Going for the Gold in Amador County!
I’m Monique Soltani, and I’m currently hyperventilating—not just from the 160 steps I took into a cavern, but because I’ve found a wine region that is literally grounded in gold.
Amador County is where the Gold Rush meets the Wine Rush. When the miners realized they weren't getting rich off the rocks, they started planting vines—and thank goodness they did! The Amador County wine region is a true treasure.
I recently took a wild, two-day journey through Amador County, about 100 miles east of Napa. It’s rugged, it’s historic, and the wine? Let’s just say I found the motherlode. Grab a glass and Sip with me for the highlights!
Key Highlights from the Trail:
Vines of the Mother Lode: We visit Sobon Estate and Andis Wines, where 100-year-old Zinfandel vines—the "crown jewels" of the region—still thrive. These vineyards were originally planted by Italian and Swiss immigrants who realized that while gold was scarce, the soil was a treasure in its own right.
Wildlife & Sustainability: Sustainability isn't just a buzzword here; it's a partnership. At Andis Wines, we meet the team from Tri County Wildlife Care to learn how birds of prey are used as natural pest control, keeping the vineyards green and the ecosystem in balance.
History in Motion: Get some "pedal power" on at Rail Explorers, riding the historic Amador Central Railroad. We also go a mile deep at the Kennedy Gold Mine, one of the deepest in North America, to see the grueling reality of the miners who built the state.
The Village of Volcano: Don’t let the name fool you—there’s no lava here! We explore the tiny town of Volcano, home to the state’s oldest general store and the breathtaking Black Chasm Cavern, featuring rare "helictite" crystals found in only 5% of the world's caves.
The Main Squeeze: Mushroom Cigars: I found a kitchen connection in Plymouth at Taste Restaurant and Wine Bar. Chef Micah has had one dish on the menu for 19 years: Mushroom Cigars. They are earthy, crispy, and pure umami. The secret? Chef Micah says: "Use more salt and more butter." Honestly? Words to live by.
A Mission in Every Bottle: We wrapped up with a quick sip with Jill Osur of Teneral Cellars. Not only is the wine phenomenal, but they’ve donated over $300,000 to empower women. On the back of every bottle, there’s a conversation starter. My favorite? "What is one opinion that has changed for you over time?" Mine? That you have to go to well known wine regions for world-class wine.
Watch our full episode online for the first time today and see for yourself why we adore Amador!👇
🍷 Sip Tip:
If you’re toasting tonight, look your partner in the eye—it’s the only way to make sure nobody’s trying to "poison" your glass (old miner rules!).
"Whatever you think you're into, we probably have it. From dining and dancing to drinking—Amador is just so approachable." — Holger Hornisch, Amador County Vintners Association.
Please hit Subscribe to stay in touch! And yes, you can still sip with me, Monique Soltani, each week on CBS Bay Area, KCAL Los Angeles, KMAX Sacramento, and KSTW Seattle!
Keep reading for Jade Hernandez’s personal take on the trip, plus our Sip, Stay and Play weekend travel guide rich with history and hilarity! 🤣
xoxo, Monique
On the Rails in Gold Country
by Jade Hernandez
Adventures through wine country don’t necessary have to be tethered to wine. In fact, being IN wine country lends itself to experiencing the land, and that my friend, I have found can be a family affair.
If you find yourself wandering in unfamiliar territory, vines down the road from you in literally every direction, you might also find what Monique and I discovered on this particular outing. Wind through our hair and us rolling down the … track. No roads where we were going. Just railroad crossings. And I’m not talking about a train on the rails but a contraption that rides them just the same!
Sounds a bit odd, eh?
But this friends is a wine adventure sans vino and an actual train! It all begins at the Rail Explorers Depot, located in Ione, California. Rail Explorers USA has been around since October of 2023 at this particular outpost.
The best part — you can bring the young ones along for the ride, too! And that is truly the best part. Wine country shared with those all around you.
Assignments have taken me all over the country. If you are like me, you’d never thought about taking a tour of the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the tracks of an old railroad. Or that it was even possible. It is. And people like you and me can ride them anytime!
I can attest. It’s all smiles, too (see photo below)…
Jade Riding the rails!
EVEN after I was strapped in (see video below) to a rail bike fitted with the “REX Propulsion System” (custom built electric motors). Zipping in and around hills with gorgeous views on these electric motors rolling along the rails is not for the faint of heart but it is so much more fun than you can ever have imagined!
A producer gig doesn’t always mean partaking in on the action but for this particular story I jumped at the chance to participate because I wanted to know if the trip was worth it. And boy, was it!
Riding the rails was rambunctious fun which I can imagine would be a blast, whether it be with a romantic partner or bestie. It might even impress that pre-teen you know who’s rarely impressed with any activity you deem cool enough to try! Bonus points for all around!
BEHIND THE SCENES: All That Glitters is Not Gold
by Jade Hernandez
Or at least, that’s what miners back in the late 1800’s would have told you. It sure is shiny, though. And where it was found is still around today.
During our visit to Amador County, Monique and I uncovered quite a few historical treasures and tidbits that you, too, can see for yourself.
All you have to do is travel to Jackson, California, which is about an hour southeast of Sacramento and that’s where you will find the Historic Kennedy Gold Mine.
For the TV show we collect ALL the stories and then have to squeeze everything down into about 22 minutes due to programming constraints. In these newsletters, we get to share with you some tidbits from our vaults.
And this one comes from the Gold Mine—a little behind the scenes extra!
Listen in on a tour we took from tour guide, Linda Gonzales who pointed out tidbits like this one.
Kennedy Gold Mine
If the total amount of gold that was produced here at Kennedy Gold Mine were made into a single “nugget”, it would be approximately the same size as this piece of quartz on the right.
Crazy, no?
Gonzales took us through the Change House situated on mine property. Miners came here to get dressed before trekking out to work each day and where they came back to shower. Miners had to prove to bosses they didn’t take anything from the mine they weren’t supposed to.
It’s easier to understand “gold fever” when you see something like this up close and personal which is exactly why volunteer Doug Ketron took us through the mine.
Okay, not the actual mine but a replica of one built right inside the Change House!
The actual Kennedy Gold Mine is one of the world’s deepest at 5912 feet.
The California Department of Conservation says the mine produced about a total of $34 million dollars in gold.
Surreal.
Found in a Vineyard: Falcons, Owls and other Predatory Birds
by Jade Hernandez
Trixie is a star (see photos below). And she knows it. She’s also a scene stealer. Trixie is an American Kestrel Falcon. The say when the cameras roll, animals and kids steal the show. In our case, it all went to the birds.
Luckily, that’s what Monique and I were hoping would happen when we visited Andis Wines, an Amador winery which has a unique and eco-friendly pest management program tied to our favorite winged star, Trixie.
That program has ties to Susan Manning with the Tri-County Wildlife Care non profit who was the one who introduced us to Trixie. Manning explained the most sustainable way a winery can take care of unwanted pests is by using our fine, feathered friends. Her non profit takes in hurt, sick or orphaned critters. Once rehabilitated, whether winged or land bound are released back into the wild. Or sometimes, they get hired at wineries like Andis.
As for Trixie, this falcon stays in captivity because she wouldn’t survive on her own due to past injuries.
So how does it all work?
Andis Wines doesn’t use American Kestrel Falcons like Trixie but instead owls. And in order to do that, they place owl boxes to attract feathered friends to their vineyards. And why owls? Owl families can consume upwards of 2-thousand rodents per year. And best part? No use of pesticides or chemicals.
And even though, Andis Wines doesn’t use falcons, other wineries do. Susan brought a peregrine falcon along with her to demonstrate for us, these magnificent creatures size.
Peregrines are the fastest creatures on earth. Want proof? Listen below. Their dive speed according to expert Manning is in excess of 240 miles an hour. Falcons use that speed to prey on their food — other birds.
We are just lucky our expert made sure to keep Trixie safely tethered to her as you can watch below.
Peregrine Falcon
Trixie, an American Kestrel Falcon
⛏️ The "Sip, Stay, & Play" Amador Gold Country Guide 🍷
Whether you’re hunting for fortunes or just your favorite glass, these spots are a 24-karat match.
Stop | The "Vibe" | Must-Do Activity | Sip Tip |
Rail Explorers | High-Energy History | Pedal the rails on custom electric bikes through the foothills to an old copper mine. | Snag the "Irresponsible Seat" and let your partner do the driving while you enjoy the view! |
Sobon Estate | The Crown Jewel | Explore the Agriculture Museum and walk through one of California’s oldest operating wineries. | The Zinfandel is the real gold here—some vines have been thriving for nearly 100 years! |
Andis Wines | Truly Taken Flight | Meet the Birds of Prey and see how these winged guards keep the soil safe and clean. | Try the Semillon; it’s a rescued vineyard gem that’s 100% world-class. |
Kennedy Gold Mine | Deep & Dramatic | Go deep to see where miners chased a billion-dollar dream. | Sip Scott Harvey Zin —it’s much more refreshing than pushing a one-ton ore car! |
Black Chasm | Into the Abyss | Descend 160 steps to see rare crystals that nature took 1.5 million years to perfect. | A Cave Tasting with Bella Grace is the ultimate way to stay "cool" while you explore all of Amador. |
Sutter Creek | History & Hominess | Visit Knight Foundry to see a water-powered time capsule from the 1800s. | Learn succulent tips at the Antique Gardener—the secret to "cute" plants is all in the drainage! |
Taste Restaurant | Magnificent & Mouthful | Order the Mushroom Cigars; they’ve been the "M-train" of the menu for 19 years! | Pair with Teneral Cellars—it’s phenomenal wine with a mission to elevate women! |
💡 Monique’s Quick Sip Tips:
Look 'em in the Eye: It’s an Amador tradition when you toast—don't blink or you might miss the magic!
Butter is Better: Chef Micah says the secret to life is more salt and more butter. We're not arguing!
Wing It: When dealing with wildlife or wine, sometimes you just have to go with the flow!