Andersonia Winery isn’t just another stop on your wine-tasting tour—it’s where history meets flavor. Once an unlicensed speakeasy in the 1960s, this unique tasting room now serves organic wines made with minimal intervention. Add live music and stunning vineyard views to the mix, and you’ve got the perfect winter getaway.
A Winery With a Story (and a Secret Door)
Andersonia isn’t your average tasting room. In the 1960s, this space operated as an unlicensed speakeasy, complete with its secret door that only locals knew about. It’s been transformed into a warm and welcoming tasting room that still carries that sense of exclusivity—but without the need for secret passwords. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 12 PM to 5 PM, it’s the perfect spot to unwind after a long week.
The tasting room feels more like your favorite neighborhood bar than a formal wine establishment. There are no pretentious vibes here—just great wine and good company. And if you prefer your wine with fresh air, their patio overlooks 20 acres of vineyard, offering stunning views even in winter. Bonus: live music often fills the air on Saturday evenings, so watch their schedule.
The Wines: Organic Grapes and Low-Intervention Magic
Andersonia takes pride in its low-intervention winemaking process. What does that mean? It means they let nature do most of the work. Their grapes are grown organically on steep volcanic soils at an elevation of 3,200 feet in Camino, CA. The cool evening temperatures from the Sierra Nevada mountains help preserve the grapes’ natural acidity, resulting in wines that are aromatic and full of character.
One standout is their 2021 Zinfandel—a true survivor. While most of their grapes were impacted by smoke from the Caldor Fire, this Zinfandel emerged unscathed. With cuttings from Napa’s famed Howell Mountain vines, it’s a lighter-colored Zinfandel with bold aromas and flavors that reflect its unique high-elevation terroir. If you plan to visit this winter, grab a bottle before it sells out—it’s that limited.
Andersonia also prides itself on creating wild-fermented, unfiltered, and unfined wines. Translation: they skip unnecessary additives and let gravity and time do the heavy lifting. The result? Wines that are as close to their natural state as possible.
A Family Affair
Andersonia is run by Brandy and Shauna Anderson, along with their son Budd (a budding winemaker himself). Brandy brings his botany and soil science background to every bottle he produces. His motto? “Let’s keep things simple.” He believes great wine starts with great grapes—and he’s not wrong.
Shauna handles marketing and sales while also curating events and playlists for the winery (yes, there’s even a Spotify playlist called “Bud to Barrel” featuring music inspired by each year’s vintage). Their son Budd helps out during fermentation season and has already learned how to make Cabernet Franc—before learning how to read.
This family-first approach is part of what makes Andersonia feel so special. It’s not just about selling wine; it’s about sharing their passion for sustainable farming and natural winemaking with everyone who enters their doors.
Winter at Andersonia: What to Expect
Winter is an underrated time to visit wineries in California’s Sierra Foothills. The crowds thin out, the air is crisp, and there’s something magical about sipping wine while bundled up on a patio overlooking dormant vineyards. At Andersonia, you can enjoy all this while sampling wines made with care and intention.
If you’re lucky enough to visit on a Saturday evening with live music, you’ll get an extra layer of ambiance with your glass of Zinfandel or Syrah. And if you’re looking for something more intimate or educational, private tastings can be arranged—just reach out ahead of time.
Getting There
Andersonia is located at 2875 Larsen Drive, Camino, CA 95709, just two minutes off Highway 50 (Cedar Grove exit). It’s an easy stop if you’re heading up to Tahoe or exploring Placerville for the day.
Whether you’re stopping by for a quick tasting or planning to linger over multiple glasses while enjoying live music on the patio, Andersonia makes it worth the trip. So, if you’re craving an escape this winter that combines history, family vibes, and some seriously good wine, head to Andersonia in Placerville, California. Don’t blame us if you leave with more bottles than planned!
Sources: andersonia.wine, Andersonia Wine Facebook Page, Andersonia Wine Instagram Page
Header Image Source: andersonia.wine
