Favorites in Lake County

Lake County with Mt. Konocti in the Background

Lake County with Mt. Konocti in the Background

The Lake County wine region currently has over 35 wineries and surrounds Clear Lake, the largest natural lake in California. There are five distinct appellations here containing almost 9000 acres of vineyards. The largest, the Clear Lake AVA, also includes the subappellations Red Hills and High Valley. The Guenoc Valley AVA and Benmore Valley AVA are the other appellations located within county lines.

The primary varietals grown in Lake County are Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, but you will also find many others including Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel.

Favorite Tasting Rooms in Lake County

Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill – This company produces boutique wines and Extra Virgin Olive Oils from estate grown, certified organic grapes and olives (and they even make soaps now).  Owner Paul Manuel’s forefathers come from Chacewater, England and the interesting symbol for the winery is the mark of a Chacewater church builder.  Chacewater was named the “2012 Golden State Winery of the Year” at the California State Fair.  They make a lot of different wines here but our suggestions for what to try first are the Sauvignon Blancs, the Malbec and Petite Sirah from the Red Hills AVA, and the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon made with grapes from the Sierra Foothills.   5625 Gaddy Lane, Kelseyville  (707) 279-2995

Langtry Farms – Langtry Estate & Vineyards consists of 23,000 picturesque acres which straddle both Lake and Napa Counties.  Despite the vast size of the estate, Langtry’s vineyards are limited to 400 prime acres, which are used to grow grapes for a variety of wines made under two labels, Langtry and Guenoc.  Our favorite wines here are the Guenoc Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Sirah, and the Langtry Estate Petit Verdot and Tephra Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon.  21000 Butts Canyon Rd, Middletown  (707) 987-2385

Moore Family Winery – The tasting room in the Red Hills District is surrounded by pristine forestland and comes with 360 degree views of Cobb Mountain.  The property here can accommodate concerts for a crowd or just an informal picnic amongst friends or family members.   On the back label of the wines here you will find a constellation of stars, each star symbolizing a member of the family headed up by Steve and Robin Moore.  We tend to prefer the Sauvignon Blanc, Charbono, Malbec, and “Black Dog” Cabernet Sauvignon here.  11990 Bottle Rock Road, Kelseyville  (707) 279-9279

Shannon Family of Wines – Another winery owned by Clay and Margarita Shannon, this winery emphasizes its focus on sustainable farming.  The name is an homage to the ever-vigilant sheep dogs that guard over the lambs and vines.  Our recommendations here are the Sauvignon Blanc and Cimmaron (a red wine blend).  13888 Point Lakeview Road, Lower Lake  (707) 994-9656

Six Sigma Ranch – Kaj and Else Ahlmann purchased this historic ranch estate in 2000, and you’ll see a lot of its 4,300 acres as you slowly drive up the 2-mile road to the tasting room (located at the site of a former stagecoach stop).  The 40 acres of high-altitude vineyards here produce grapes used to make a variety of wines.  Our favorites here are the Asbill Valley Sauvignon Blanc, Christian’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, and the Tempranillo.  13372 Spruce Grove Road, Lower Lake  (707) 994-4068

Other Links

Lake County Winery Association – Association of wineries in the County.

Lake County Winegrowers – Organization focused on marketing the region to new and existing grape buyers and wineries, as well as assisting growers in a variety of activities.

 

(photo courtesy of Lake County Winegrape Commission, all rights reserved)


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