Fair Play AVA

Fair Play takes its name from a Gold Rush-era mining camp. The Alta Californian newspaper of December 21, 1853, described Fair Play as a prosperous little mining town, and the name itself is attributed to a peacekeeping call during a dispute between early residents. The first commercial vineyard and winery in the area was established in 1887 by Civil War veteran Horace Bigelow, who planted 4,000 vines and was producing 600 to 1,000 gallons of wine annually by 1898. After Prohibition, viticulture lay dormant for decades. The modern era began in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Brian Fitzpatrick, Bill Naylor, and Les and Lynn Russell were among the first to plant vineyards in earnest along what are today Fair Play Road and Perry Creek Road. Fitzpatrick Winery and Lodge, founded in 1980, became Fair Play's first winery of the modern era. Brian Fitzpatrick, then president of the Fair Play Winery Association, led the effort to establish the AVA, submitting the petition that resulted in official recognition in February 2001. Cedarville Vineyard, established in the 1990s, is among the early wineries where the original owner remains active today.

• Gold Rush origins: Fair Play named after a mining camp mentioned as early as December 1853 in the Alta Californian newspaper
• First commercial winery: Civil War veteran Horace Bigelow, 1887; 4,000 vines planted; 600 to 1,000 gallons produced annually by 1898
• Modern renaissance: late 1970s and early 1980s, led by Brian Fitzpatrick, Bill Naylor, and Les and Lynn Russell
• AVA designation: February 26, 2001; petition led by Brian Fitzpatrick, then president of the Fair Play Winery Association

Fair Play's defining feature is its exceptionally high elevation in the Sierra Nevada foothills. At 2,000 to 3,000 feet above sea level, it is the second-highest average elevation AVA in California, exceeded only by Squaw Valley-Miramonte. This elevation creates a cool continental climate with warm days and significantly cooler nights, slowing ripening and allowing complex tannins, sugars, and phenolic compounds to develop fully. The AVA sits within the Cosumnes River watershed, and its southeastern and southern boundaries follow Cedar Creek into Scott Creek into the South Fork of the Cosumnes River, a clear geological demarcation where the granitic soils of Fair Play give way to volcanic soils. Most vineyards are planted on ridge tops and hillsides to facilitate cold air drainage and manage the risk of late spring frosts. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 40 inches, more than surrounding lower-elevation areas, and the growing season runs 230 to 250 days.

• Elevation: 2,000 to 3,000 feet; second-highest average elevation AVA in California after Squaw Valley-Miramonte
• Climate: Region 3 (under 3,500 degree days); warm days and cool nights from elevation; 230 to 250 day growing season
• Rainfall: 35 to 40 inches annually; higher than surrounding lower-elevation areas within El Dorado and Sierra Foothills AVAs
• Topography: rolling hillsides and rounded ridge tops; vineyards sited on high ground to allow cold air to drain and minimize frost damage

The defining viticultural characteristic of Fair Play, and the primary justification for its separate AVA designation, is its soil type. The entire appellation is underlain by deep, well-drained sandy loams and coarse sandy loams derived from decomposed granite. The three principal soil series are Holland, Musick, and Shaver, and the AVA boundaries were specifically drawn to include these series and to exclude shallower granitic soils (Chawanakee and Chaix series) to the north and east, as well as the volcanic soils that predominate to the south and southeast. This granitic terroir provides excellent drainage, encourages deep root development, and imparts a distinctive stony minerality to Fair Play wines that sets them apart from other Sierra Foothills and El Dorado AVA wines produced on volcanic soils.

• Primary soils: Holland, Musick, and Shaver series; deep sandy loam and coarse sandy loam derived from decomposed granite
• Boundary design: drawn specifically to include the three granitic soil series and exclude shallow granitic and volcanic soils
• Southern boundary follows Creek and river waterways marking the geological transition from granite to volcanic soils
• Excellent drainage and low fertility encourage deep rooting and concentrated flavors; many vineyards require minimal or no irrigation

Zinfandel is the dominant variety in Fair Play's approximately 350 planted acres, and the region has built its reputation on structured, mineral-driven Zinfandels that favor fresh red-berry fruit and spice over the jammy, overripe profiles common in warmer California regions. Rhône varieties, including Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Viognier, are also prominent and growing in importance; the topography of Fair Play has been compared to Piedmont, while the climate shares characteristics with the Rhône Valley, making both Italian and French varieties well-suited to the terroir. Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon round out the principal reds. For whites, Viognier and Grenache Blanc are the most common plantings, alongside Sauvignon Blanc, all of which benefit from cool nights that preserve acidity and fresh aromatics.

• Zinfandel (dominant variety): fresh red-berry fruit with spice; mineral and earthy character from granitic soils; structured acidity for aging
• Rhône varieties: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Viognier are prominent and increasing; topography and climate draw comparisons to Piedmont and the Rhône
• Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon: dense, structured reds that benefit from the long growing season at elevation
• White varieties: Viognier and Grenache Blanc are most common; Sauvignon Blanc also planted; cool nights preserve fresh aromatics and acidity

Fair Play is home to over 20 small, family-owned wineries. Fitzpatrick Winery and Lodge, founded by Brian Fitzpatrick in 1980, was the region's first modern winery and has since changed ownership; the winery operation is now known as Gold Mountain. Cedarville Vineyard, established in the 1990s by Jonathan and Susan Lachs at 2,500 feet elevation, is an organically farmed estate producing Zinfandel, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Viognier, and is recognized as one of the region's consistently high-quality producers. Perry Creek Winery, situated at approximately 2,400 feet along Perry Creek Road, is known for Rhône varietals and Zinfandels from its 60 acres of granitic-soil vineyards. Element 79 Vineyards, Bumgarner Winery, Skinner Vineyards, and Cantiga Wineworks are among the other active producers showcasing the region's range. The Fair Play Winery Association lists 22 active member wineries, and the majority of production is sold direct-to-consumer through wine clubs and tasting rooms.

• Fitzpatrick Winery and Lodge: founded 1980 by Brian Fitzpatrick; Fair Play's first modern winery; winery portion now operating as Gold Mountain under current ownership
• Cedarville Vineyard: established 1990s; organically farmed estate at 2,500 feet; Jonathan Lachs produces Zinfandel, Syrah, Grenache, Viognier, and Cabernet Sauvignon
• Perry Creek Winery: 60 acres of granitic-soil vineyards at approximately 2,400 feet; specializes in Rhône varietals and Zinfandels
• Fair Play Winery Association: 22 active member wineries; most operate direct-to-consumer via wine clubs and appointment-based tastings

Fair Play AVA (27 CFR 9.168) was established by TTB ruling ATF-440, published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2001. In January 2015, TTB expanded the AVA by 1,200 acres (approximately 2 square miles) following a petition from Randy and Tina Rossi of Saluti Cellars, effective February 5, 2015. The AVA lies entirely within the El Dorado AVA (27 CFR 9.61), which in turn is contained within the Sierra Foothills AVA (27 CFR 9.120). As with all U.S. AVAs, wines bearing the Fair Play designation must contain a minimum of 85 percent fruit sourced from within the appellation boundary. There are no mandated varietal restrictions or minimum planting requirements, allowing producers flexibility to work with a wide range of red and white varieties. The AVA boundary was designed specifically around soil geology, enclosing the three deep granitic soil series and excluding adjacent volcanic and shallow granitic soils.

• Established February 26, 2001 (27 CFR 9.168); expanded by 1,200 acres effective February 5, 2015 after petition by Saluti Cellars
• Contained entirely within El Dorado AVA (27 CFR 9.61), which is in turn within Sierra Foothills AVA (27 CFR 9.120)
• 85 percent minimum fruit sourcing required for Fair Play AVA label designation; standard federal AVA requirement
• No varietal restrictions; boundary drawn on soil geology to enclose Holland, Musick, and Shaver granitic soil series

Fair Play maintains a quiet, agricultural character that contrasts with California's higher-traffic wine destinations. Located about one hour from Sacramento, the region is best accessed via the Somerset/Fair Play Road corridor in southern El Dorado County, with wineries concentrated along Fair Play Road and Perry Creek Road. Many wineries operate by appointment only, offering intimate tastings with owners and winemakers in family-run tasting rooms and vineyard settings among oak and pine forests. Some wineries feature wine caves, picnic areas, and event spaces. The region borders Amador County wine country, and nearby historic towns include Placerville to the northwest and Plymouth to the southwest. The Fair Play Winery Association hosts an annual Zin Fest and participates in the El Dorado Passport Weekend, typically held in spring. Late spring through early fall offers the most reliable weather for visits.

• Location: approximately one hour from Sacramento; southern El Dorado County; wineries clustered along Fair Play Road and Perry Creek Road
• Tasting culture: many wineries by appointment only; intimate experiences with owners and winemakers; some offer wine caves and picnic areas
• Neighboring regions: adjacent to Amador County wine country; close to historic Gold Rush towns Placerville and Plymouth
• Annual events: Fair Play Zin Fest (late summer); El Dorado Passport Weekend (spring); Fair Play Harvest Wine Festival (fall)