Page 9 - November 2018

~ MADERA COUNTY ~ A HIDDEN TREASURE ~ The Wine Trail Marker

growing wine grapes. Their attentive care
By Ronnie Greenberg The Vineyard Restaurant
Photos: Joe Hilbers and expertise ensures the production of
high quality fruit, a critical first step for
The small timber industry that started producing exceptional wine.
long ago was quickly over shadowed by Get to spend an enjoyable day exploring
the cry of “Gold,” putting Madera on the and sipping through the valley’s elite nine
map when mining started here in 1849 vineyards on the Madera Wine Trail.
and continued well into the 1900’s. It’s Enjoy the benefits of the region’s rich
other claim to fame is that it is one of the history, knowledgeable hosts and tasting
oldest grape growing regions in rooms that are still small enough that you
America. In the late 1800s settlers can visit with the winemakers themselves.
homesteaded small farms and planted Among the Madera Wine Trail, you can
grapes to produce wine. These settlers experience old world techniques and state-
came to Madera bringing their old world of-the-art technology in the same day. Toca Madera Winery with Shayne Vetter
winemaking expertise from such Madera County winemakers celebrate
countries as Italy, Armenia, France and each other’s unique wine and winery
others. Before the turn of the century, styles and so can you.
Madera County was host to two wineries
that shipped wines bearing the Madera Here are some of them:
label to many parts of the world. Few of Papagni Wines that has been crafting
these original wineries survived quality wine for 95 years. Demetrio
prohibition, but new wineries emerged Papagni emigrated from Italy with a
starting in the late 1930s. dream of making fine wines from the
Madera’s heritage and charm is grapes grown on the land of his new home
evident in today’s wineries making in the San Joaquin Valley. Papagni has
award-winning wines just south of been one of the most award-winning
Yosemite National Park, where the wineries in the state. They invite you to
“Madera” appellation is one of the oldest experience their bold and original wines. activities. It is the perfect setting for
designated American Viticultural Area Tasting room hours Saturday-Sunday 1 relaxation, family gatherings, nature
(AVA) in California. The Madera p.m. to 5 p.m. located at 9505 Rd 30 1/2 walks and BBQ’s. You can enjoy views of
Vintners Association was organized in Phone: (559) 673-5754 the estate vineyard, pond, large oak Madera (559) 645-1825
2001 as a collective voice for the area’s trees, cotton tail rabbits, cows in the www.birdstonwwinery.com
winemaking families. This association is www.papagniwines.com distance and many birds. The Residence San Joaquin Wine Company is proud to
dedicated to the common purpose of is complete with large bedrooms, produce wines from Madera Vineyards
promoting excellence in winemaking Fasi Estate Winery owned by Ralph entirely new bathrooms, plenty of space owned and operated by farmer Steve
from a region rich in potential through Fasi, opened their doors in 2012 to a to spread out with two living rooms, a Schafer, who started the winery in 2005 as a
commitments to modern winemaking beautifully, renovated winery and tasting game room with pool table and vintage personal dream. He offers many varietals
techniques. room located on the doorsteps to pinball machine, fully stocked kitchen, 14 including Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Cab
Madera County has long been known for Yosemite National Park in Friant, person dining table, a large deck and Sauv, Muscat, Rose, Merlot and Viognier.
producing world-renowned dessert California, Madera County. The first patio area, and plenty of parking Labels include Moody Press and Green
wines and ports. release of Fasi Crest Private Reserve Syrah including a two car garage. Inquire about Eyes. Tasting Room hours Saturday 11 a.m.
Recently, many new small wineries was the 2003 vintage, which has been bringing your dogs too. to 4 pm; Sunday noon to 4 p.m.; Friday 1:30-
have joined these flagship premium received extremely well. Each subsequent Toca Madera Winery is a new 4:30 p.m. Located at 21821 Ave 16, Madera
wineries. This current renaissance is release has always been awarded the vineyard/winery which is dedicated to (559) 673-0066 www.sjwineco.com
driven by the recognition that Madera highest honors and medals. They work producing high quality wines primarily Quady Winery in an internationally
County is a unique wine growing diligently to nurture the vines into wines from warm-weather Rhone varieties acclaimed sweet Muscat wine producer and
region. The microclimate is bounded and that truly sparkle from this little known grown on site. Their vision is to be a then home of Vya, the world’s best
cooled by the San Joaquin River on the corner of California’s Gold Country. user-friendly winery where people come vermouth. Quady uses Orange and Black
southwest and the Sierra Nevada A sister winery in La Consulta, to relax and learn about wine and the art Muscat varietals to make Essensia, Elysium
Mountains on the east. Warm summer (Mondoza, Argentina), adds a welcomed of winemaking. You’ll delight in and Electra. Visit Quady, taste their wines,
temperatures and varied soil types in variety to their superb offerings under the listening to Shayne Vetter their skilled meet winemaker Michael Biaylock and
Madera County provide a foundation for Fasi Estate Winery label. and enthusiastic winemaker not only enjoy their hospitality. Tasting Room hours
the full development of the grapes. Enjoy your wine tasting on the beautiful share his indepth knowledge, but in Saturday-Sunday 12 noon-4:30 p.m.;
Recognizing these distinctive veranda with views of the scenic vistas of answering all your questions. Weddings Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
characteristics, Madera was designated the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, from and events take place in the vineyard’s Located at 13181 Road 24, Madera (800) 733-
an American Viticultural Area in 1985. 11 a.m. when the majestic gates swing beautiful setting. Tasting Room hours 8068 www.quadywinery.com
Today with a little bit of everything, open until 5 p.m. Buses and limos by Saturday-Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Located Wineries are open year round for wine
there are so many reasons to love appointment only. Get to celebrate your at 36140 Avenue 9, Madera (559) 673-0066 tastings and special events. Check out
Madera. It’s lush fertile farmlands special occasion or event in style, here. www.tocamaderawinery.com www.maderawinetrail.com for more wine
produce figs, raisins, cotton, tomatoes Located at 42415 Road 208,Friant (559) 822- Birdstone Winery owned by Tony Kirk trail and individual winery events
and lots and lots of grapes. Almonds 2111 or www.fasiestate.com produces many award winning wines throughout the year.
have become a major industry with The Residence at Fasi Estate Winery is reflective of the outstanding quality and Continued
many farms dotting the area. located on the beautiful 40-acre grounds of variety of grapes grown in the Madera
There are several small, family-owned Fasi Estate Winery. It’s a large, newly Viticulture area. Their wine offerings on Page 13
wineries along the Madera Wine Trail. renovated home, near Fresno, and include Malbec, Dolcetto, Tempanillo,
Many of these wineries are situated in Yosemite National Park. Just 15 minutes Chardonnay, Primitivo, Charbono, Tinta
the midst of the vineyards from which away from fantastic restaurants, shopping, Madeira Port and other great varieties.
they harvest their grapes. Oftentimes, the golf, swimming, horse and hiking trails, Tasting Room hours Friday-Sunday 11
winemakers generational roots are in casinos, lakes and many other fun a.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 9400 Road 36-

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