| This is a really fun day trip, but could require a | | | | done two summer seasons of gold panning in a |
| designated driver for visits to all the wine tasting | | | | pre-innkeeper life, we were thrilled with their gold |
| rooms! From Groveland head down the hill on | | | | specimen, a huge 44 lb flakey nugget found in |
| Route 120 to Highway 49 north, then follow to | | | | 1992 at the Jamestown mine and housed in true |
| Angels Camp, about 45 minutes. Take a right | | | | bank vault. |
| onto Route 4 and follow past Murphys, and | | | | Ironstone has oodles of regular public events |
| Arnold to Calaveras Big Trees State Park. | | | | including concert series, black and white movie |
| If touring the Sierra side of California, the groves | | | | nights, parking lot sales of wine and more. From |
| of Big Trees from this park are wonderful, we | | | | Ironstone return to Murphy's and explore the |
| think they are far better than the Groves one | | | | many tasting rooms in the downtown area. We |
| finds in Yosemite. The trees are easily accessible | | | | always make time for Zucca Winery, found just |
| from the parking areas and there are far fewer | | | | off the main street up a bit from the park |
| tourists to contend with for the trails and photo | | | | stepping down into a cave. The ambiance is warm |
| opportunities here. There are miles of trails, and | | | | and the wine most tasteful! We left with a bottle |
| not all of them go up and down hills. We enjoy | | | | of port. |
| tramping about the wilderness for an hour or two | | | | Next walk around the corner to Hatcher, one of |
| before heading back into Murphys for the rest of | | | | our favorites both for the wine and the charm of |
| the day. | | | | Matt and his tasting room team. Victor thinks this |
| When finished with a Big Trees adventure, head | | | | year's Zinfandel is most outstanding. We bought a |
| west again on Highway 4 to Murphy's. Entering | | | | magnum. Twisted Oak with their whimsical gift |
| Murphy's you will see a sign that claims to be the | | | | shop and fun approach to everything is another |
| "other wine country." We fully agree. Our last trip | | | | worthy stop and their wines are good too! |
| to Murphy's we did a stop at most of the | | | | Murphy's is a great walking village with good |
| vineyard tasting rooms, starting with the | | | | window shopping. We ventured into several |
| country-side setting of Ironstone Vineyards, the | | | | galleries and antique shops and even found a good |
| only tasting room surrounded by their hillside | | | | sign to use at the hotel: Gone Fishing carved in |
| grapes. To reach Ironstone, take a left at the old | | | | the side of a wooden fish. If we ever do get out |
| Murphy's Hotel and follow the signs, anther 2 miles. | | | | fishing, we are now ready with a proper sign! |
| Once at Ironstone, enjoy the tasting room and | | | | Don't overlook the antique plumbing store on the |
| surrounding gift shop. Ironstone is a great location | | | | left, just beyond the old Murphy's Hotel, for bit of |
| to have a nice lunch from the deli counter with | | | | fussing about old porcelain and plumbing pieces. |
| views of the vineyards. We enjoyed the calm | | | | Even I had fun here. Amazingly they have the |
| setting along with a glass of the reserve | | | | clawfoot tubs on the third floor, how did they get |
| chardonnay. Ironstone is famous also for their | | | | there and why the third floor? The Murphy's Hotel |
| 500,000 daffodil bulbs that all bloom together in | | | | is a true step back in time. Here we tried an |
| March and their well-kept year round flower | | | | Australian wine and another local wine and |
| displays. | | | | enjoyed the impromptu guitar-sing-a-long |
| While at the Ironstone complex, take time to | | | | performed by some regulars. |
| explore the museum and jewelry center. Having | | | | |