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Step aside, mass-produced Merlots and forgettable Chardonnays—Nello Olivo Winery is stirring up Placerville with Italian roots, California spirit, and enough award-winning bottles to boost anyone’s wine street cred. Follow your inner sommelier to 643 Bee Street, just north of Highway 50, and you’ll find yourself setting foot in a slice of Old World fun.

This isn’t your average swirl-and-sip spot. It’s a bona fide wine experience inside the historic wine cellar of the 1853 Sequoia Mansion, where every bottle gets unleashed with personality and panache.

The Grapefather’s Legacy

Meet the man behind the magic—Nello Olivo, affectionately dubbed “The Grapefather.” With Italian heritage and an insatiable love for winemaking, Nello wrangles 11 grape varieties across eight sun-soaked acres in the El Dorado foothills. His claim to fame? Bringing rare Italian grapes—think Sagrantino and Fiano—straight to California, collaborating with the folks at UC Davis to shake things up. The result? Hundreds of medals and a following dubbed the “Wine Mob.” That’s legit street cred in the wine world.

The Wines People Can’t Stop Talking About

If you’re tired of reds that taste like grape juice and whites that could double as cleaning products, Nello Olivo’s lineup is your palate’s new playground. Try the Sangiovese, winner of “Best Sangiovese of California.” Craving complexity? Go for the robust Barbera or the beautifully Italian Primitivo—loaded with jammy depth and seasoned with a toasty, spicy finish. Don’t even think about skipping Grapefather Red, a proprietary blend that tastes like a Sicilian family reunion: bold, layered, and just a little wild.

White wine lovers, you’ll get a taste of Italy with peerless varietals like Arneis, Fiano, and the fruit-filled Viognier. Need proof the winemaking wizards do dessert right? Petite Sirah Sweet Dessert is as smooth as a Sinatra ballad.

And if you like your wine with a hint of rebellion, reach for a bottle of Cali Mojo—Nello’s cheeky ode to sangria, jazzed up with ginger beer sass. Yes, it’s a thing. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Step Into History (and Maybe a Bit of Spooky Fun)

You’re not just here for wine. The Placerville Tasting Room, tucked underneath the Sequoia Mansion, delivers a cave-like vibe heavy on atmospheric charm. Local legends whisper about its haunted spaces, and guests come for the wine but stay for the storytelling.

Each visitor is greeted like an old friend. The staff works their magic, pairing curated wine flights with cheese boards and anecdotes about the mansion’s past. It’s not rare for Nello himself to be pouring behind the bar, ready to talk you through the nuances of each pour or joke about his “grape domination plans.”

Have a crowd? Bring your party of 6 or more and call ahead. Private tastings for up to 16 guarantee everyone gets a good seat and a full glass. They even have winery maps, so you don’t need to navigate by intuition alone.

Award-Winning Fun, No Fussiness Required

If medals impress you, Nello Olivo’s got walls and cellars full. “Best Winery” for four years running by Mt. Democrat Readers Choice, Golds and Double Golds from coast to coast, and more “Best of” honors than you can shake a corkscrew at. But don’t expect pretentious pours—you’ll get knowledgeable, genuine staff who love their craft, their guests, and a good laugh at the tasting bar.

Live music sometimes spills onto the weekends, making the whole joint feel more festival than classroom. The only test here is which bottle you pick up to take home (hint: buy two, you’ll regret nothing).

Planning Your Visit

Here’s your cheat sheet for max enjoyment:

Address and Hours:
643 Bee St., Placerville, CA 95667
530-409-5603
Open Saturday and Sunday, 11-5PM
Closed: Monday through Friday (they need time to make more wine magic)

Wheelchair accessible? Absolutely.
Bringing Fido? Yes, bring your well-behaved, leashed canine companion.

Walk-ins are always welcome, but call ahead for groups to get the star treatment and maybe a haunted history lesson.

Taste, Laugh, and Explore

A trip to Nello Olivo Winery pairs perfectly with a jaunt through Placerville’s historic Main Street. If you’re apple-picking in Apple Hill or cruising toward Lake Tahoe, the winery’s a quick detour you won’t regret—especially when you’re holding a glass of Sagrantino or Grapefather Red and trying to remember why you ever bought boxed wine.

This isn’t just wine tasting. It’s a celebration of bolder flavors, local history, and a wine mob that totally wants you in their club. No secret handshake required. Just an appetite for invention, a taste for Italian flair, and maybe a selfie with the cellar’s quirkiest ghost.

Ready to pull the cork? Placerville’s Nello Olivo Winery is your ticket. Bring your crew, your palate, and maybe a sense of adventure—there’s always a new medal, grape, or story waiting around the barrel at 643 Bee St.