Truckee River Winery (Back to Previous Page)

Appellation: Nevada County Location: 10061 South River St Truckee, California 96161 Phone: (530)587-4626 Winemaker: Russ Jones Tasting Room: N/A Days/Hours: By Appointment Only Parking: N/A Picnic Facilities: N/A Red Wines: Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot White Wines: Sauvignon Blanc Production: 800 bases
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The Winery

At 6000 feet, this is the highest and coldest winery in the state of California. It is in close competition for that claim with a winery in Colorado for the highest in the country. The red barn winery is located in a gorgeous mountain setting, complete with pines and quaking aspens.

The Vineyards

There are no vineyards at the winery; the grapes are brought in by truck from multiple California AVAs including Nevada County (Sierra Foothill), Lodi, Clarksburg and Santa Lucia. The vineyard in Santa Lucia, Gary’s Vineyard, is the source for their Pinot Noir Grapes and is considered one of the best in the United States.

The Wines

The signature wine of Truckee River would have to be their wonderfully complex Pinot Noir. Although the grapes are definitely from a warmer region than Burgundy, the cold fermentation is very similar and ends with 18 months aging in 60% new French Oak. This wine is a must try.

The Winemaker

The winemaker at Truckee River is Russ Jones. Russ received his degree in enology from the University of California at Davis, traveling from there to Oregon to work at Sokol Blosser Winery. A Lake Tahoe native, he and wife Joan moved back to the region and, in 1989, opened the first winery in the region. 

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