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La Folia Winery

4.5 (48 reviews)
ModerateWineries, Hats
Closed • 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

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Wine room interior shot. Note the hats!
Bradley N.

La Folia displays such impressive "out of the hatbox" thinking when it comes to experiment-oriented, small-batch artisan winecrafting that it's hard not to come away from a first visit slightly awed by its potential. The current lineup of wines made by Ryan T., the creative mind (and tannin-stained hands, one presumes) behind the whole madcap undertaking, are already extremely good and surprising in their combination of traditional California styling (due in part to an apprenticeship by the winemaker with Michael Martella at Thomas Fogarty Winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA) with Calaveras County cutting-edge Sierra Foothills AVA methods. The winning formula here in and around Murphys seems to be: try new things, don't stick to one European set of varietals (Bordeaux, Rhone, Alsace, Tuscany, Piedmont, etc.), be willing to develop a full palate of whites, pinks, reds, and drys to deserts. Add bubbles if you want; oak sometimes, new or neutral, or choose all stainless or ferment in a concrete egg (*the* hot winter holiday 2015 gift for the artisan winemaker in your family); make jammy/silky/sexy Zins, or go with a more leaner, food-friendly style. Don't be afraid to go big or think about making age-worthy cellar wines that will go toe-to-toe with Sonoma, Paso, or Napa. But be content if your 2013s and 2014s sell out by 2016. Drink 'em now; we'll make more! The tasting room - a cross between a quaint hatshop boutique and sleek modern tasting space, complete with a walk-up bar and adjacent comfy couch-and-cushions seating area, fits rather well with the eclectic Murphys vibe. It's definitely not a gender-exclusive space where men might feel more welcome than women, or vice versa. And my sense from a first visit was that you'd like the place equally well if you were only an occasional wine drinker or someone with more interest in expanding out into new AVAs and enological approaches. Our favorite out of a well-balanced December 2015 pouring list was a 2012 Sierra Foothills Sangiovese, which had some classical flavor notes of dusty cherry and bright, lingering acidity with a long, dry finish of sandalwood and baking spice. But we were equally drawn to a Dolcetto and to a Pinot Grigio being poured. And while the Italian lineup probably impressed us more that day - a sign of the Martella influence, despite years making Pinot and Chard for Fogarty? - we got the sense that the folks at La Folia (with help from Rich Gilpin at Lavender Ridge & Coppermine, for whom the winemaker assists) won't be content to stop there. There is probably a lot more that La Folia can do with Rhone blends and super Tuscans, and maybe one day with Spanish and other Mediterranean varietals, perhaps things like Nero D'avola or Nerello Mascalese or Vermentino or Greek whites. Who knows? That's part of the magic and appeal of the Sierra Foothills AVA. If you plant it, it will grow. If you make it, they will drink! Cheers to La Folia for making a wine-tasting reconnaissance trip to Murphys' Main Street a lot more fun and exciting than if we had gone only with the usual, well-seasoned suspects. Good to see that new generations of talented winemakers are setting up shop there and not letting the older guys continue to run the show. We hope that some female winemakers will enter the mix, too! The more hats, as they say, they merrier. 4 full stars for the wines now, and 1 for the future. It will be fun to see where La Folia goes next, and in the growing seasons thereafter. Gotta dig deep to make good wines in an era of unprecedented climate change, and there is only so much that the older ways (and mentors) have to offer. Happy winter wine-tasting holidays! Try a new AVA like the Sierra Foothills in 2016 - you'll love the chance to see what Gold Country winemakers in an epic El Nino year will be able to offer.

three bottles of wine and a menu

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1 month ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

The owner was an absolute clown. No customer service. He was rushing people out. Guess he doesn't like the witch walk.

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Ryan T.

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8 years ago

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5 years ago

Amazing !!! I love their masquerade!!!! They're so kind waited for me to arrive even after they closed to get my favorite wine!!!!

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10 years ago

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14 years ago

I have to say THE best winery in the Foothills! You must try the Moscato D'Cali! It is AMAZING!

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Review Highlights - La Folia Winery

“In that same loyal vein, I'll be stopping in here for a great red whenever I'm in Murphys.”

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