Roots to Wine Promotes Yolo/Solano Terroir

(Wines&Vines) - Roots to Wine, a nonprofit marketing and educational organization with 10 member wineries in northwest Yolo and northeast Solano counties, is dedicated to promoting the region’s locally grown grapes and terroir as well as encouraging tourists to experience the area’s rich agricultural heritage. The organization held its first Fresh Press Weekend passport event Oct. 12-13, with eight member wineries holding open houses for visitors to taste wines, observe winemaking operations and sample fresh-pressed juice and wine.

Roots to Wine (R2W) was started in 2010 by founding members Corinne Martinez, co-owner of Berryessa Gap Vineyards in Winters and Pam Welch, co-owner of Capay Valley Vineyards in Brooks, Calif. As Welch explained, “The Clarksburg area had an organization focused on its appellation in eastern Yolo County, but we needed a way to promote the wineries in the rest of Yolo County near Davis, Winters, the Capay Valley and Dunnigan Hills.” R2W also includes members near the county line in neighboring Solano County, which is easily accessible along a wine route through the region.

Roots to Wine spokesperson Jessica Chin Foo, managing partner of R2W member Putah Creek Winery in Davis, said, “It’s important for people to know that we are locally owned wineries using local grapes, and part of our mission is to promote tourism and education about our ‘roots,’ which means explaining the Yolo region terroir.” Alluding to increased consumer interest in local food and wine production—and nearby Sacramento promoting itself as the “farm to fork capital”—Chin Foo said, “We’re farmers. We value the land and value local products. Yolo County has been involved in agriculture a long time; people are acknowledging that again, and it’s cool now.” R2W also includes affiliate members interested in promoting tourism and other agricultural operations and events.