Red rock clay soils in the Sierra Foothills gives their grapes a delightful texture and flavor. Drytown Cellars turns these flavors into wonderfully rich ripe wines. Their Chenin Blanc is a bright crisp Chardonnay alternative with a wonderful rich honey, apricot, and cantaloupe flavors. Barbera and Primitivo do well in this area and theirs are rich and luscious.

But the flavor you cannot get anywhere else is in their dessert wine called Vino de Mocca, referred to as “The Kissing Wine.” Not only does it have a hint of chocolate and coffee but a hint of bitter orange that rounds out the acidity and makes it delicious on a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The house and barn on the property are 122 years old!

More from my month in this region.