Murphys, California has a way of slowing time down. Nestled in the Sierra Foothills, this historic Gold Country town blends deep agricultural roots with an inviting, walkable wine culture. Over a weekend of exploring, we discovered eight distinct wineries—ranging from grand mountain estates with underground caverns to intimate downtown tasting rooms with serene back patios.
Whether you’re drawn to bold mountain reds, historic architecture, or just a peaceful spot to share a bottle, here is what made each of these eight stops unforgettable.
Ironstone Vineyards — A Terraced Patio Lunch Overlooking the Estate
Our first stop was Ironstone Vineyards, where we arrived just in time for lunch. The setting immediately drew us in. Flowers bloomed everywhere, surrounded by lush greenery and a lovely outdoor patio with broad views stretching across the manicured estate grounds and surrounding foothills. The weather was ideal for sitting outside, so we ordered a pizza and paired it with a crisp glass of Chardonnay.
After lunch, we wandered the grounds. Ironstone feels grand—a destination in its own right—with towering trees, open lawns, and historic mining artifacts that evoke another era. The winery’s history is literally carved from the land. When the Kautz family began excavating the underground wine-aging caverns in the late 1980s, miners encountered rock so stubbornly tough they described it as being "like iron"—giving birth to the name Ironstone.
What We Saved for Next Time: The estate’s Heritage Museum houses a world-renowned 44-pound crystalline gold leaf specimen, a stunning nod to the Gold Rush history that shaped Calaveras County. With four more wineries on our afternoon itinerary, we had to watch the clock and save the museum for our return trip.
Ironstone is also famous for its massive outdoor concert iron amphitheater, which hosts major touring artists under the summer stars.
Visit Ironstone Vineyards
Check their live events and concert schedule
Locke Vineyards — A Family Story Beyond the Tasting Room
Every time we drove to Murphys, we passed the sign for Locke Vineyards.
For years, we had said we should stop one day. And then, finally, we did.
We met the family, who were incredibly welcoming and clearly proud of what they have built. What struck us most was their focus on the wine itself and on the work behind it.
There was a grounded, agricultural feeling to the visit. It felt less like a place designed around the idea of a winery destination and more like a family sharing something they have spent years cultivating.
Housed in The Barn at Locke, the experience goes far beyond standard tastings. In addition to estate wines, they offer handcrafted goods made directly from their farm (including dried flowers, lavender products, and artisanal home goods). We also learned about their popular seasonal farmhouse workshops—from flower arranging to culinary events—which made us immediately want to plan a return visit.
Visit The Barn at Locke Vineyards
Explore their upcoming workshops and farm events
Indian Rock Vineyards — Rustic Charm & Strolls by the Pond
At Indian Rock Vineyards, the experience moves between rustic warmth and the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
We stepped into the welcoming tasting room, enjoyed a tasting flight, and then found ourselves drawn outside toward the pond.
There was a little bridge, water, and a lovely sense of space. Ducks and other birds were around the pond, adding to the feeling that we had stepped away from the busier parts of town.
The tasting room itself is housed in a former dairy barn on the historic Table Mountain Ranch. The property has a long agricultural history, and today its vineyard setting feels like a natural extension of that landscape.
We could easily imagine spending a much longer afternoon here. Indian Rock welcomes visitors to bring a picnic, and there are picnic tables, lawn seating, and a covered veranda overlooking the pond.
It seemed like the kind of place where you could open a bottle, settle in, and let the afternoon unfold without much of a plan.
Visit Indian Rock Vineyards
Stevenot Winery — Gold Country Heritage & a Greeting from Otis
Before stepping inside Stevenot Winery, we spent a few quiet minutes relaxing beneath the shade trees.
The outdoor seating was lovely, and the property had a relaxed, welcoming feeling. We also met Otis, the winery’s cat, who happened to greet us near the barn. If you’re lucky, perhaps you’ll meet him too.
Stevenot is an important name in the history of modern Calaveras County winemaking. Established in 1978 by Barden Stevenot, the winery helped lead the revival of wine production in the Sierra Foothills.
The region has a long winemaking history, dating back to the Gold Rush era, Stevenot played a significant role in bringing the area’s wine industry back into focus in the late twentieth century.
We heard about the winery’s history and its connection to the local wine community. The setting also looked like a wonderful place for a gathering or celebration, with open grounds and plenty of space to enjoy the surroundings.
Visit Stevenot Winery
Broll Mountain Vineyards — Curated Charm in Downtown Murphys
In the middle of downtown Murphys, Broll Mountain felt like an unexpected little escape.
We were especially impressed by the way the tasting room was put together. It felt thoughtful and well organized, with curated goods that made the space feel more personal than a typical tasting room.
And then we met Michelle.
She was warm, deeply knowledgeable, and patient as she guided us through the flight. It’s the kind of genuine hospitality that leaves a lasting impression—we will definitely be dropping back in to say hello to Michelle next time we are in town!
The back of the tasting room was another surprise. There was a water feature that reminded us of a small garden retreat, a peaceful contrast to the activity of Main Street just outside.
Broll is a family winery whose story began in the early 1990s. Today, it is run by the founders’ children, continuing the family’s focus on handcrafted wines and hospitality.
We loved that combination: a place that feels polished and considered without losing its warmth., the little oasis behind Main Street.
Visit Broll Mountain Vineyards
Vina Moda — Where the Building Is Part of the Story
Vina Moda sits inside one of downtown’s most striking historic landmarks: the 1879 Sperry & Perry building, constructed from native stone and iron doors that survived the historic Gold Rush fires. Sitting in the shaded backyard patio surrounded by historic stonework makes it feel as though the walls are telling stories.
We settled into the backyard for our tasting. And then there was the story we heard about the winemaker and a rattlesnake. During the 2023 harvest, co-owner Dre was bitten by a rattlesnake while preparing the winery for the season. It was a serious incident that led to a difficult recovery. The winery shares the experience in a story titled Why Venom?, which appears to be connected to the name of one of its wines.
It’s a reminder that behind every bottle is a real place, real people, and sometimes a story far more unexpected than we imagined.
Visit Vina Moda
Milliaire Winery — Gold Country History in a Converted Vintage Filling Station
We arrived at the shared tasting-room location of Milliaire and Black Sheep. The person who greeted us at Black Sheep asked what kinds of wines we generally enjoy. When we mentioned that we tend to prefer whites, he suggested we try Milliaire instead, knowing they had more options for us.
It was such a thoughtful recommendation. We hadn’t planned on choosing one tasting room over another, but we appreciated being guided toward something we would enjoy.
The Milliaire host was equally welcoming and seemed genuinely proud of the wines they make. We enjoyed hearing about the winery and its family history.
Milliaire began in 1983, when Liz and Steve Millier started making wine in the cellar of their home. In 1990, they moved into a former Flying A gas station on Main Street. The old repair bays became wine storage, wine tanks occupied the backyard, and the tasting room was in the former office.
A friend eventually gave the place a nickname: the “Roadside Chateau.”
It’s a wonderful Murphys story—a working gas station transformed into a family winery, with its original character still part of the experience.
We did our tasting in the back patio, where you can hear the sound of the creek running by.
Visit Milliaire Winery
Val du Vino — Winemaking Right in Downtown Murphys
Val du Vino was our final stop on the second day, after visiting four downtown wineries.
Earlier that day, Michelle at Broll had mentioned that Val du Vino was a working winery right in downtown Murphys. That made us curious, so we decided to stop by and see for ourselves.
The welcome was just as warm as at our previous stops. We enjoyed talking with the staff and learning more about the winery’s work. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming; we struck up conversations with several local wine club members who spoke passionately about the wines and the community here.
What we loved most was the feeling of being in a place where winemaking is happening right in town. The historic Gold Country barn, the wine barrels, and the character of the building gave the tasting room a sense of its own.
There was something appealing about the idea of one kind of harvest making room for another. Murphys has long been shaped by agriculture, mining, and small-town commerce. Here, those histories seem to meet in a different way.It felt like a fitting final stop for our weekend: a place that brought together the history of the town and the wine culture we had spent two days discovering.
Visit Val du Vino
Planning a Wine Weekend in Murphys, CA
One of the things we enjoyed most about exploring Murphys wine country was how different each stop felt. From historic downtown tasting rooms to garden settings and countryside estates, there’s plenty of variety packed into this little corner of the Sierra Foothills.
If you're planning a visit, here are a few things we'd keep in mind.
Give yourself time
We visited four wineries each afternoon, which was fun but also meant keeping an eye on the clock. We missed the museum at Ironstone and would have loved to spend a little more time at several of the other stops.
For a more relaxed weekend, we’d choose a few wineries each day rather than trying to fit in as many as possible. Some places invite you to linger, and that’s part of the pleasure.
Mix downtown tasting rooms with wineries outside town
One of the best things about Murphys is the variety. Downtown tasting rooms make it easy to wander between stops on foot, while wineries outside town offer a different experience, with more space, gardens, and vineyard scenery.
Combining both gives you a lovely sense of the area—and a little variety throughout the day.
Check hours and tasting details before you go
Winery hours, tasting availability, reservations, and special experiences can change. Check each winery’s website directly before visiting, especially if you’re planning a group outing or hoping to attend a tour or workshop.
The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance is also a helpful resource for exploring the local wine scene and finding a tasting-room map.
Leave room for discovery
These were our first eight stops, but they are far from the only wineries in the area. Murphys and the surrounding Calaveras County wine country have plenty more to explore.
Make a Weekend of It at Maison Murphys
After a day of wine tasting and wandering around Murphys, it’s nice to have a place to come back to, settle in, and let the day unfold a little more slowly.
Maison Murphys is our reimagined 1950s California ranch house, tucked into the heart of town. Shaped by our shared backgrounds in architectural and visual design, the house brings together color, craft, and thoughtful details in a place designed to feel like home.
It’s a place to share a long dinner, unwind after a day of exploring, and enjoy a slower weekend in the Sierra Foothills.
We created Maison Murphys with the same feeling we love about a good getaway: thoughtful details, comfortable spaces, and room for everyday joy.
