Crystal Basin Cellars — Restaurant in Placerville

🍷 Crystal Basin: Where the Wine is Bold and the Vibes are Chill 🍷 Tucked away in the Sierra Foothills like a hidden gem with a cork in it, Crystal Basin Cellars is my go-to wine tasting room when I want great wine without the snobbery. My husband and I have been members of the wine club for years and do kazoo caroling with the kids with them every year! This place is and amazing low-key—no pretense, pours and plenty of personality. The owner? Hilarious. Think part-winemaker, part-stand-up-comedian. The staff? Super friendly and genuinely happy to talk wine, life, or the weather in Camino. You’ll feel like a regular even if it’s your first visit. Now let’s talk wine—because wow. Mostly reds (and they’re all fantastic), but they’ve got a few whites that hold their own. Some standouts: Pommie: A pomegranate champagne that’s basically a party in a bottle. Bubbly, fruity, and dangerously easy to love. I love them all! Just a few favorites: Dolce Bottino: A red with a name that cheekily translates to “sweet booty” . It’s rich, smooth, and just a little bit flirty—like the wine version of a wink. Château Mau Faux: ( read that slow and twice 😂) The ultimate “any night” red. Whether you’re Netflixing, grilling, or just unwinding, this one’s your new best friend. Crystal Basin isn’t just a tasting room—it’s a vibe. Come for the wine, stay for the laughs, and leave with a bottle (or three… or...

I had such a great time wine tasting here for my birthday! We used a Groupon that came with a free bottle, which was such a fun perk. Mike, the owner, led us through the tasting, and he was so kind and charismatic. As someone who doesn’t know much about wine, I actually learned a ton and even found a few wines I really liked, which surprised me!

We also got to tour the cellars, which made the whole experience even better. It was such a fun and unique way to celebrate my birthday with my boyfriend. Ginger was working her first day, but you would never have known it—she was so professional and friendly, just like Mike.

Overall, it was such a pleasant experience. Thank you for making my birthday special! I’d definitely recommend this...

This is a cozy winery. Feels kind of like a bar out of Cheers. The wines are good and they have a tastey variety of reds. Zinfandel is rich and yummy. They are not pretentious and talk about the nose and tannins. They just pour and let you decide. I like that.

The bistro is awesome. Dog and people friendly with a park like setting. Eat in, out, or bring a picnic. Gourmet food. Another tasting room awaits at the Bistro with more great wines to follow. Also, for the non wino, they offer an array of beers. Good thinking.

Lastly, need a gift. Crystal Basin has local art and wine oriented gifts. Make sure you make this as a stop on your wine tasting journey through El Dorado...