Wilderotter Vineyard

Crappy Owner and Service… me and a group of 9 came in for tasting we were sat outside in the freakin heat I winded up getting heat exhaustion… I felt horrible and hot so went inside to sit down as I was walking I passed out my friend came to my rescue the owner didn’t give a shit and walked outside to entertain the other quest the other people that worked there didn’t help at all only asked if I was drunk or had seizures my friend said no she needs water a wet rag a bucket they didn’t help her at all they just stood there… my best friend took me to the bathroom and started wetting my body with cold water then went back out to leave noooooooooo on asked to see if I was okay they just totally ignored me. Unprofessional careless greedy people

Hidden jam :) two thumbs up. Bethany was great! Outside area is very pretty, wine and cheese selection is awesome.

Great place for a picnic. The staff were lovely, very welcoming about letting us bring our lunch out to the tables overlooking the vineyards, and even brought us out a tablecloth. They brought out most of the wines we were tasting, even though they also had several other groups keeping them busy. We did bring our glasses in for some of the varieties, and when we did, they poured additional wines that were not on the regular tasting menu, because they had them open for a large group that was there. Their cheese plate was fun and had really excellent selections from Cowgirl. We were so happy we had decided to stop there.

I am writing this review super late but the experience will last for a long time. This was our first stop on the Amador County Wine Tasting excursion. The tasting room is super cute with two bars, and then an out door area overlooking the vineyards (perfect for large groups). We ordered a cheese plate and a tasting for two. The wines were absolutely amazing, some light, then grew in tannins as we got to the Reds. The cheese plate paired nicely with each wine, my favorite was the espresso cheese paired with the Cabernet (grapes from Napa). Great start to our day, ended up buying two bottles and a block of the expresso cheese. Cannot wait to come for more of their delicious wine and cheese. Thank you so much!

We stumbled in wet on a rainy Sunday and were told upon walking in that they were closing. aw bummers :/
But luckily my friend needed to use their restroom and while I was waiting for him to do his business, I was offered a tasting of their Zin by the winemaker’s wife. And I was very much happy to oblige… and so was my friend upon walking out of the bathroom.
Their wine was yummy and I appreciated their accommodation for us even as they were closing. I purchased a couple bottles of Zin and their Gold Medal Barbera.
Must stop in for a tasting. This place wasn’t a planned stop for us, but will definitely have to make it one the next time around!

The wine was ok. A little pricey. Didn’t buy a bottle so paid the $ 5 tasting fee but my daughter and niece each bought a bottle and were charged the $ 5 in addition to the cost of their wine purchase! Definitely not worth the added cost.

Wilderotter was recommended by another winery owner. What’s that tell you!!! I could stop here but I won’t. We loved this place. It’s not a big chrome building with mediocre wine. It’s a great, small tasting room that is staffed by some very knowledgeable people telling you about their wine and wine in general. Honest, open, and hella nice. Sam was our server and he worked for his $$$ this past Sunday. We talked his ear off as he led us through a flight of wines that I’d serve to anyone, anywhere. That’s how good they are.
In addition to all this, I have to admit that I can appreciate a break from the wines that Amador County is known for. Zins and Barberas, to name a few. It’s no surprise that you can’t get a Chard or Cab in this district. The weather there just doesn’t provide what those grapes require. So, what do you do? You buy from a region that does produce amazing Cabs and Chards. Then, that dialed in wine works his magic onsite, to produce the bliss in a glass that Wilderotter sells. Both the Cab and the Chard are just terrific.
So, we bought a case and joined their wine club. Don’t pass this one up. It’s not flashy and fancy but they make some totally amazing wines.

Great personal service at our tasting yesterday. The cheese plate is divine and fun to do taste with the wines. This was our first visit to this winery, though we go to Amador a couple times a year… now they will be a regular visit for us. :)

Its all about the what’s in the bottle.
Done deal.

Pretentious, $ 5 fee not well advertised. We didn’t like any of the wines expect their Muscat and decided not buy and they hit us with the fee. That’s their right but it was not told to us before our tasting and there was only a tiny sign the other end of the bar. Bad choice for wife’s bday. Only place the entire weekend where we were charged And where we didn’t buy bottles.

What a great, fun experience! $ 5 tastings… it includes a nice little cheese plate… with cheese, chocolate, salami, bread and olive oil. Tiny portions, but its to really pair with the wines, not to make a meal out of. We were served by Ravel, she was very kind, knowledgeable, and fun. We enjoyed all of the wines in our tasting, which was ten wines! We each then enjoyed a glass of wine on the patio… and although it was getting close to closing time, Marianne, another employee, was making sure we were comfortable, and making sure we didn’t feel rushed as they were trying to get their closing duties completed! We enjoyed every moment, and bought a nice bottle of wine! I can’t wait to go back… enjoy the other tasting list, and get a bottle of my favorites and buy a couple of wine glasses!

It’s rare that I can’t get a wine tasting out of my mind, but Wilderotter has achieved that. By far my favorite winery visit of the day. Ended up buying a bottle of the bubbly and the dessert wine but starting to think I need a case of the bubbly. I could drink that like water (probably not a good idea)! The cheese pairing is fantastic — that Cowgirl Creamery Pepato! Go by and visit, you won’t regret it.

Probably my favorite visit of the day. Really enjoyed their Bubbles and chardonnay. I was immediately struck by the quaint, picturesque setting. There’s a Pincic seating area with water noises, shade and flowers, and it’s located immediately next to the vines. Their Chardonnay just hit the spot on a warm day while I enjoyed a sandwhich.
The service is very friendly and no imposing. It fills up fast and gets busy. So it’s not the place to ask questions about your wine and expect a one on one service. I think that closed off picnic area is really the best.
Don’t forget to mark the map on the wall with where you’re from.

We’ve been to wine tastings at a lot of vineyards, but without a doubt the presentation at Wilderotter was the best. They give you huge pours and complementary cheese plate with bread, homemade olive oil, and nuts.
The wine is delicious. This was one of our very favorites.

I’ve been wine tasting in Amador many times. This weekend was my first visit to Wilderotter. The tasting room is small, but very cute. There were quite a few people there, but we were greeted right away and started tasting. None of us that tasted are white drinkers so we started with the reds. All of which were amazing! My favorite was the tempranillo and the petite sirah (which we got a bottle of). I also LOVED their cab but those grapes were from Rutherford.
We were told about each wine, and I really enjoyed how enthusiastic he was about them. You can tell they love what they do.
Amazing wine, great service (which is something that is lacking at the winery we are currently members, unfortunately) and they serve some yummy looking food! I will definitely be back for another tasting and I’ll be bringing friends! And we will for sure be leaving with a bottle or two.

This is one of my FAVORITE wineries up in Amador county, again a small one that most people miss but their wine are killer. Everything tends to be on the dry side. I am not a white wine fan but I love ALL their wines. I shocked my husband with coming home with a bottle of white wine, last time I went wine tasting and it was from here. It was just done so well.
Very small little vineyard, so space is limited but I haven’t had any trouble getting served right away.
They do charge $ 5 for tasting, I believe that is new this year. But now they also provide a plate of chocolate, fruit, cheese, bread & olive oil to pair with it.
There is a small deck in the back for seating as well.

I am so happy with this little winery. The wine was delicious and they didn’t bother to ask for a tasting fee up front. This is why I ended up buying 4 bottles of their Tempranillo. By far the best Estate red wine they produce. It has an incredible dry finish that would be great with a medium-​rare rib eye steak, covered in sauteed mushrooms and onions (Is your mouth watering? Mine is).
When we arrived we were greeted by an old lazy dog with a brown coat and happily wagging his tail for attention. When we opened the large wood doors to the front we received a smile and a nice greeting and were promptly served a cheese and cracker platter to taste with. Since it was a nice day, our large group sat on the patio and enjoyed the sun while our server brought us our tastings. It was a great winery and I am glad that we stopped in here. More wineries like these in this county and I will definitely come back.

Great Petite Syrah, no debutantes, slightly wacky staff, and a lazy dog — this is my sort of winery.
We stopped in after a (partially fun, partially daunting) day of Apple Hill apple picking. We had several Chardonnay dislikers in the group, and the Chardonnays here didn’t sway us; however, the Petite Syrah was exceptional, and the Ambrosia was delicious.
Our pour lady was convinced we’d been in before, as a group — one of us had visited before with her family, but the rest of us hadn’t. She was pretty convinced, though — kept trying to get us to admit it.
The officious manager pointed at two of our group and told the pour lady «You definitely gotta card these two.» He was right, but I’m still not sure if he meant to be harsh or funny. It wasn’t particularly funny.

Let me start by saying that Wilderotter wines are, for the most part, very good. We used to be wine club members, but recently cancelled after appalling treatment we received from the pompous owner (Jay).
I won’t bore anyone with the details, but when confronted with our concerns, the owner literally walked away without saying a word. In fairness, the tasting room manager was helpful and welcoming, but I refuse to give my patronage to such a pretentious and impudent individual when there are so many other good wineries in Amador County.
Cheers!

Jay Wilderotter is intense. That is good for a winemaker/​owner who has the zest for making the kind of wine he does.
His place is beautiful.
Snickers the dog (Chocolate on the outside, nuts on the inside) was too tired to join in.
We chatted with Jay as he described each pouring.
2009 Mouvedre
2008 Zin
2008 Grenache (dry)
2009 Tempranillo
2008 Barbera
2008 Syrah
2008 Petite Syrah
All of them had more spice and pepper than my palate likes. Some may come to a better place with aging in the bottle for a few years. Strong minerality and aging potential here.
We loved the Vin Doux and bought a split for $ 20. It is worth it.