We are always proud to serve Yosemite Cellars wine in our on site Tavern, and to sell it by the bottle in our General Store. So it goes without saying that we are excited to announce our most recent offering involving our favorite local vineyard, a sunset wine tasting each Monday night, in April, right here at Rush Creek Lodge.
Sit back and enjoy as owners Ron and Cheryl Harm dive into the stories behind their wine, and take you on a flavorful journey sampling from a selection of their wine offerings. Talk about the perfect way to wrap up a day of adventuring in Yosemite, only a few steps from the comfort of your room!
Deep Roots in Our Community
Raised in the small town of Groveland, Ron Harm’s roots run deep in our area. Nearly 50 years after Ron’s parents bought a parcel of land surrounded by breathtaking views of the Sierras, Ron and his wife Cheryl returned to Groveland to make his parent’s dream of building a home on that parcel a reality. They took this dream one step further, adding a distinctive vineyard and family-owned winery to the mix.
Inspired by the surroundings and fittingly so, as Ron and Cheryl’s vision for their wines began to take shape and Yosemite Cellars came to be. With iconic sights of Yosemite captured on their labels, it only feels right to reach for a bottle of Yosemite Cellars, as you’re wrapping up a day of Yosemite adventures.
Yosemite Cellars: Sierra Inspired Wines
Passion and curiosity sparked the Harms start the journey to grow wine grapes and produce wine from this untested area of Sierra Foothills at 3000 feet of elevation eleven years ago. Inspired by the grandeur of Yosemite National Park and views of the rolling Sierra Foothills, Yosemite Cellars offers wines made exclusively from their estate vineyard and jammed packed with flavor. And lucky for us Yosemite Cellars is located just down the road from us in Groveland, California.
Situated on a sunny south facing slope, their vineyard is ideal growing conditions for grape varietals ranging from Syrah to Cabernet Franc, Grenache to Tannat. The Harms approach their winemaking with a ‘less is more’ philosophy, creating flavor profiles that are a true reflection of the fruit. Each wine is thoughtfully planned out around the fruit, ensuring each harvest has the least amount of fuss and intervention throughout the growing process.
Producing a wide variety of wines, Yosemite Cellars has a wine for every flavor pallet. Lively Tannats, balanced Syrahs and crisp Grenache Roses are among the wines offered by our favorite local vineyard, but their blends are the wines that really steal the show. Each year, Yosemite Cellars blends the best of their fruits into their Firefall Blend. Resulting in a unique taste that truly paints a picture of the Sierra Foothills the year that vintage was created.
And of course, it wouldn’t feel right without mention of Yosemite Cellar’s iconic Rim Fire Red Blend. Made from grapes that were layered in smoke from the 2013 Rim Fire, plus wine from the 2015 harvest to create a full bodied wine with a hint of smoke. This wine experience is a true snapshot into a monumental piece of our local Sierra Foothills history, and easily became a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
The Details
Yosemite Cellars owners, Ron and Cheryl Harm, will be joining us at Rush Creek Lodge every Monday in April for an onsite tasting at 6 pm.
Cost of $30 per adult 21 and older includes Souvenir Yosemite Cellars Wine Glass, Sampling of Yosemite Cellar’s Wine, Hors D’Oeuvres and a Good Time.
Attendance is limited. Sign up with the Recreation Department by calling them at 209-379-2373 x1521, emailing them at [email protected] or in person at the Recreation Desk.
(all photos courtesy of Yosemite Cellars)