Zucca Mountain Vineyards is a family owned and operated winery that produces about 1000 cases of wine each year. They opened their tasting room in Murphys, California, in June of 2000. Wanting to stay small to make certain that their wines are of premium quality. They expect to stop growing when production reaches 5000 cases per year. All the grapes are hand sorted so that only the best grapes are used in ZMV wines.

Several years ago, the Zucca family selected the perfect site for their winery and vineyards. Located on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the water of the New Melones Reservoir, this site produces a unique micro-climate with cooling breezes from the lake that moderate the temperature and provide and excellent environment for Rhone and Italian varietal grapes. These vineyards produce grapes from a great combination of climates and soils to make superb wines using the Zucca's family touch. They have occasional events at their winery where customers can enjoy drinking ZMV wine and eating excellent food while enjoying superb views of the lake and rolling hills covered with grape vines.

ZMV has a unique tasting room in Murphys across from the historic Murphys Hotel. Their tasting room is in a grotto like cellar under a 150 year old building. You have to watch your head and step when you enter since the old steps are uneven and the door low. However, once inside, you are treated to a welcoming, homey atmosphere. The temperature in the cellar always stays at the perfect level for wines and humans (although it is a bit cool in the winter). They serve complimentary cheese and chocolate fondue along with bread, crackers and cookies (strawberries in the summer) that not only add to the atmosphere but enhance the flavors of the wine. The cellar may be a little hard to find, but it's seldom forgotten. The cellar is open for tasting Friday through Sunday, 12-5 PM, during winter months and seven days a week (12-5) during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. They are currently selling only out of their tasting room and online with free shipping in California. As they grow, they will consider larger distribution but last year they sold out of their wines in February. Thus, at this level of production, sales from the tasting room and online are sufficient.

Carol and Gary Zucca are both owners and winemakers. They had been making wines for themselves for a number of years and decided to become professional wine makers about 6 years ago (1996). Gary started out his career as a naval officer aboard destroyers and spent a year in Viet Nam during the war aboard gunboats as an advisor to the Vietnamese Navy. He retired from the Navy and finished PH.D. in sociology and organizational behavior. He has been teaching college ever since. In addition to teaching college, Gary makes wine, directs the winery operation and works with the Calaveras Wine Association. Carol has been teaching biology and chemistry for most of her career. She has a Master's degree and only lacks her dissertation for her PH.D. She also did plant ecological research in Puerto Rico and Florida for eight years and spent six years working as a medical technologist. Carol is no longer teaching but is working on the winemaking and in the tasting room. Both Gary and Carol view the wine business as a continual challenge. They feel there is always something to learn and enjoy.
One of Carol and Gary's main goals when starting the ZMV was to create an opportunity to bring the Zucca family together. Each member of the family contributes in different ways. Matt (their son) is an engineer, Michelle (Matt's wife) is a marketing expert. Tony (their son) is a molecular biologist, Darrell (Carol's brother) and his wife Kathy cater special events and design innovative equipment for the winery. They are a very talented group.

The ZMV winemaking philosophy is to develop wines in a contemporary Italian style. They specialize in Syrah, Sangiovese, and Barbera. Come and visit the tasting room when you have the opportunity to taste premium wines. But watch your head and step.