From Apples To Wine: Discover El Dorado County's Edio Vineyards in California's Sierra Foothills, Home To The Delfino Family's High Altitude Vines, Ep 129

“We’re about as high as you can get in the Sierra Foothills and still grow grapes.” — Derek Delfino El Dorado County in the Sierra Foothills wine country is one of California’s best kept secrets, but it shouldn’t be. When gold was discovered here in the mid 1800s, the Italians who came to the region to strike it rich brought with them their grapevines and winemaking traditions. The folks with Edio Vineyards at Delfino Farms in the Camino district came from this heritage. In homage to patriarch Edio Delfino - who created the family’s fruit orchards, the third generation planted vineyards at what many might think is an impossible elevation - up to 3,000 feet - where wintry snows are not uncommon. Today, you’ll meet brothers Derek and Peter Delfino, who bring their wine growing and winemaking talents as third generation vintners to the family’s endeavor, and along with other family members, created what today is one of the most exciting wineries in El Dorado County. Edio is named for their grandfather, Edio Delfino, a lifelong farmer and visionary who helped establish Apple Hill as a premiere apple growing region in the Sierra Foothills. With Derek managing the vineyards, Peter making Edio wines, together they are balancing family tradition with innovation and a through line of love for the land and a deep respect for where they come from. The Marys were fortunate enough to visit Edio in 2023 and we enjoyed the beautiful views from the new tasting room. We sipped the fabulous wines that are full of distinct characteristics of the region - the zesty acidity, the aromatic notes and minerality really blew us away. So we’re so happy to have Derek and Peter with us to share their story.