Vineyard Tours at Bella Grace Vineyards, Plymouth CA
There are wine tastings. And then there are experiences that change the way you think about what is in your glass. Our Amador County vineyard tours at the Plymouth estate are the second kind.
Charlie Havill, farmer and co-owner of Bella Grace Vineyards, leads our small group Amador County vineyard tours through our estate vineyard in the heart of Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley. You will walk the rows, get your hands in it, ask anything you want, and taste the wines and olive oils that come from this exact ground. You go home with a vine cutting to grow yourself and the kind of story about a bottle of wine that most people never get to tell.
These tours take place at our Plymouth estate only. Pre-booking is required – $20 per person – complimentary for our club members (use coupon code TOUR)
Tours take place at our estate at 22715 Upton Road, Plymouth, CA 95669. Tours run approximately 60 to 75 minutes. Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. Space is limited so book early.
Why Book Our Amador County Vineyard Tours
Our Amador County vineyard tours give you something a tasting room pour cannot — the full story of what you are drinking and why it tastes the way it does. When you walk the rows with the person who grew the grapes, every decision that shaped that wine becomes visible and tangible.
Amador County in California’s Sierra Foothills is one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the state. The volcanic soils, warm days, and cool evenings create conditions ideal for producing expressive, food-friendly wines with depth of character that wine lovers travel from across California and beyond to experience. But most visitors only ever encounter Amador County wine through a tasting room glass. A vineyard tour puts you inside the process.
You understand what you are tasting. Knowing that the Zinfandel vines are dry-farmed, that the cover crop between the rows will be composted back into the soil, that the birdhouse on that post houses a kestrel that keeps the vineyard’s pest population in check naturally, changes how the wine tastes. Context transforms a good glass into a meaningful one.
You meet the person who made it. Most wine is made by people you will never meet. Bella Grace is different. Charlie Havill farms every acre of this estate and has for years. When he hands you a vine clipping and explains how to root it, you are taking a piece of the actual vineyard home. That connection is rare.
You learn something that stays with you. Guests consistently say our Amador County vineyard tours change how they think about wine for years afterward, for the better. The vocabulary, the farming philosophy, the understanding of why regenerative agriculture produces better wine and healthier land — all of that travels home with you long after the taste has faded.
You get hands-on experience. Pruning a vine yourself, even once, gives you a physical understanding of viticulture that no book or podcast can replicate. Charlie will show you what he looks for and let you make a cut. It is one of the most memorable parts of the tour for almost every guest.
What Happens on Our Amador County Vineyard Tours
Charlie leads all of our Amador County vineyard tours himself. No scripts, no rushing, no crowds. Just a working farmer who has spent years learning this land and genuinely loves talking about it.
Pruning demonstration
Pruning is one of the most important decisions a farmer makes all year. Charlie will show you what he looks for in each vine, how he makes his cuts, and why the choices made in winter shape the wine you drink the following fall. You will try it yourself.
Regenerative and organic farming
Bella Grace received its official organic certification in 2025, but the farming philosophy runs much deeper than a certification. Charlie explains what regenerative farming actually means in practice. Cover crops feeding the soil with nutrients every winter. Hazardous herbicides and pesticides eliminated entirely in favor of mechanical weed control and natural pest management. Bird houses positioned throughout the vineyard creating habitat for insect-eating birds and rodent-hunting owls, hawks, and falcons. Dry farm irrigation where practical to reduce ground water use. Composted vine cuttings returned as mulch to the soil they came from.
These are not talking points. They are the specific choices Charlie and Michael make every season because they believe they produce better wine and healthier land for the generations that come after them. You can explore the specific varietals we grow on our estate vineyard page.
Wine and olive oil tasting
After the tour you will taste a selection of Bella Grace’s award-winning wines alongside our estate olive oils. Tasting what you just learned about in the vineyard is a different experience than a tasting room pour. The wines make more sense. The conversation goes further.
Your vine cutting to take home
Every guest leaves with a clipping from our estate vines, a piece of the vineyard to grow at home or share with someone who would appreciate it. Charlie will tell you how to care for it.
In Charlie’s Own Words
“While the term regenerative is relatively new, the principles behind the concept reflect practices that some farmers and Native American Tribes have embraced for generations. Regenerative is a holistic philosophy focused on actively healing and enhancing the entire farm ecosystem. To me, the farming practices make so much sense.”
Charlie Havill, Farmer and Co-Owner, Bella Grace Vineyards
Charlie and Michael started Bella Grace because they believed the land in Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley was capable of producing something exceptional. Wines and olive oils that reflected a place cared for with real intention. That philosophy is what these tours are built around, and it is what you will walk away understanding in a way you cannot get from reading a label.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amador County Vineyard Tours at Bella Grace
Do I need to be a wine drinker to enjoy the tour?
Not at all. The farming and sustainability conversation on our Amador County vineyard tours is genuinely interesting regardless of whether you drink wine. The olive oil tasting is a favorite for many guests who come primarily for the agricultural experience.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes. Children under 21 are welcome on the tour portion. Wine tasting is for guests 21 and over only. The vine cutting and farming conversation tend to be a big hit with curious kids.
What should I wear?
Comfortable closed-toe shoes and clothes you do not mind getting a little dusty. The vineyard is working farmland. Weather in Amador County can be warm so bring sunscreen and a hat for afternoon tours.
How do I care for my vine cutting?
Charlie will walk you through it on the day. Vine cuttings root readily if kept moist and planted in a pot or directly in well-drained soil. Many guests plant theirs at home and share the story of where it came from for years afterward.
Can I visit the wine cave on the same day?
Absolutely, and you do not even need a separate reservation! Our Amador County vineyard tours already include a tasting experience in both the estate vineyard and our hillside wine cave. It is the complete Bella Grace estate experience wrapped into one booking.
About Bella Grace Vineyards, Plymouth, CA
Bella Grace Vineyards is a family-owned winery and estate vineyard in Amador County’s Shenandoah Valley. Named after the grandmothers of Charlie and Michael Havill, the winery produces estate Zinfandel, Barbera, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Vermentino, Grenache Blanc, Albarino, Mourvèdre, and estate artisan olive oils. These Amador County vineyard tours take place exclusively at our Plymouth estate.
Bella Grace Vineyards & Wine Cave
22715 Upton Road, Plymouth, CA 95669
(209) 267-8053
info@bellagracevineyards.com