Murphys, CA…Formerly known as President’s Wine Weekend, the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance moved the event to the springtime when the weather is a bit warmer, the wildflowers are blooming in the foothills, and the winegrape growers and winemakers have a little time to create some exciting experiences for you. 2024 Spring Wine Weekend Dates:   am to 5:00 pm; Sat and Sun April 27th & 28th

(Above photo courtesy of Vina Moda in downtown Murphys)

1. Ready, Set, Go!

Enjoy two days of Spring Wine Weekend fun in Calaveras wine country. 1-day and 2-day tickets include a commemorative wineglass, a wristband for special tasting flights at 19 participating tasting rooms, and a weekend guide with maps. Advance ticketing is recommended as this event will sell out fast! Tickets can be purchased online here, or if you’d rather chance it, try to get tickets the day of the event at the Murphys Visitors and Wine Info Center in downtown Murphys located at 202 South Main Street (at the 4-way stop across from Alchemy Cafe.  Wineglass/wristband/map pickup starts at 9:30 at the Murphys Visitors and Wine Info Center on Saturday and Sunday. Tasting rooms open between 10:30 and 11:00 AM, and the event wraps up at 5:00 each day. Find a list of participating tasting rooms HERE.

2. Create a Tailored Wine Weekend Fit for YOU

Vineyard hikes, museum visits, book signings, live music, and meet & greet the winemakers offers add even more great value to your Spring Wine Weekend experience. If you pre-ordered your ticket online, start your weekend at one of the vineyards along Highway 4 like Brice Station (the highest elevation vineyard in Calaveras) or travel through the Rubber Chicken Forest to Twisted Oak in Vallecito.  Catch the spring super bloom and early bud break in the vineyards and drive down the ambling windy Six-Mile Road to Ironstone Vineyards. Even if the daffodils aren’t still blooming, the vineyards boasts a year-round floral extravaganza for your viewing pleasure. Head to Angels Camp and show them your wristband at the Angels Camp Museum for one free admission for each wristband. See gold rush history up close and personal on their 3.5 acre grounds housing two 10,000 square foot buildings along with main building showcasing Mark Twain and the Jumping Frog Jubilee!

3. Travel and Enjoy Calaveras Wines Safely

Calaveras has great options for enjoying your Spring Wine Weekend safely. Any one of the following transportation services will take care of getting you to and from your destinations while tasting award winning Calaveras County wines:

Calaveras Connect Public Transit – Give your designated driver a break by taking advantage of the new Saturday Hopper schedule. With super affordable ticket prices and numerous convenient pick-up/drop-off locations close to the heart of the action, you can save time and money every time you hop on. Saturday Hopper locations include Angels Camp WorldMark by Wyndham, the Travelodge in Angels Camp, historic downtown Angels Camp, Arnold Big Trees Market, Murphys historic downtown at the Murphys Creek Theater by Murphys Park, Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys and the San Andreas post office (and MORE). For additional details, check out the Saturday Hopper schedule here. Call Calaveras Connect to arrange a ride to take you to and from any one of the Highway 4 tasting rooms and vineyards.

Angels Cab Company 

Murphys Cab Company 

4. Explore Calaveras’ Historic Downtowns

Discover the history that surrounds the region and shop the myriad of specialty family owned businesses in our charming historic Gold Rush era buildings. While you’re in Moke Hill, stop in Renegade Winery for some of their award winning Cabernet Sauvignon.  Angels Camp, Murphys, Mokelumne Hill, and San Andreas each have a piece of California history worth exploring. What is a “Hop-of-Fame” and what’s with all the frogs?  Where is the first 3-story building built in California? Who were the two famous stagecoach robbers whose trials were held at the courthouse that still stands in San Andreas? What town features one of the oldest, continually operating (dare we say, haunted) hotels in California?

Ebbetts Pass Scenic Byway (part of Highway 4) is a high mountain pass in Alpine County that was used by the Miwok and Washoe people to trek over the Sierra Nevada mountains. In 1850, John Ebbetts, for whom the pass is now named, guided a band of miners over in search of gold in California. In the summertime, Highway 4 is open through to Nevada, however it is usually closed from November through May due to snow.  There is plenty of history to discover along this highway, especially at the quaint and oldest Chevron gas station located at the Camp Connell General Store. Take some time this weekend to take this beautiful drive into the High Sierra

5. One More Thing – Posterity Ciderworks

Wild. Rural. Rare. Brand new in Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County, Posterity Ciderworks is a small scale cidery and orchard that produces estate and small batch heritage apple, pear and quince alcoholic ciders. Sustainability and regenerative agriculture are central to their mission, as is allowing fruit varietal character to shine through. Take a 30-minute tour with their head cider maker that also includes a one hour table service tasting experience. Make reservations early since they are exclusive to only 10 people per time slot and there are only two time slots per day. What a great idea!

Looking for a place to stay?

From quaint and comfortable to spacious and luxurious, Calaveras has the lodging you’re looking for here.  If you need any help planning the rest of your stay here in Calaveras, please feel free to give us a call at the Calaveras Visitors Bureau 209-736-0049. Or better yet, come see as at the Angels Camp Museum – 753 South Main Street, Angels Camp, CA 95222.  We LOVE having visitors! Happy and safe travels!!