C.G.Di Arie Vineyards & Winery (Back to Previous Page)

Appellation: Fair Play Viticultural Area Location: 5200 Di Arie Road Mt Aukum, California 95656 Phone: (530)620-6500 Winemaker: Chaim Gur-Arieh Tasting Room: Medium Days/Hours: By Appointment and during weekly open houses Parking: Small Picnic Facilities: Tables available Red Wines: Syrah, Zinfandel, Barbera, Petite Sirah, Primitivo, Red Wine Blends White Wines: Rose', Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho Production: 16,000 cases

Map

The Winery

The El Dorado County estate offers tasting by appointment only. The tasting room and is located on beautiful park-like grounds in Shenandoah Valley is described in the Amador County section of this guide. A creek flows through the picnic area complete with waterfalls and a pond stocked with koi.

The Vineyards

The estate has 47 acres of Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Syrah, Primitivo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vineyards planted at the 1700’ elevation, 209 acre estate. The winery also purchases grapes from local wineries in Amador County, most notably from the oldest productive Zinfandel vines in California, the 'Original Grandpere Vineyards'.

The Wines

Although the winery produces a number of notable wines, its most famous is the Zinfandel it produces from grapes grown in the ‘Original Grandpere Vineyard’ in Amador County. This vineyard is known to have been in existence since at least 1869 and is thought to be the oldest still producing Zinfandel vines in the United States. The old vine grapes, when combined with the expertise of a creative winemaker, can exude flavors that are as intense and complex as any Zinfandel you will find anywhere. If you want to taste a little California history this may just be the wine for you.

The Winemaker

Chaim Gur-Arieh and his wife Elisheva are the co-owners of the C.G. di Arie Vineyard with Chaim taking on the winemaking duties. Chaim is an inventor and scientist by trade and before becoming a winemaker, was best known for the invention of Captain Crunch cereal and Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing. 

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