Amador County – The Foothill Conservancy announced last week that local winemaker Bill Easton is selling a zinfandel to support the group’s effort to enact a National Wild & Scenic designation for the Mokelumne River.

Terre Rouge and Easton Wines and the Foothill Conservancy in a joint release announced the “first Easton 2009 Wild and Scenic Mokelumne River Zinfandel,” which will be featured at a wine release party on Saturday, April 9, at the Shenandoah Valley winery on Dickson Road. Winemaker Bill Easton will be on hand to discuss the wine and sign bottles.

Foothill Conservancy Executive Director Chris Wright said: “All profits from the sale of the wine will support the Conservancy’s efforts to secure National Wild and Scenic River designation for the Mokelumne River.”

The 2009 Easton Wild and Scenic Zinfandel is made from organically farmed grapes cultivated in an estate vineyard patrolled by barn owls and bottled in Eco-glass bottles.

Wright said the project pairs “two of Amador County’s most famous cultural and historic features: fine zinfandel and the beautiful Mokelumne River,” and the organization was “very grateful to Bill and Jane for their generosity and support.”

Wright said the “Mokelumne River has been found eligible for National Wild and Scenic River designation from Salt Springs Dam to just above Pardee Reservoir.” He said “Wild and Scenic designation would stop the proposed expansion of Pardee Reservoir and save more than 37 miles of river for people, fish and wildlife.

The river divides the counties, whose supervisor boards are also divided over support for Wild & Scenic designation. The Amador County Board of Supervisors is unanimously opposed to Wild & Scenic, while the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors supported it on a 3-2 vote.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.