Amador County is the land where Zinfandel reigns supreme and the vineyards are steeped in 150 years of winemaking tradition. It is here where European winemaking found a home in the late 19th century. Part of what has come to be known as the “Mother Lode”, Amador County was settled by immigrants, mostly of Mediterranean decent, who sought a golden future and brought their viticultural traditions to the iron rich soils of the area. After the prosperous wine industry was shut down by Prohibition early in the 20th century, the county remained dormant until the 60’s when a young Sutter Home winemaker rediscovered the spicy, bold Zinfandel grape which was abundant in the area and returned the name Amador to a label again. The success of this wine, as well as the ripe Cabernets and Chardonnays that would follow, has made the region nationally recognized. Today this county is divided into two appellations, Shenandoah Valley and Fiddletown, but Amador and Zinfandel remain synonymous in the hearts of California wine lovers.