Borjón Winery • Plymouth, CA
The Shenandoah Valley AVA is an adorable little wine region in the Sierra Foothills of California about 40 miles east of Sacramento. It is scenic and the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon or even a weekend sightseeing and drinking wine.
Borjón Winery is a perfect example of the small, adorable family style wineries that polkadot the hillsides all throughout this area. The area is growing and developing for sure but the small, family, boutique wineries is the name of the game here.
As you pull off the highway, you first glimpse the actual working winery building which I think they refer to as “la cava.” It’s a big “cave” so its hard to miss and a good landmark. Landmarks in this neck of the woods is a good thing as its easy to get lost on many of the small winding roads up here. Once though the gate, the Spanish style grounds reveal themselves full of set stone and pebble and well manicured gardens. I”m sure the Spanish style grounds reflect the Mexican heritage of the owners of the winery. There is something you don’t hear everyday in the wine world. I think there is some French roots in there somewhere as well. You’ll have to ask when you drop by.
As you approach the tasting room. I had to stop and stare. They have the greatest little small, tree covered patio that looks like a fantastic place to spend a “bottle of wine or so” enjoying good conversation with a few good friends.
The Borjón tasting room is a converted Spanish style farm house. It looks cozy and inviting. The decor inside is nicely done and welcoming. This is not a huge Napa style tasting room so I wouldn’t suggest Borjón for a location to stop for larger groups or bachelorette parties. However, what a great spot for a few couples looking for an intimate tasting. The day I was out, the tasting staff was a younger crew. They possessed good knowledge of the wines and about the property. As is typical of most foothill wineries, they definitely lacked the snobbery that can be associated with wine tasting. Always a refreshing thing. The hard sell isn’t their objective at Borjón. They want you to have a good experience on their property.
While I was in the tasting room, I noticed lots of regulars coming by for wine club pick ups as well as others that seemed to be on a first name basis with the staff and just stopped in for a glass. Hot tip! When locals drop by for a glass with tons of good wineries in all directions, that’s the signal to stop. Glad I did. I think I will have to go back and ask to take a peek in “la cava” and have a glass on that great patio.”
11270 Shenandoah Road
Plymouth, CA 95669
info@borjonwinery.com
How to get there:
Head East on HWY 50 from Downtown Sacramento. Shortly after leaving the city center, exit HWY 50 on Power Inn Road/Howe Avenue. Head South (R) on Howe Avenue and make a quick left on Folsom Blvd/HWY 16. Follow HWY 16/Jackson Highway for almost 40 miles to the town of Amador. In the center of town, turn right on Shenandoah Road. Shenandoah veers left and enters Amador’s wine country. Borjón is just over 4 miles down the road on the right.
