La Bella Rosa Vineyards

They are closed for the day even though their website doesn’t say. Maybe they should update their website

Three stars for the wine, and five stars for the actual aesthetic and location of the winery.
We stumbled upon La Bella Rosa while trying to use GPS to make it to the nearest Starbucks, in Sonora. (I needed to access wifi)
Given the mountainous terrain the GPS system was taking us in circles, and seemed very lost. Like a black hole we kept circling the same routes, even when we took turns in different directions. We passed La Bella Rosa several times and decided to go in and ask directions.
The property is absolutely beautiful. In the heart of California’s gold country it sits in a tiny valley among the growing foothills of the western Sierras. Adorned with rock walls, ponds, and stone and gravel walkways the landscaping is really well done. The wine tasting room itself is kind of kitchy Yankee and kind of yuppy puppy at the same time. You’d have to see it to know what I mean.
Being a tiny winery owned by a couple who had always wanted to start a winery, the wine pour-​er is actually one of the owners!
Many varietals were represented including Cab and Chardonnay… but apparently the real big deal here is the Port. Peculiarly, the port was available exclusively in standard size wine bottles. The owner explained this was to avoid all the permitting requirements involved in using another type of container.
I tried pretty much all the wines, and they were decent. The winemakers are relatively new to this, but their progress is pretty impressive. (you’d know what I if you’ve ever tasted wine made by a typical novice vintner).
I left with a bottle of the port which cost about $ 20. Not being a connoisseur of port, I thought it was pretty damn good.

What a nice local Sonora Winery, located off of Old Wards Ferry Road. They are open for tasting 12−500pm Saturday Sunday.
Owned by Ron & Linda Peterson.
Visit a touch of Italy when you stroll through this «Tuscany of the Sierra» botique winery.
Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabebernet Franc, Port, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sangiovese and the rare Aglianico.