ophir.com

Fine wine, sleek cars and the good life. If you think that vintners in California have reputations as being slightly hedonistic,  don't be taken in by the trappings. Hard working, driven, and determined to create the best tasting products on the market, Ophir Winery (in photo above) in Newcastle's neighborhood of Ophir is an example of the best efforts of several hard-driving individuals to come up with award-winning wines that please their palates, and fortunately, meet critical and commercial success.

A partnership of several individuals who independently grew grapes in Sierra foothill region of Placer County, Ophir came into existence around 2001.  Capitalizing on the  microclimate in which the grapes are nurtured  with hot summer days and cool nights along the Auburn Ravine, the vintners new their combined efforts would help to produce award-winning Petite Sirah,  Sirah and several other wines that generally sell out due to the small quantities produced. 

Mike Abbott, Paul Burns and Craig Green  actually got to know each other as neighbors sharing a common interest in wine grape growing, around 1996. Fall picking and spring bottling provided opportunities to work together as friends.

They came to be known as The Wine Brothers and unveiled their first release in 2002.

Part of the Sierra Foothills AVA (American Viticultural Area), the  Sierra Nevada region  is located approx. 30-45 minutes by car from Sacramento, the winery often hosts events in which you can visit and sample the great tastes at a scenic farm with a lake, rolling hills, and forever views.

You often can find the wines sold at local farmers markets in Auburn and Granite Bay.