About the Winery
Crystal Basin Cellars grew from Mike Owen’s family winemaking that began in 1980 into a commercial winery in 2000, later settling on Carson Road in Camino in 2006. The winery builds its program around El Dorado fruit sourced within 30 miles of the cellar, and its current lineup runs widely across reds, whites, bubbly, dessert wines, and reserve bottlings rather than locking into a single narrow lane.
In Camino, the tasting room is set inside an 80-year-old former agricultural building that now functions as a rustic cellar, with a newly enclosed patio area for quieter outdoor tasting. Guests can expect a relaxed but information-rich experience, with curated flights, optional barrel-room tasting, and a format that makes room for both first-time visitors and people who want to dig further into the wines.
For the latest events and availability, check the winery’s website.
For current releases and full wine details, visit the winery’s website.
Crystal Basin makes the most sense if you arrive expecting range. This is a local-fruit program that moves across many varieties, so the tasting is less about one signature grape and more about seeing how broadly El Dorado County can perform through a single producer’s lens.
A good approach here is to start broad and let the staff steer you toward what stands out most that day, especially if barrel tasting is available. If you are tasting with a group or want more context on vineyard sourcing and winemaking, Crystal Basin has built experiences that go beyond a quick bar pour.