Fair Play AVA
Why This Region Matters
Fair Play is El Dorado County's premier high-elevation appellation, one of the highest-average-elevation AVAs in the United States. Awarded federal AVA status in 2001 on a petition led by Brian Fitzpatrick, it encircles the old gold-mining hamlet of Fair Play in southern El Dorado County and sits entirely within both the larger El Dorado and Sierra Foothills AVAs. Its 25 to 30 small, family-owned wineries farm granitic hillsides between roughly 2,000 and 3,000 feet, where warm days and sharply cooler nights build the structure behind its Zinfandel, Syrah, Barbera, and Petite Sirah.
Climate & Terroir
Visiting Fair Play
Fair Play sits in southern El Dorado County, roughly an hour east of Sacramento and about the same from South Lake Tahoe. The tiny communities of Fair Play, Somerset, and Mount Aukum anchor the region, with tasting rooms clustered along Fair Play Road, Perry Creek Road, Mount Aukum Road, and Slug Gulch Road. Most wineries welcome walk-ins, though hours run leaner midweek; weekends are the safest bet, and several wineries offer lodging or cave tours worth booking ahead.
Wineries in Fair Play
See all 56 El Dorado County wineries →
El Dorado County Guides
Planning Your Fair Play Visit
More on El Dorado County
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fair Play known for?
Fair Play is El Dorado County's premier high-elevation appellation, one of the highest-average-elevation AVAs in the United States. Awarded federal AVA status in 2001 on a petition led by Brian Fitzpatrick, it encircles the old gold-mining hamlet of Fair Play in southern El Dorado County and sits entirely within both the larger El Dorado and Sierra Foothills AVAs. Its 25 to 30 small, family-owned wineries farm granitic hillsides between roughly 2,000 and 3,000 feet, where warm days and sharply cooler nights build the structure behind its Zinfandel, Syrah, Barbera, and Petite Sirah.
What is the climate and terroir of Fair Play like?
El Dorado's high elevation gives it cooler nights and a later harvest than the lower foothills, with significant diurnal swings that preserve bright acidity. Decomposed granite and volcanic soils drain sharply, stressing the vines into concentrated, expressive fruit.
What is it like to visit Fair Play?
Fair Play sits in southern El Dorado County, roughly an hour east of Sacramento and about the same from South Lake Tahoe. The tiny communities of Fair Play, Somerset, and Mount Aukum anchor the region, with tasting rooms clustered along Fair Play Road, Perry Creek Road, Mount Aukum Road, and Slug Gulch Road. Most wineries welcome walk-ins, though hours run leaner midweek; weekends are the safest bet, and several wineries offer lodging or cave tours worth booking ahead.