Amador County's Farm-To-Table

Amador County is best known for its lush rolling hills and expansive vineyards, but a movement is growing at the gateway to California’s Shenandoah Valley: locally raised goods sourced straight from the farm to the table. 

Located in the heart of the Mother Lode in the foothills of Northern California, Amador County is home to more than 376 farms that cover 60% of its nearly 365,000 acres. While grapes like Zinfandel, Grenache, Sangiovese and Syrah make up a large portion of the region’s output, farmers are increasingly diversifying their fields to provide the freshest locally produced offerings to its breweries and eateries.

Amador Brewing Company co-founders Will Pritchard and Matt Johnson struck liquid gold in Plymouth, California, when they opened their doors in April 2015. The microbrewery is home to a 20-barrel system and brews several batches weekly with an emphasis on IPAs and traditional German-style beers. 

While popular favorites include Kit Carson Pale Ale, Night Porter and Dirty Blonde, the brewery has developed a reputation for hosting diverse food vendors to provide locally sourced fare to its thirsty patrons. Its food trucks are known to offer fresh sandwiches, traditional American cuisine, barbecue and more, all made with farm-to-fork ingredients.

On your way out, pick up a growler of one of the brewery’s fillable beers including Kolsch, MARTHA Belgian Blond, Milk Stout or Hazy Goat Hazy IPA, to take one of Amador’s liquid golds home with you. Eureka!

While in the area, enjoy locally sourced cuisine from one of Amador County’s acclaimed eateries. Located adjacent to the Hanford House Inn, Element Restaurant combines farm-to-table fare with a casual ambience for an experience like no other. Breakfast and brunch is available six days a week and features signature items like the Hanford House Benny with house-made citrus hollandaise sauce and soppressata while sipping on a handcrafted drink from the restaurant’s specialty coffee bar.

For lunch, stop by Rosebud’s Café & Market, a family-run establishment which features fresh, local seasonal food and drink. Signature lunch items include the Rosebud Burger, the Falafel Burger and the Portobello Sandwich – all made with farm-to-table ingredients including greens, onion, tomato and more. 

Acclaimed for its eclectic mix of traditional and shareable dishes, The Sutter Restaurant at Hotel Sutter offers a diverse dinner menu of farm-to-fork fare. Signature dishes include Pig, Fig & Goat, Fire Roasted Artichoke & Pesto Flatbread, the Sutter Garden Salad and the Sutter Spaghetti with Meatballs, among others.

And no visit to California’s Gold Country is complete without a trip to Harrah’s Northern California. Players can enjoy the state-the-art casino’s 950 slot machines and 20 tables games, all while earning Caesars Rewards member privileges and preferred access to Caesars’ resorts and amenities in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and around the world.For players who haven’t had their fill of Amador County’s freshest fare, stop by Louie Oliver’s Restaurant & Bar at Harrah’s Northern California, which offers a casual elegant environment and selections featuring a variety of local ingredients. Favorites include the Garlic Braised Lamb Shank and the Fall Vegetable Pesto Penne, which can be perfectly pared with an assortment of the restaurant’s regional wines.

The next time you visit Harrah’s Northern California, we hope you’ll check out Amador County’s treasure trove of farm-to-table offerings.