out to change that when we created the Foothill Wine Festa few years ago. Our goal? To showcase the best wines in the region, as judged by the experts, with awards for the best white, red, sparkling, and dessert wines.
Open to wines from the Sierra Foothills AVA, including Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, and Tuolumne, it’s become an annual event that attracts wineries and wine lovers from Greater Sacramento and beyond.
This year’s judges included media, sommeliers, and wine buyers from California and Nevada, including Tom Bender, who coordinates and judges wine competitions throughout California; Mike Dunne, a longtime Northern California-based wine journalist; Laura Ness, a wine journalist; and Carrie Boyle, a wine writer for Sacramento Magazine online.
Our panel of experienced all-star judges assessed just under 400 entries from 56 wineries this year. They awarded seven Best of Show awards, 32 Best of Region wines (the top competitors in each category of wines entered with a Gold and above), 90 Double Golds, 96 Gold, 201 Silver, and 80 Bronze medals!
But we wanted to take it further and celebrate our region’s exceptional wines. On November 8, I hope you join us at the Foothill Wine Fest, where we’ll celebrate all the wines that participated in the competition.
The event, to be held at Palladio Folsom, will feature tastes from award-winning Sierra Foothill wineries wines from over 30 wineries, including Best of Show winners Cielo Sulla Terra, Gwinllan Estate, Golden Leaves Vineyard & Winery, Inner Sanctum Cellars, Sobon Estate, and Jazz Cellars.
Whether you consider yourself an oenophile, are curious about what a Best of Show wine tastes like, or simply want to enjoy catching up with friends, you won’t want to miss it.
The evening will be an ideal balance of wine tasting and an opportunity to connect and reconnect with community members. I hope you’ll join me.
I highly recommend the VIP experience, which lets you to step into the action an hour early and be among the first to savor unlimited pours before the crowds arrive. The VIP ticket also includes a $10 Palladio dining card—perfect for continuing the evening at one of the many restaurants just steps away from the festival. It’s our way of treating you to an encore experience.
If you’re coming from outside Folsom, I invite you to book a wine weekend package. It includes 20% off two Wine Fest tickets, a $50 Palladio Gift Card, and a Welcome packet with goodies to kick off your weekend. It’s a terrific value and an opportunity to explore the region’s wineries.
An event like this doesn’t come together on its own. The Choose Folsom team has worked hard to ensure it’s a success. Thanks to all who have supported the event, including presenting sponsors Prime Real Estate and the Toll Brothers.
See the complete list of participating wineries and buy tickets atFoothillWineFest.com.
Joe Gagliardi is the CEO of Choose Folsom and the Folsom Chamber of Commerce. His commentary appears regularly in Folsom Times. Choose Folsom is a Chairman’s Circle Partner with the Chamber of Commerce.
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