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    Rucksack Cellars

    4.2 (25 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 5:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Tasting room
    Donna B.

    Right in the heart of the busy road to the orchards. We always hit the Apple Hill area the last weekend of October, and so does most of northern Nevada- it's Nevada Day. This road can be slow almost bumper to bumper traffic. Rucksack is an easy turn right into the large parking lot. They have a small tasting room but a very large two tiered outdoor seating area. There were even a pile of toys that kids could play with nearby. The beautiful day it was, we chose outside. We ordered our flights and they were presented on board. We were instructed to start at the left and work our way right. No other instructions and not much background on the wines were trying. And no info on the winery itself. I get with the Nevada Day they may have been busy, but not while we were there. We were left a little flat. This group really enjoys their wine experiences and education. Not full filled here. None of the sips excited anyone. I believe we left without any purchases. Rare.

    You scan the QR code and can watch videos made by the owner/wine maker to learn more about the wines you're drinking
    Alejandra D.

    My husband and I stopped here after our visit at Boa Vista. It's literally a 1 minute drive, so stop here! We showed up like 40 minutes before closing and was so happy they still took us. We didn't have a reservation. It was a Friday afternoon and there was only one other group there, which I loved b/c the less people there are, the better for me. Anyways, the gal who greeted us was friendly and welcoming. I didn't get her name but I remember she said she was a long-time employee :) I asked her if it's usually that calm (b/c I Loved it) and she said it gets pretty packed on the weekends. makes sense. Their wine tasting includes 5 wines: 1 white, 4 reds and for $10! What a deal! I mean, you cannot beat that price. Their wine bottles are also very reasonably priced. The owner/wine maker made short videos you can watch that describe each of the wines you're tasting. just scan the QR code. For my taste, I'm personally more into white wines. I wish their tasting offered more than just 1 white. Perhaps if they offered a red flight, a white flight, and a red/white flight, this would be the perfect winery spot for me. If you love reds, this is your place! I still plan to return though b/c I loved the vibe here. It's outdoorsy w/picnic tables. Lovely views of the vineyards and the service was excellent. My husband mentioned to the gal that I like sweet wines and she brought us a 6th pouring of their moscato. This was my FAVORITE. It was chill and sweet. Upon leaving, she gave us another pouring to share, 2017 Mountain Nectar. It wasn't as sweet as the moscato but it'd be my next favorite. They also offer a picnic basket which I would love to try out on our next visit.

    Melissa H.

    You know that little spot next to Boa Vista that always has a "wine tasting" flag flying? The one you drive past every time to get to some of the more popular wineries, or forget about it after snagging too many apple donuts and cider? That place is Rucksack, and it's a hidden gem that you're totally missing out on! Even though it's located right on Carson St (the main Apple Hill road), as soon as you sit down at one of their benches, you forget all that. It's like a surprising little oasis in the most unexpected spot. The trees block the sound of traffic; the views are of vines and rolling hills; and the wine takes you somewhere else entirely! Though this is an offshoot of Madrona Vineyards right up the street, the wines are totally different and perfectly suited for our taste buds. The Barbera Rose - when available - is our absolutely favorite and we can't get enough of it! They also offer tasty little snack baskets if you're feeling peckish. Above all else, the service is always amazing - Nicole is friendly, informative, charming... just a wonderful human, and we are lucky enough to see her every time we visit! Overall, Rucksack is a humble (and family-friendly!) alternative to some of the other tasting rooms in the area. We will come back every time we are in the area!

    Cheese basket and wine tasting

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    9 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    Maggie B.

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    10 months ago

    Had a wonderful rainy afternoon, having a flight here and talking to Douglas and the owner. Great place - we will be back.

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    6 months ago

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    4 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    Kathleen L.

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    7 years ago

    I love this place! Friendly down to earth owners great wine good dog!! I can't wait to go back!

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    9 years ago

    Gorgeous views and the rustic setting pair perfectly with these wines. The Barbara and Barbara Rose are a must for patio parties ...

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    Kathleen L.

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    7 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Rucksack Cellars

    Is this place dog friendly?

    When we went they had tastings set up outside. We had our pup with us.

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    Review Highlights - Rucksack Cellars

    Great service from Douglas and Tammy, and the winemaker/owners Maggie and Paul were so hospitable.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Starfield Vineyards & Winery - Winery front

    Starfield Vineyards & Winery

    4.1(219 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    The major feature of Starfield Vineyards is obviously their vineyards and gardens, but this…read morememorial weekend, their pizzas were a highlight!! My personal favorite was the Artichoke Florentine because the mint pesto is so refreshing for the summer. I also appreciate the low alcohol options, as it allows me to join in the fun despite my alcohol sensitivity. The vineyards and gardens are spectacular as usual; I highly recommend the main lake trail/loop for the shade it offers during the hot summer. The turtle pond is secluded and pleasant, but it's further and lacks shade, so I recommend bringing a parasol.

    I took my husband out on the town for his birthday, and Starfield was one of our first stops--what…read morea fabulous choice. The ambiance, the guided experience, and the overall vibe were exactly what I had hoped for. Our waitress was exceptional--knowledgeable, incredibly friendly, and she made us feel right at home. We truly couldn't have started his birthday any better. As for the food, I was a bit bummed that there wasn't a lunch or more robust meal offering. It slightly diminished the overall poshness of the experience, as we would have loved something beyond charcuterie while enjoying the wine. That said, we still had a wonderful time--and even became members--so that says a lot. I do hope they expand their food options in the future. If you're looking for a great atmosphere and delicious wine, I would absolutely recommend checking them out.

    Photos
    Starfield Vineyards & Winery - Lake Pavillion views.

    Lake Pavillion views.

    Starfield Vineyards & Winery - Table ambience

    Table ambience

    Starfield Vineyards & Winery - Snacks

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    Snacks

    Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery - Daily Pizza Menu

    Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery

    4.6(92 reviews)
    4.4 mi
    $$

    This is not only a wonderful, beautiful place to visit, the staff is the very best. I never want…read moreto leave once I'm there. We have been treated like royalty. They have gone out of their way to take care of us when we visit. Kristine is a super star. The tasting room staff, especially Kristine, go above and beyond to make sure our tasting experience is great. We have taken friends and family there to introduce them to this delightful place. Oh, yes, the wine is the best. We enjoy whites but from time to time I have tasted some of the finest red there are right in their tasting room. I totally recommend Sierra Vista as one to add to your list. PS. Thank you all for the wonderful service and friendship you have shown us.

    Our brunch this morning, was top notch! This is how a Sunday brunch at a beautiful winery should…read morebe!! Excellent ambiance, fantastic setting in a lovely air conditioned event center. We sat down & instantly had 2 mimosas in front of us, plus ice waters. 6 choices on the menu, hard to choose! We wanted to have 2 different, so we could try each other's. My husband ordered Chillaquilles & I chose the Breakfast BLT. We were presented a lovely chilled bowl of fresh fruit to share. Then came a warm plate of mini tarts, one raspberry, 1 lemon. Delicious! When our entrees arrived, they were photo worthy!! Mine was on in-house baked French bread, thick cut, smoked in house bacon, 2 perfectly cooked over easy eggs, an orange heirloom tomato from their garden, romaine lettuce & a perfectly soft avocado!! Absolutely perfect!! There was a side of mini cubbed red potatoed, that I didn't do justice to but I will have them tomorrow with my leftovers!! This is how a perfect brunch should be!!! Service was just as excellent as the food & the beautiful view of the vineyards & the Sierras could not have been better!! We will be back!!!!

    Photos
    Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery - Sunday Brunch
Sourdough Pancakes

    Sunday Brunch Sourdough Pancakes

    Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery - Sunday Brunch
Brick and Barrel French Toast

    Sunday Brunch Brick and Barrel French Toast

    Sierra Vista Vineyards & Winery

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    Smokey Ridge Ranch - Wine flights were very reasonable at $10!

    Smokey Ridge Ranch

    4.4(18 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    Cute quiet area! Our coworker decided this would be a fun place for our team building. It was…read moreperfect, we were able to handout at the benches talk, play a few games and just enjoy the outdoors with fresh smells of apples and some peaches! The owner was so attentive yet provided space for us to just enjoy! They have apply picking and provide the tools and buckets to pick your own! They have Mandy varieties of apples and even have jams on hand.

    Even though it is technically the fall season, the summertime weather is the perfect excuse for…read moremeeting up with friends before the cold weather arrives. Therefore, we were excited when one of our favorite couples to hang out with invited us to Smokey Ridge Ranch for wine tasting. Upon arriving, we were greeted by a friendly employee who urgently ran behind the bar to attend to us. Since we were pending the arrival of our friends, we decided to get the party started with two glasses of tempranillo (the employee kindly allowed for us to sample it before purchasing it). While we awaited the arrival of our friends, my wife and I found a picnic table in the shade. Once our friends arrived they ordered a wine tasting flight to share. As we put the finishing touches on our tempranillo, an employee came by to see if we were ready for another round. Since it was a 100 degree day, we figured that it would be wise to order something cold and refreshing. Although we have never been fans of rosé, it just felt like the appropriate thing to order. We enjoyed our time at Smokey Ridge Ranch, next time we will bring a charcuterie board to enjoy with their large pours of wine!

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    Smokey Ridge Ranch
    Smokey Ridge Ranch
    Smokey Ridge Ranch

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    Cappelli Wine - Wine tasting includes tastes of six wines

    Cappelli Wine

    4.7(30 reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $

    We had a great experience! I forgot the gal's name who helped us but she did a great job presenting…read morethe wines, offered us a few visits to wines, and even waived one of the tasting fees which are only $12 a person and wines prices between $16-$18 a bottle.....absolute steal for how good the wines are. We left with a rose, a red blend, and Alicante Bouschet. Great little spot right on the strip and inviting Italian decor....we will be back with my empty bottles which we will get $2 back per bottle or that towards a refill using tbe bottles.....it's a win win!

    I visited Cappelli Wine Tasting Room in December 2025, and it completely exceeded my expectations…read more Marco Cappelli's wines are simply incredible--you can taste the care and craftsmanship in every sip. Add a glass of their Syrah or Pinot, and it doesn't get much better than that. You can tell Marco Cappelli is a master of his craft. They're sustainable, high-quality, well-made wines and unlike anything I've had before. I was there on the weekend and treated myself to their pizza, which was amazing! Perfectly cooked and paired beautifully with the wine. I also tried their charcuterie platter, which was the perfect complement to the tasting. I loved how thoughtful their wine club is, too--it's a refillable bottle system, which makes it eco-friendly and super convenient. This spot is an absolute hidden gem, and I'd recommend it to anyone visiting Placerville.

    Photos
    Cappelli Wine - Angelica - aged for 9 years in barell.

    Angelica - aged for 9 years in barell.

    Cappelli Wine - Sparkling Pinot Grigio, add a hibiscus flower and make it a mimosa!

    Sparkling Pinot Grigio, add a hibiscus flower and make it a mimosa!

    Cappelli Wine - Wine flight for $10, enough to share for 2!

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    Wine flight for $10, enough to share for 2!

    Rucksack Cellars - winetastingroom - Updated August 2026

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