Chevalier Winery (Back to Previous Page)

Appellation: El Dorado Viticultural Area Location: 2530 Pleasant Valley Rd. Placerville, California 94667 Phone: (530)677-1676 Winemaker: Pierre Chevalier Tasting Room: Small Days/Hours: Sat and Sun, 12:00 to 5:00 Parking: Small Picnic Facilities: Picnic Tables in the Vineyard Red Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Red Wine Blend - Ameritage White Wines: Sauvignon Blanc Production: 800 cases
Map

The Winery

Chevalier Winery is located about 4 miles from Highway 50 outside of the little town of Shingle Springs. The drive to the winery takes you through scenic rolling foothills covered with towering blue oaks and gray pines. The winery itself is built into a sloping hillside in a microclimate that belies its elevation. Across from the winery was once located one of the first commercial wineries in northern California, Watkins Winery, and in the Chevalier tasting room there is a picture of the old-time vineyards, dated 1880. Tasting is also done at the winery's new facility in Pleasant Valley, with the winery open for tasting on Saturdays from 12:00 to 5:00.

The Vineyards

Even though it is 500 to 1000 feet lower in elevation than most El Dorado County wineries, being located at the bottom of the creek canyon, the vineyards receive significantly less direct sunshine and heat. Because of this, the winemaker is able to allow their grapes to hang on the vines a little longer and develop intense complexity in the fruit. Pierre and Jeannette grow Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel on site.

The Wines

Pierre has created a unique red wine blend using all four estate grapes, which he calls Ameritage, a combination of the word Meritage (used to describe a blend of Bordeaux varieties) and a tribute to the Zinfandel grape (which is often referred to as the American grape). The winery also produces a very nice Cabernet Sauvignon blended with a small amount of Merlot that has a definite Bordeaux style to it.

The Winemaker

Jeannette is a local El Dorado County native, and Pierre came here from France. Together they take great pride in producing grapes and wines in the French style; nicely blended and balanced. 

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