About 45 minutes from Lodi sits Plymouth, a small town coming into its own as another Northern California wine destination. Tucked into the Sierra Foothills, the burgeoning city was first settled during the Gold Rush when a local mine attracted swarms of people. But a fire in 1877 demolished 20 buildings and spelled the demise for much of Plymouth. As of 2010, the city was home to just over 1,000 people, but for many its small population only adds to its historic charm.
Downtown, quaint tasting rooms pop up next to abandoned buildings, and guests can experience the revitalization happening from year to year as Plymouth (once known as Pokerville) earns its place in Amador County. Up the hill, wineries abound—many on Shenandoah Road—turning out hundreds of varietals from old-vine zinfandel to petite sirah, many made completely out of grapes from the Shenandoah Valley AVA. In total, there are 21 wineries in Plymouth.
Stop by prominent favorites like Turley Cellars (which boasts 47 types of wine), Iron Hub Winery (run by the founding winemaker of Lava Cap Winery), Terra d’Oro Winery
(known for its ancient vines and Italian varietals), and Helwig Vineyards & Winery (with its own wine cave and 60 acres of vineyards).
While the wine is the valley’s biggest draw, there are other to do’s to put on your list. The Amador Flower Farm, for example, came to fame because of its impressive selection of daylilies with more than 1,200 on property and an option to take some home as a souvnier. It’s the perfect place to bring a picnic lunch—ideally picked up from Amador Vintage Market—and enjoy the peaceful grounds, flush with demonstration gardens. Sidle up to a table and revel in the surrounding nature, including 300-year-old heritage oak trees that shade visitors, as well as resident creatures, on sunnier days.
Outdoor activities are Plymouth’s other main attraction. For those who like to hike, fish, boat, camp, and golf, all of these activities exist within Plymouth’s .9 square miles. History buff? While on Main Street, pick up a map from the Clerk’s Office and visit Plymouth’s 12 historic sites.