"Yes Virginia, there is another wine region...." Spend a relaxing day/weekend discovering the splender and ambiance of California's foothill wineries, just an hour east of Sacramento. The wineries of El Dorado and Amador counties are one of California's best kept secrets. Enjoy meandering through small/ medium sized wineries, nestled in California's "gold country", where one can "taste" award winning wines , or picnic beneath the shade of Valley Oaks or in hilltop vinyards, or both. No long lines of "anxious" tourists, bottle-necked traffic, just delightful small, well staffed wineries whose priorities are to make all feel welcomed, honored guests . Tasting is free, unlike other Califiornia wine regions and the ambiance subline. Two of our favorite wineries are Story and Fitzpatrick's. The view of the surrounding valley and vineyards from Fitzpatrick's patio reminds one of awarding winning covers seen on The Wine Spector magazine. Fitzpatrick's is a family run winery and B&B nestled on one of the highest points in the small community of Fair Play. Taste some wine, buy some cheese and bread, then gaze at the the vines, the view, the sunset. You'll definitely want to make Fitzpatrick's your last stop of the day. Top off your tasting experience with their "Joyce's Preoccupation" dessert wine. Can life be much better? Yes! You'll find Storey Winery on Bell Road in Plymoth. Fill a basket with your favorite "picnic fare", buy a bottle of their chilled Rasberry (infused) Sparkling Wine or an award winning Zinfindel then splay your feast on tables surrounded by their hundred year old Zinfandel vineyard. If you are into wine and music Story sponsors a summer music outdoor concert series on Saturdays and Sundays June through September 3rd. It doesn't get any better than this! Cheers.