Located in the Sierra Foothills near Sacramento, Rombauer Vineyards offers a relaxed wine-country…read moreexperience in the Amador County community of Plymouth. The property combines an attractive tasting room, landscaped outdoor areas, and wines produced from grapes grown throughout California, including celebrated Zinfandels and Barbera from the surrounding Sierra Foothills.
My tasting of Rombauer's Zinfandel demonstrated why it is one of the winery's most popular red wines. It was bold, fruit-forward, and flavorful, yet its soft tannins and smooth texture kept it from becoming too heavy. The peaceful surroundings and quality of the wine made the visit especially enjoyable.
The drive from Sacramento gradually leaves the city and moves into the rolling countryside of Amador County. As you approach Plymouth, the landscape becomes more rural, with vineyards, wooded hills, farms, and winding roads creating a scenic introduction to the Sierra Foothills wine region.
Rombauer's winery is located on Steiner Road, a well-known stretch of Amador County wine country. The property is surrounded by tall trees and lush landscaping, giving it a peaceful and secluded feeling. Its exterior is attractive but relaxed, blending naturally into the rural surroundings rather than appearing overly formal.
The winery has a shaded patio where guests can enjoy outdoor tastings, wine by the glass, or a self-guided flight. There is also a spacious lawn that provides additional room to relax. The outdoor setting is family and pet friendly, making it comfortable for groups that want to spend more than an hour simply sampling wine.
Inside, the winery has tasting bars and comfortable areas for guided flights. The atmosphere is polished but casual, with knowledgeable hosts leading guests through a mixture of the winery's best-known wines, limited-production releases, and single-vineyard selections.
The Plymouth property is also an active production winery. Behind the public tasting areas are winemaking facilities and large barrel rooms where the wines are produced and aged. Rombauer offers certain experiences that include a walk through the display vineyard, production areas, and barrel rooms, followed by a seated wine-and-cheese pairing.
Indoor tastings are available, but much of the property's appeal comes from the ability to move between the tasting room, shaded patio, lawn, and surrounding landscape. The combination gives visitors several different ways to enjoy the winery.
Rombauer's current tasting information does not state that a souvenir glass is included with a standard flight, so visitors should not expect to receive one unless it is specifically offered during their visit.
Rombauer produces a broad portfolio that includes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, and several expressions of Zinfandel. The exact number changes as vintages and limited-production wines are released. The winery has stated that it crafts five distinctive Zinfandels, including a wine reserved for club members.
The Sierra Foothills location is especially appropriate for tasting Rombauer's red wines because the winery produces celebrated Zinfandel and Barbera from vineyards around its Plymouth tasting room. Guests participating in a hosted tasting receive a flight containing popular wines alongside limited-production and single-vineyard bottlings.
The wine that stood out during my visit was the Rombauer California Zinfandel, which the winery describes as its most popular red wine.
From the first pour, the wine captured my attention with its deep ruby color and inviting aromas of ripe blackberry, dark cherry, and spice. The palate was rich and velvety, with jammy fruit, vanilla, and a touch of black pepper that lingered pleasantly through the finish.
What impressed me most was its balance. It had the concentrated fruit and bold flavor expected from a California Zinfandel, but the tannins were soft and well integrated. It was powerful without becoming harsh, overly sweet, or overpowering.
The wine would pair especially well with barbecue, grilled meats, pizza, or a hearty pasta dish. It was also smooth and flavorful enough to enjoy by itself. Anyone who appreciates bold, expressive red wines should find plenty to enjoy in this bottle.
Rombauer Vineyards was founded in 1980 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer after the family moved to California wine country in 1972. The company initially established itself in Napa Valley before expanding its vineyards and winemaking operations into other important California growing regions.
Rombauer's relationship with the Sierra Foothills developed largely through Zinfandel. The warm days, elevated vineyards, and established vines of Amador County provide favorable conditions for producing the ripe, concentrated style of Zinfandel associated with the winery.
The Plymouth property serves as both a tasting destination and a working production facility. Its display vineyard, winemakin
