Camino D'Oro Winery
Sonoma County region
Artisan winemaker and viticulturist Tom Meadowcroft crafts wines of explosive strength and diverse character
Camino D’Oro was founded in 2015 by Tom Medowcroft and produced a first release of around 5,000 cases. Its name (which means Golden Road) points to the fact that the ‘Golden Road’ that is California, leads to all kinds of good wines. The wines of Camino D’Oro are made in the true California style - more flowery aspects, higher tannins, and wines that are bigger and bolder. The wines are more forward on the palate and display a certain ‘California’ exuberance.
The attractive Camino D’Oro label is the handiwork of Chris Perry, an ex-marine who is the Director of Operations for Camino D’Oro Winery. The label is symbolic of the great California Gold Rush that brought fame and glory to many near the middle of the 19th Century. More of these dynamic wines will be offered in the future as Camino D’Oro continues to grow and prosper. We are more than happy to introduce this boutique winery to our Gold Wine Club members.
Petar Kirilov - Winemaker
Petar Kirilov is one of a small number of Bulgarian winemakers who operate in California’s wine industry. Kirilov holds a master’s degree in winemaking (in 2002) from that country’s premier vinification school, the University of Food Technologies, located in the City of Plovdir. He apprenticed at the venerable Truchard Vineyards (Napa Valley) and worked for the high-tech wine company Vinovation, Inc., where he was involved in a number of research and development projects.
In addition to his duties as Winemaker for Camino D’Oro, Petar Kirilov owns another Napa Valley entity, Kukeri Wines, a tiny producer of high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. Kirilov is proud of his Bulgarian heritage and of the fact that his family had made wine for a number of years using primitive equipment and that he learned to make wine at a very young age.
California
The grapes for both of this month’s Gold Wine Club selections (Camino D'Oro and Thomas Henry Wines) are sourced from almost all of Northern California’s grapes regions, as well as the Central Valley’s Lodi AVA. This is done to give each featured winery a greater opportunity to create a specific wine, by utilizing grapes with different fundamental characteristics.
Grapes from as far north as Mendocino County and its cool growing climate, along with classic grapes from both Sonoma County and Napa Valley are included in the wines. Since the terroir in each of these growing areas is different and the microclimates that affect the grapes’ development are very diverse, so are the end products that emanate from these incredible growing regions.
The key to most of the areas is rainfall, something practically non-existent during the growing season in Northern California. Almost all vines in the area (and throughout all of California) are on drip lines and the water each plant receives is carefully regulated. Many of the growers have also turned to sustainable farming, the process that allows the vines to maintain their productivity and usefulness to society indefinitely. These methods are resource-conserving, environmentally sound, and commercially competitive and must be socially supported. This form of growing is a win-win for both farmers and consumers and many wineries have already tied their wagons to the practice of sustainable farming, including the two wineries in this month’s Gold Wine Club selection.
Owner/Winemaker Tom Meadowcroft of Thomas Henry Wines and Owner of Camino D’Oro has been a vocal leader and supporter of the movement for many years. “It just makes sense to grow our grapes in this manner,” he was recently quoted saying. “The grapes are healthier and the vines seem to relish the conditions. I keep close watch on all of my growers to insure these practices are followed as much as possible.”
Better farming practices means better wines in the bottle, an easy comment for everyone to absorb.
