madrona vineyards

The wine tasting at Madrona was my first wine tasting experience. It was cool. They have a variety of wines to choose from, two of which I could pronounce. The building kind of has a rustic feel & the atmosphere is great. Even if you're not really a wine drinker, it's still worth a quick stop if you're in the area.

We checked in here for the Eldorado Wine Passport event. The staff made it a very fun stop. The wine was incredible and the food delicious.

I was not expecting to find such a gem at the "end of the road" behind High Hill Orchards. Medrona Vineyards tasting room was cozy, and the experience was a treat, and the wine.....amazing. The surroundings are a little more secluded than some of the "rolling hills views" at other vineyards but it's truly like a little hidden treasure that you must find. Many of the wine tastings are complimentary and the staff very knowledgeable. The day we were there, was in late winter - there was some training going I could tell, but this did NOT detract from our experience at all. I wish I had introduced myself and gotten the name of our host, he was amazing. He walked us through the wines from reds to whites which was different than I've experienced, but truly a more logical approach in my opinion and shows they know the acidity levels of their wines very well, showcasing them in the way that lets their selections shine their best. As a treat he snuck in a "teaser" of an upcoming selection, and a reserved wine as well that they normally charge a nominal fee ($5 for all the reserves - $3 off if you buy a bottle) to taste (he was listening to what we like about each wine because the reserve selection he chose (2012 Estate bottled dry riesling) to let us taste was my favorite on this day, and my guest and I both bought a bottle). The food pairing part of the tasting is something you don't get at every vineyard and it was stupendous, although I had a hard time choosing, the blue cheese was my favorite pairing with the 2008 New World Port Wow! The 2002 New World Port with the flourless chocolate cake was a very close second though. Whether you love wine or just like enjoying the experience of learning about and getting to know it, this place is a must visit for everyone.

Worth a visit for the area alone. Free wine tasting, fun pourers, bring your lunch, nice area. Nice wines, check out the resident cat. You can use the picnic tables and enjoy the surrounding vineyards.

Madroña Vineyards, unique at its high elevation of 3000 feet, actually consists of three different vineyards, all owned by different branches of the Bush family. The tasting room and Madroña Vineyard are in the heart of the Apple Hill® agricultural region of El Dorado County. Two newer vineyards, Enyé and Sumu-Kaw, are located in the nearby Pleasant Valley area, ranging over similar high elevations.The Madroña Vineyard grapes were planted in 1973, with the other younger vineyards established within the last 20 years. The flavors produced from the same variety across the different ages, climates, and soil profiles of vines offer a breadth of tasting experiences, such as the Rieslings and Zinfandels for which this winery is known. Other great picks are the Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and New World Port.Madroña offers something unique in the tasting experience – they begin with their red wines instead of whites. Their reasoning – the acid in their whites is higher and tends to coat the tongue, overwhelming the flavors of the reds. The tannins and pH of the reds will dissipate, allowing the whites to shine on their own. Not all wines currently offered for sale are also available as pours. Tasting room staff are knowledgeable about the wines, but some are less attentive, interactive and welcoming that others.

It is rare that you find a winery with Red and White wines of equal quality. Though we can buy theses wines at the local market, it is more fun to visit the winery, talk to the tasting room staff and if Paul the winemaker/owner is around he is generous with his time and knowledge. Are favorites are the Dry Riesling and Enye Syrah (equal to any Rhone I have tasted). Great special events.

The Bush family not only makes superior wines but always makes their winery guests feel extra special. Their yearly events are well planned, well attended and very much enjoyed. It has been so easy for us to get to know the people who visit this wineries events. Paul is never hesitent to help you understand the harvest, wine making and the business.

Another great foothill vineyard you've got to try. These small wineries have such charm and fantastic tasting goodies.

The tasting room's very cozy, nestled between the Christmas tree farm and High Hill Ranch. The main thing I don't like about this place is that, like many wineries in the area, they charge $5/person for the tastings. However, UNLIKE the other wineries, Madrona only refunds $3 if you buy wine. I know, $2 isn't much, but I'm less likely to go there since I don't like this policy.

Love having so many great wineries close to home - this is definitely one of them! Enjoyed the tasting immensely - all the wines were great: as good as wines you can get in Napa, but right in our own backyard.

Oh, Madrona. I've hit up this winery on two separate occasions and have loved my experiences there both times. The ladies that assisted us were so helpful and had some great tips for newbie wine drinkers. The Apple Hill area is a great place for a wine tasting excursion and Madrona is definitely a must if you're in the area. The bottles are definitely reasonably priced (think $10 - $20 a bottle) and they're incredibly generous with the tastings! The wines were good but it was definitely our experience that made this place a stand out.

This is not a review about a specific visit. We have been club members at Madrona for several years now and I wanted to write a review about them in general.Madrona has a large variety of wines of very good quality. They are very environmentally aware also. The last visit we made, they gave us the wine in reusable bags and assured us if we bring them back, we will get $1 off our next purchase. Also, the family is so down-to-earth. They know everything about wines, but manage not to talk down to you. I think this is a hard trick for most winemakers to master, but Paul Bush does it effortlessly. I highly recommend joining one of the clubs and attending their events. This is one of the reasons we stay members year after year. The Quintet Blending is a great event where you blend your own bottle of wine. You get to watch them bottle and label it too. If you need a change from the large, impersonal commercial wineries, this is the place for you!