El Dorado County is known for its gold history, ever since James W. Marshall first discovered the precious metal at Sutter’s Mill in 1848.

Amador County is famous for maintaining America’s oldest documented Zinfandel vineyard, planted in 1869 at what is now the Scott Harvey Vineyard in Plymouth.

Calaveras County, meanwhile, is renowned for its Mokelumne Hill, a town that exploded with overnight wealth during the Gold Rush, and for Murphys, a town that welcomed 19th century luminaries such as Ulysses S. Grant, Mark Twain and Susan B. Anthony.

Today, that rich history still runs deep through all three counties, with authentic gold mines open for tours and a thriving wine business producing increasingly world-class boutique brands that still stay true to the beauty of their ancient vineyards.

Yet these days, there’s plenty of newer glamour in Gold Country, too, from elegant hotels, to chic restaurants to modern wineries boasting amenities ranging from bocce ball courts to concert amphitheaters.

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An emerging beer scene is rocking wine country, as well, led by stars such as the two-year-old Amador Brewing in Plymouth or Solid Ground Brewery, slated to open soon in Diamond Springs of El Dorado County.

Special events draw visitors from all over, converging on the quaint towns for annual events like Behind the Cellar Door winery open houses each spring, the Four Fires Wine and Food Festival held May 6 at the Amador County Fairgrounds in Plymouth and the Barbera Festival on Sept. 16 at Plymouth’s Terra d’Oro Winery with quaffs from nearly 80 California wineries, plus restaurant booths and live music.

When guests arrive, they check into new standouts such as Sutter Creek’s Hanford House Inn, which reopened in 2013 after a yearlong renovation that transformed the historic property into a sophisticated, rustic-elegant destination with art-gallery flair.

Originally built as a cottage in 1920, the now two-story red brick country manor impresses with amenities like complimentary wine receptions, in-room fireplaces, Jacuzzi jetted tubs, hot scones delivered to rooms each morning and complimentary breakfast at the inn’s groovy contemporary Elements café (go for the superb Monteverde Sopas of two golden masa cakes topped in chicken, braised black beans, queso fresco, tomatillo salsa, pickled red onion and sunny side-up eggs).

More and more, people are discovering Gold Country for one-of-a-kind destination wedding experiences, as well. Breathtakingly beautiful landscapes create stunning backdrops and venue choices offer unique experiences. From a posh, intimate gathering at an inn like the 16-room Hanford House, to a larger, rustic lodge fantasy at the 8-acre Davies Family Inn at ShadowRidge Ranch just east of Placerville, there are many stories waiting to unfold.

Rome Valley Vineyards owner BJ Rome has seen the upscale evolution up-close with her Garden Valley winery and event chateau.

“We hosted a celebrity wedding on a weekday a while ago with only family and close friends,” she said, describing it as an over-the-top Disney theme gathering. “The wedding was then repeated over the weekend at a very upscale hotel in San Francisco, complete with all the paparazzi. No one knows they were married here just days earlier — we have never released the pictures to the public. The local airport worked with the party, too, allowing big name guests to fly in and out incognito.”

Here are just a few Gold Country gems beckoning visitors to explore more:

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