Situated at the epicenter of the Mother Lode, Amador County boomed during the California Gold Rush in the second half of the 1800's. Gold was mined and then spent in wildly profitable gambling houses, drinking establishments, and bawdy houses (oh, and then people bought lumber, food, and provisions if there was anything left over). The massive influx of people to the area brought many different cultures and traditions that are still apparent today. Italian immigrants, for instance, brought with them grapevines and established vineyards. While there is still said to be more gold left in the area than was ever taken out, mining has become an insignificant fraction of the area's industry, while grape growing and winemaking has become one of the leading contributors to Amador County's economy. Took us a century or so, but we finally got our priorities right around here.

www.amadorcountychamber.com