Explore the California Wines of Fair Play

Nestled in the Sierra foothills of California lies one of California's hidden gems. This historic Gold Country is home to 60 award-winning boutique wineries sprinkled throughout the El Dorado and Fair Play appellations that are easily accessible Sacramento as well as a day trip en route to Lake Tahoe.

Established in 2001, Fair Play is El Dorado County's newest wine appellation with more than 20 family-owned boutique wineries. Unlike more commercial wineries, here one can chat with the actual owners as one tours the cellars, tasting rooms, and wine caves while tasting these wines in an intimate setting.

Following is a sample weekend day trip one could take driving along Fair Play Road that affords a taste of this county's character.

Shadow Ranch Winery (7050 Fairplay Road) offers wine tastings on their sustainable farm from Friday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Also, be sure to pick up a pound or more of their home-grown walnuts.

Then stop on for a Ploughman's Lunch offered Saturday and Sunday at Fitzpatrick Winery & Lodge (7740 Fair Play Road). The oldest winery in Fairplay has been 'green' before the term became popular. Also, this hand-crafted log lodge five B&B rooms offers a scenic stay for those wishing to spend an overnight or a weekend in this idyllic countryside.

Call ahead to make an appointment to visit Cedarville Vineyard (6320 Marestail Road), a sustainably farmed vineyard with an energy-efficient winery building including an underground wine cave. Be sure to check out their award-winning Zinfandels.

Those desiring to sample other wineries can pick up a map at any of these above mentioned wineries or check out the Wineries of Fair Play website.

If one would like to check out some of the other farming available in the area might want to call ahead and make an appointment to check out Windmill Creek (2981 Omo Ranch Rd.). Here one can taste a bold peppery olive oil produced from the Spanish varietals grown on this farm. For a unique Christmas gift, consider giving a bottle of olive oil paired with a bottle of Fair Play win or having a case of wine shipped anywhere in the United States.

Animal lovers and yarn enthusiasts may wish to make an appointment to see alpacas up close and personal at Alpacas of Somerset Farm (8226 Stoney Creek Rd .) Here one can also purchase a wide range of products created from alpaca fiber.

Cap off the day at Bocanatto Tratoria (915 Fair Play Road), an Italian restaurant that uses only fresh, locally grown ingredients. In true Northern Italian style, they do not issue menus choosing instead to offer their guests a five course meal (antipasto, salad, pasta, meat, and desert) where individuals chose how many courses they wish to sample.

Throughout the year, one can find a range of festivals such as Bring Out The Barrel (January), Placerville Arts & Wine Festival(Fall), El Dorado Hills Art and Wine Affair (Mother's Day Weekend), and the Fair Play Festival (first weekend in June). Also, the popular Passport Weekends (www.eldoradowines.org) include food, entertainment and tastings. Tickets for these two popular spring weekends tend to sell out by February. Year round one can participate in the Third Saturday Art Walk replete with food, wine, live performances and free stage coach rides.

For more information about booking a day trip, overnight or weekend in Fair Play, check out the Fair Play, California website.