Milliaire Winery (Back to Previous Page)

Appellation: Calaveras County Location: 276 Main St Murphys, California 95247 Phone: (209)728-1658 Winemaker: Steve Millier Tasting Room: Small to Medium Days/Hours: Daily, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Parking: Small, but Murphys parking is close by Picnic Facilities: There are picnic tables in the Murphys park Red Wines: Red wine blend, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan, Dolcetto, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Port Zinfandel Port White Wines: Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, White Zinfandel Production: 2500 cases

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The Winery

Steve & Liz Millier came to the Sierra Foothills in 1982 to spend time learning the winemaking trade at the successful Stevenot Winery. In 1983 they began producing their own wine in the basement of their home, and at a neighboring winery. In 1990 the winery moved to its present location in what had been the Flying A gas station. The spot is not far from downtown Murphys on the edge of Murphys Creek.

The Vineyards

Although the Milliers do not grow any of their own grapes, they have a tradition of buying from the same vineyards year after year. This allows them to not only create some wonderful single-vineyard designated wines, but to have some influence on how the grapes are grown and harvested. They have been fortunate to have a continuing relationship with the famous Clockspring Vineyards of Amador as well as the Ghirardelli Vineyards, known to have the oldest Zinfandels vines remaining in Calaveras County.

The Wines

The small batched wines are all fermented using native yeasts and aged in small oak barrels. Their Zinfandel Port, made from some of the grapes they receive from Clockspring Vineyards, has been particularly successful in California wine competitions. Their Ghirardelli Zinfandel and wonderful Chardonnay have won their share of gold medals, as well.

The Winemaker

Steve Millier graduated from Fresno State University with a degree in enology. He worked as a winemaker for David Bruce Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and then moved to the foothills where he made wine for a number of different wineries, including Stevenot. Steve and wife Liz also own the Black Sheep Winery. 

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