History of Region

During the Gold Rush of the 1850s, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada’s were once home to more wineries than any other region of California. As gold mining declined and prohibition spread, winemaking came to a halt. Fortunately, however, the ideal terroir with warm daytime temperatures, cool evenings and sandy clay loam, brought back a new generation of farmers that would revive the Amador County wine region. The attractive growing conditions resulted in superior caliber wine grapes— allowing vintners to craft wines full of flavor and put Amador County back on the map. The beautiful rolling hills and quaintness of Amador County has been home to the Linsteadt Vineyard for nearly thirty-five years.

Climate and Geography

Linsteadt Family Winery is located in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in central California, at an estimated 1,500 ft. of elevation.  While Amador County is historically known for its production of superior Zinfandel, the region also produces an exceptional selection of varieties, including Barbera, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Sangiovese. Linsteadt vines are planted in the desirable “Sierra Loam” – comprised of decomposed granite and nutrient rich clay. This soil is able to absorb and retain water to nourish the vineyard over time and sustain harsh conditions. The warm, sun-soaked days coupled with the cool, breezy evenings allow our grapes to fully ripen and retain ideal acidity levels. The soil, elevation and weather conditions are considered to stress our vines. That stress is an attractive condition that helps to provide a natural check on yields and produce grapes with a more desirable, robust flavor.

Viticulture and Sustainability

The land practices of Linsteadt Family Winery have been certified by Fish Friendly Farming. The program recognizes properties that are managed to restore fish and wildlife habitat and improve water quality.  We reduce water usage through drip irrigation systems as our only source of delivering water to the vines.  To control any unwanted substances on the vines, we spray with 100% classified organic matter. Linsteadt Family Winery strives to operate with continued focus on sustainability and conservation.

Our vines have continually produced high quality, balanced grapes. Today, the family winery has adopted the same focused, diligent production philosophy for making remarkable wines that we are honored to bring to your glass. Every ounce of our grapes is handled with the utmost care and attention from bud to bottle.