The Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg

.The Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg
By Kimberly Horg-Webb
he Old Sugar Mill is located along
the scenic Sacramento River in
Clarksburg, Calif The building was
originally located in Logan utah. When
the Utah factory closed in 1933 it was
brought to Clarksburg piece by piece by
railroad. It produced sugar until 1993 and
was then vacant for several years until
plans were made by the Carvalho Family
to renovate the building and create a destination for another commodity; wine tasting and a custom crush facility.
.
The Old Sugar Mill opened its' doors
in 2003 and is now home to a unique union
of six California wineries and their signature wines: Todd Taylor Wines, Three
Wine Company, The Solomon Wine
Company, Heringer Estates, Clarksburg
Wme Company and the Carvalho Family
Wines. Each winery offers visitors something different. '
The Carvalho Family Winery has
been making prernium wine for more than
lOO years. The family tradition started in
the villages and vineyards of Portugal and
now continues in Clarksburg. They are
dedicated to the production of small-lot,
hand-crafted Califomia wines using grapes
T
. from the Clarksburg appellation and other
high-quality vineyards throughout California.
Todd Taylor Wines produces single
vineyard designated wines. Grapes are
specifically selected from vineyards that
produce premium fiuit for their varietal.
Todd Taylor makes its own wine from start
to finish using traditional methods and
aged in oak cooperage that highlights the
flavors of the specific grape.
The Heringer Estates premium wines
,.have more than 140years of farming experience under its belt. Winemaker Michael
Heringer is the sixth generation of
Heringers to farm in the Clarksburg area.
Heringer family members are directly'
involved in both managing the vineyards
and handcrafting the wine.
Michael's wife, Donna Heringer was
proudly holding the newest member of
their family, Tucker, in her anus while
explaining why her family knows how to
make wine. "There are six generations of
grape fanners at Heringer so we know how,
to grow grapes," she said. "There is great
wine here in a close proximity and it is a
great place to come out and see."
Sacramento resident Bernadette
Austin-Bower took a day trip to The Mill
Outside The Old Sugar Mill
with her parents who were visiting from
out of town. "We just finished tasting at
. Heringer. I like tasting the fruity wines and
like Chardonnay and dessert wines the
best," Austin-Bower, said. She says she has
been to The Mill before and thought it
would be a fun place to take her family.
Rudy Meyers, also from Sacramento,
is another repeat visitor. He keeps coming
back for more because he likes the atmosphere and all the different varieties of
wines. "It is rareto find a place like this
Continued on Page 22
(Kimberly Horg-Webb)
Inside The Old Sugar Mill s hallway s.
(Kimberly Horg-Webb)
Discover:The Old
Sugar Mill in Clarksburg---------Continued from Page 21
, with all the different wineries in one location," he said.
Tim Waits, president of Clarksburg
Wille Growers and Vintners Association,
had the same to say about theunique setting. "AU the wineries here offer something
The Old Sugar Mill Marketing Representative Mary Tye with Clarksburg Wine
Growers and VintersPresident TIm Waits.
(Kimberly Horg-Webb)
different so it gives people a chance' to taste
a lot of different wines and helps promote
them," Waits said. "We are so fortunate to
have this in our community." WaitSstarted
growing grapes six years ago. He has 135
acres split between Pinot Noir and Petite
Sirah, According to him, Clarksburg is a
small conununity that is really close to a
large community so visiting it is like going
back in time.
It was also the first time Lodi residents
Jeny and Lauren Wisener visited The Mill.
The couple says it's not only a great place
for them' to taste wine but it's also a pet
fiiendly establishment and they like that
they can bring their dog.
The Sugar Mill actually prides itself in
being a place for the entire family. Many of
the wineries offer children' candy and pets
dog treats so they don't feel left out when
their parents are wine tasting. Co-owner of
Three Wine Company, Erin Cline says the
people who come to taste are a casual
group who bring their pets and children
along for the experience.
-.Cline and her husband Matt came up
, with tile name, Three by what the couple
'believes is important in making good wine;
soil, micro-climate and sustainable winegrowing. Matt Cline has been practicing his
skills at making wine for the last 20 years.
He has a close relationship with the growers
who he buys from in Contra Costa County.
"We opened up in 2007 and are the newest
winery to open here," Erin said. Three of
Three's most popular wines are the premium Zinfandel, Carignane and the Mataro.
Soloman Wine Company has three
labels: Cloud 9, their premium signature
blend; Garsa Wine, a .special blend: and
Lodi residents Jerry and Lauren Wisenor
taste wine
Solomon Wine Company
while Solomon employee Bill Brown
explains the various selections.
(Kimberly Horg-Webb)
Muse Wine which is their light body party
wine. Bill Brown, Soloman Wine pourer,
has been working there tor the past four
years. He says he sees not only visitors
from out of the area but a lot oflocals taste
wine; some ofthe locals that come for tast-
at
Continued
Oil
Page 30
Discover:The Old Sugar Mill'in Clarksburg-------:...---~--
Above: OWner Erin Cline at Three Wine
Company.
. (Kimberly Horg-Webb)
Below: Sacramento resident Joe Meraz,
tastingfor thefirst time at Heringer.
.(Kimberly Horg- Webb)
Continued from Page 22
COlUlUyChristmas for Charity is coming up
on December 4. But don't despair if you've
ings used to haul sugar beets when The
Mill produced sugar.
already missed it, for the Port & Chocolate
The sixth winery is Clarksburg Wine
tasting is coming up on February 12 and 13,
Company. It is a custom crush facility ded2011; the Wine, Cheese and Bread Faire is
July 2 and 3; the Crush Festival is
icated to the production of wines. Whether
September 17 and 18 and Black Friday is
it is an entire vineyard or a small lot,
November 25. There are weddings and site
Clarksburg Wine has the equipment, tools
rentals available at the Sugar Mill as well.
and amenities to produce world class
And each winery's tasting room offers a
wines. It plans 011 having its first release
variety of unique gift items for those who
sometime in spring 2011.
want to take home a souvenir. .
The Mill is also expanding with five
Do take a break from the wine tasting
ne}" custom crush buildings, which will be
and enjoy lunch at one of these two local
available for existing wineries and new
restaurants, both located within one mile of •
oaes. Construction will start in Spring 2011.
the Sugar Mill. Try La Amistad Cafe,' a
The Qld Sugar. Mill·. Marketing
Representative Mary Tye thinks. wines
Mexican Restaurant that locals refer to as
Shorty's, or visit the Cafe/Deli at Husick's
made in the Delta region are becoming
more recognized for their high quality.
Country Store. For those who are hungry
"The climate here is similar to the climate
but don't want to drive, Husick's will cus.. tom plan a picnic lunch on the lawn of The
in Sonoma and Napa," Tye said.
Mill by calling (916) 915-7236 ahead of
A great time to visit The Old Sugar
Mill is during one of their big events
time. People can check out their menu
online at husicks.com.
throughout the year. The Clarksburg
The Old Sugar Mill is located in the historic town of Clarksburg, fifteen minutes southwest of the Capitol building
in Sacramento.
35265 Willow Avenue
Clarksburg, CA 95612 .
Open Wed - Sun, 11 a.m, to 5 p.m.
(916) 744-1615, www.oldsugarmill.com
La Amistad Cafe, aka Shorty's
36046 Jefferson Blvd
Clarksburg, CA 95612
Phone: 916-744-1346
Breakfast and lunch. Open Daily except
Mondays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Husick's Country Store, CaWDeli
36510 Riverview Drive
Clarksburg, CA 95612
Lunch, Open Mon- Tues & Thu-Fri 10
a.m. to '4 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(916) 744-1077