Narsai David: Four Fires, A New Wine And Food Festival In Amador County

I recently found a bottle of "backyard cellars" at home. It was from one of my first attempts at home winemaking—and my goodness, the memories that brought back.

It was in 1966 and I had enough zinfandel grapes to fill a brand new 15-gallon oak barrel came from Ken Deaver's vineyard in Amador County—I was hooked. By the way, the zin was not only drinkable; it was actually pretty good after so many years—I would freely admit otherwise.

At the time, Deaver was already farming vines that were already 100 years old. A few years after that, I started a restaurant and pretty much capped my winemaking days.

Just recently, we visited Amador after a very long absence. Wow! Has it changed—so many wineries and restaurants. For so many years, only the local knew about Amador wine but the word is out.

Tasting rooms are all about and tourists are discovering some neat hotels and restaurants as well. Some of the best zinfandel and barbera in the state is grown there and the Deaver vineyards still has those vines growing. New varieties from the South of France, Spain and elsewhere are also making a really nice showing.

Next spring, they're starting an Amador wine and food festival called Four Fires which describes the cooking for four different styles, including a giant outdoor paella and spit-roasted meats and it's going to benefit the Amador County Fair Association.

So that will be a new wine and food event in up in gold country!