PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 41 Castellano, we retreat into the cave-like tasting room to sample Spanish varietals like tempranillo and verdejo as well as Abuelita, a blend of cabernet franc and syrah. The affordable tasting flights and easygoing vibe of Placer County’s wine region, which dates back to the mid-1800s, reminds me of Sonoma County 25 years ago. Next stop, Nevada City. The 16-acre downtown historic district looks like a movie set—and it once was. Hallmark’s The Christmas Card was filmed here during its annual Victorian Christmas fair. With so many shops selling housewares and western gear, the front window of Solstice stands out with its explosion of sequins, Day-Glo and feather boas. Once I learn there’s a sizable contingent of Burning Man enthusiasts in town, the eye-popping secondhand attire makes perfect sense. The thriving local art scene in this part of Gold Country is deeply rooted. The twin cities of Grass Valley and Nevada City comprise one of California’s 14 Cultural Districts, a well-earned honor. Along with art galleries, the small towns boast an outsized number of entertainment venues and a packed calendar of live music, theater and dance performances, including the two-day KMVR Celtic Festival held in Grass Valley each May. One great place to tap into this creative spirit is Wolf Craft School and Collective, where you can try your hand at making all kinds of things, from jewelry and ceramics to sandals and textiles. For art and cultural exhibits, visit the ‘Uba Seo Gallery. Run by the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe, it offers a thought-provoking counterpoint to the typical Gold Rush narrative of scrappy miners and wily entrepreneurs. Nevada City’s historic downtown is so compact that, PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: VISIT PLACER / HALEY WRIGHT ABOVE: (clockwise from top left) The pastry case at The Baker and the Cakemaker in Auburn; a pair of fairies pose at Grass Valley’s Celtic Festival; Three Forks Bakery and Brewing Company in Nevada City.
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