Sierra Foothills Wineries - Helwig Estate Winery
American Viticultural Area

This print by artist Kerne Erickson depicts the Sierra Foothills AVA from the Helwig Estate Winery. This AVA was established in 1987. Wine grapes were introduced to the area in the nineteenth century during the California Gold Rush in the Coarsegold Gulch area. The Sierra Foothills AVA contains portions of eight California counties: Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa Nevada, Placer, Tuolumne and Yuba. The total area of the appellation is 2,600,000 acres, one of five largest AVAs in the state along with the North Coast AVA, Central Coast AVA and the South Coast AVA. 5,700 acres of the appellation are planted to grapevines. The most common grape variety is Zinfandel which accounts for 2,300 acres. Cabernet Sauvignon is planted on 600 acres and Syrah is planted to 560 acres. The most common white grape variety is Chardonnay planted to 289 acres. Other grape varieties are grown in smaller quantities. Vineyards are generally planted in locations between 1,500 feet and 3,000 feet.
There are over 100 wineries located within the Sierra Foothills AVA. Many are small, boutique wineries, often family-owned.