I planned my cousins bachlorette trip up here mid march (St. Patricks day weekend). I was trying to…read moreplan a girls day out, and definitely wanted to do some wine tasting but didn't really want to be a Designated driver. I found Courtwood by searching online, and I'm SO happy I found Chris @Courtwood! I was a little bummed I didn't find any available tours on their website, so I reached out via email. Chris promptly sent a reply with pricing, details, and that it would be quite packed in Murphy's, so she would take us on a private tour around the outlying wineries (good call, none of the wineries were too packed and we had a lot of "private time" at each vineyard). Chris picked us up right out front of our hotel right on time, had a smile and made sure she knew who the bride was and made her feel extra special! We stopped at Twisted Oak, Chatom, Ironstone (for lunch), and Aryael Vieux (TOP FAVE!! I'll be reviewing these wineries soon). Chris took care of everything, all we had to worry about was sipping wine and having a wonderful and relaxing time. Hanging out with Chris was like having another friend just along for the ride! We picked up a loaf of fresh bread at one of the wineries, and mentioned that we wanted to get some butter later on, Chris told us she needed to pick something up too and that we could come with her! I can't say enough good things, they even include a slideshow of your trip (chris takes photos throughout the tour) and email it to you promptly after your tour. If you are in the area, I would definitely come here and take a tour with Courtwood,

I really don't have enough good things to say about Chris at Courtwood Wine Tasting Tours. I was…read moregiven the task of setting up a wine tasting tour in the Murphy's area for a bachelorette group of 9 people. We stayed in Angel's Camp in a friend's cabin, and being unfamiliar with the area, I completely put my trust in Chris to arrange everything for us. She exceeded my expectations (and made me look like I had done a lot more than I had!) She asked a lot of questions about our group and the types of wines we liked so that she could tailor the tour very specifically. Preferring the boutique wineries to the large scale Ironstone types, Chris took us to six different wineries that ranged significantly from Twisted Oak, to Prospect 772, to Aerial Vieux. As a large group Chris coordinated with Kristen, who also leads tours in the area to caravan us around in their large air conditioned vans. It seemed like she had personal relationships with the various winemakers and their staff and was able to get us some kind of behind the scenes cave tour/vineyard tour/private tasting room access everywhere we went. I have to say the best thing about the day was the lunch. Chris set it up on a long table outside Chatom winery and it literally looked like something straight out of Sunset Magazine. She brought local cheese and interesting dips, and the salads were presented in ball mason jars. It really was so well done, I think Chris might have a future in putting on lunches in addition to taking tours! After the tasting, Chris and Kristen took us into Murphy's, waited for us while we had dinner, and then took us all the way back to Angels Camp. I highly recommend Courtwood for small and large tours alike. Chris was just wonderful!

We took a tour with my mom, 90-year-old uncle, and cousins that were here to visit. It was super…read morefun. Jorge was fantastic! He made sure my uncle was comfortable and cared for at each stop. We loved the views and the wine at Aloria, which we had never tried before.

Hopped on the Whiskey Wagon on a whim and had an absolute blast!!! I live in San Andreas and…read morebetween work and property maintenance I hardly ever get out to do anything fun, add that to the recent storms and I've been too nervous to drive the icy windy roads at night. Gold Rush Tour Company gave me a completely stress free night, all I had to think about was what to order at each stop. If you're a local who needs a stress free night out I 100% recommend the Whiskey Wagon and Gold Rush Tour Company in general. If you're visiting the area and don't love planning every minute of you trip, you can trust Gold Rush Tour Company to show you the best of what Calaveras has to offer!

We visited Ironstone Vineyards to celebrate my daughter's birthday and it was such a beautiful…read moreplace to spend the day. As you drive up, you're greeted by gorgeous landscaping and flowers everywhere -- the setting alone makes you want to slow down and stay awhile. We did a wine tasting and really enjoyed the wines. The Sauvignon Blanc was especially good -- crisp, refreshing, and perfect for a warm day. The Pinot Noir was also a standout, smooth and easy to sip. You can tell they put care into their wines, and there was something for everyone in our group to like. The grounds are spacious and peaceful, with views, gardens, and plenty of spots to wander or sit and relax. It feels more like an experience than just a quick tasting stop. The woman helping us was a bit reserved, but still helpful as we made our selections. Overall, Ironstone is a lovely place to visit if you're in the area -- great wine, beautiful scenery, and a relaxing atmosphere that makes for a memorable outing.

We attended a Willie Nelson concert at the Ironstone amphitheater. The lawn seating was perfect and…read morea great price lots of food options and plenty of restrooms. The only downside was their Wi-Fi. I was unable to pull up my Ticketmaster tickets so after I went through security, I had to get out of line and go all the way over to will call to get printed tickets and go back through security again.

It was my first time to Murphy's and this tour showcased the highlights. Tour guide Laura was very…read moreknowledgeable, personable and fun. Every place we visited gave us a feel for the variety and uniqueness of the town. The company (Local Roots) also does tours in Sacramento so we'll be trying these other tours as well.

The Best of Murphys, CA in one fulfilling three hour tour!…read moreOK, everyone is hearing about how wonderful the little town of Murphys is, but how in the heck can you get the whole experience? Well, with these people. I went on this tour today and I got a wine tour, a food tour and a history tour all in one. Every place we went to (9 total) was very informative about their foods, wines, and/or wares. Though the menus will change I fill I should say something about each and every place they were all THAT good. but instead I'll lastly mention the gal that operates the tour. Her name is Shelby, and wow, what a guide she is. I know this tour just started up, but she must have done this in another life because she knew so much about the town, it's history, the people living there, the businesses and the wine. Delicious food, great wine and awesome history of the town. Oh a few steps here and there but really easy no hills to climb.

We had an amazing experience! James, our driver, was on time, drove incredibly smoothly, and was so…read morepatient with our group, even with a bus full of noisy kids. He spent about 12 hours with us and never once complained. He was always helpful, especially when unloading our bags, and made the entire day run seamlessly. One of the highlights was when he happily stopped so we could watch and take pictures of a bear we spotted in Yosemite. That extra bit of flexibility made the trip even more memorable. I also tend to get carsick, but both of our drivers were exceptionally smooth behind the wheel, so I never had any issues. The bus itself was spotless, comfortable, and well maintained. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. I would absolutely recommend this company and would happily use them again!

My kids are grateful and blessed that you were able to get them safe to and from CCT Camp 2026…read more Thank you!! God bless!

We discovered Locke a few years ago and now make it a point to visit every time we're in the area…read more First and foremost we love their wine! I say go for the wine but stay for the hospitality. Kirsten and her dad, Kevin, are incredibly kind and welcoming. They always remember us from previous visits and genuinely make us feel like valued guests. The property is beautiful, with comfortable spaces to enjoy your tasting, whether you choose the cozy barn or the outdoor patio. It's a relaxing place to stop while in Murphys. Their no outside food policy is clearly communicated, and it makes perfect sense to me. It's important to remember that this isn't a public park--it's a winery, and the purpose of your visit is to experience and enjoy their wines. If you get hungry while tasting, they offer a wonderful selection of cheeses, crackers, and other snacks available for purchase. I'd also add, respectfully, that in my opinion wineries generally aren't the best destination for an afternoon with young children. If you are tasting with kids I recommend going downtown which is 5 minutes away from Locke. When our kids were little, we loved visiting downtown Murphys because we could taste at the wineries along Main Street while taking turns with the kids at the public park just behind the tasting rooms. It was a great compromise that allowed everyone to enjoy the day while respecting the purpose and atmosphere of the wineries. One extra perk worth mentioning at Locke: if you become a wine club member, there's a separate area behind the tasting room where you're welcome to bring your own snacks. We enjoyed that this weekend, and it made an already wonderful experience even better. We always look forward to coming back and highly recommend a visit.

A great stop near Arnold, Murphys town, and snowboarding! We really enjoyed tasting a couple of…read moreoptions and also went home with a couple of bottles to relive the experience! They have ample indoor seating as well as some pleasant outdoor seating as well! Great friendly staff :)

The wine was awesome, the tasting area is super cool, and our bartender hooked it up with the pours…read moreand was super nice! 10/10 recommend

Every glass was amazing. Truly, I enjoyed the journey of their wines. My favorite has to be High…read moreCountry - it smelled the way you'd want your man to smell, leathery, warm, strong, comforting. It was devine. Johanna, the sommelier, was very personable and friendly, while pouring. I will be back.

Our friends are members of this nice winery.While visiting them they insisted we go here,apparently…read moreit's the best winery in Murphys. We tasted their Pino,Chardonnay and a few blends.Loved it so much bought 4 bottles!

Love this find. I've been going to Murphy's for 30 years and finally stumbled a few blocks down in…read moretown. Had a tasting with friends and enjoyed the wine and the experience. It was so good I joined the club. It's worth the visit to see this lovely place

Wonderful place to visit with great wines. Welcoming vibe, definitely worth stopping by to taste!read more

Came over Labor Day weekend in Sept 2026 and had an awesome experience. TLDR: very approachable,…read moreless common varietals, and family-friendly. Sue was super friendly, low pressure. We have two young kids who were happily hanging out, drawing, and chatting with Sue. Sue shared lots of stories behind how she & Gary got into wine, info about the wines we tasted, and details about the wine making process. Sue was super sweet, patient, and chatted with all of us -- including my 8 year old kid who asked tons of questions about the wine-making process. Wines were fun and different, including varietals you don't usually see at the grocery store / Costco. Wines were good, especially enjoyed the Tempranillo Rose, Carignane, and Petit Sirah.

Review for Above the Rush…read more Great vibes and wine. Best experience, service, and wine selection in Murphy Area. I'm a Bourbon & Rum drinker and there were some really cool wines that compliment. The server and staff were friendly and had great conversations with them.

This was my favorite winery in Murphy!…read more They have a sister winery closer to Angel camps. It's called Above The Rush and that one offers bites with wine pairing, tasting fee is still waived with bottle. The bites were delicious really brought out the tastes of their wine!