For this episode, the Marys are on location with Rob Sinton, winemaker at El Dorado County’s Starfield Vineyards. This is where the grapes meet the sky, as they say, thanks to high altitude vineyards reaching upwards of 2400 to 3000 feet in elevation.
Here at Starfield Vineyards, you gaze at the vineyard views surrounded by evergreens in every direction. This mountain terroir gives El Dorado wines their distinct herbal and spicy flavor, or Sierra spice, as it’s called in these parts, a flavor profile that makes them stand out among other California wines.
We’re so excited to be speaking with Rob Sinton at this gorgeous property set with lakes and miles of walking trails, where you can soak up the wine country experience and enjoy some darn good wines.
Starfield is also the dream of Rob and his father Tom, whose love of wine led them on a quest to find the best place to grow Rhone and Italian varietals. Their search sent them into the Sierra Foothills and El Dorado County. Today Rob is not only making wine, he’s reinventing wine labels using solargraphy, championing forgotten grapes, and even creating his own vermouths.
We’re sure that once you hear Rob’s story, you’ll want to plan a visit to this and other wineries in the mountainous El Dorado wine country.
Wines tasted in this episode:
• 2022 Sparkling Brut Rosé of Grenache, El Dorado County
• 2024 Viognier, El Dorado County
• 2023 The Miner’s Inch Red Blend, El Dorado County
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