Lake County Wine

Lake County photos, charts, maps, and wines.

Prev Next

• Photos < 0 of 0 >
• Stats & Charts < 1 of 3 >
• Google Map

, just north of Napa, has been growing premium wines since the mid 19th century when people first recognized that the varied soils and microclimates of the region would produce wines of exceptional quality. In Lake County, grapes are grown read more...in four distinct appellations – Guenoc Valley, Red Hills, High Valley, and Clear Lake – each with its own distinctive soil type. These include the sandy loam, serpentine soils of Guenoc; the iron red volcanic soils of the Red Hills; the gray-weathered, cinder ash and silt blends of High Valley; and - at the base of dormant volcano Mount Konocti - the alluvial soils of the ‘big valley’ in the Clear Lake AVA. The common factor in Lake County’s diverse terroir is the moderating influence of Clear Lake, the largest natural lake in California, which gives the county its name. Warm days and plummeting nighttime temperatures let grapes ripen at optimum rates for moderate sugars with sufficient acidity. Protected by the low summer humidity of Lake County, botrytis-susceptible grapes adapt well in this environment.

Before prohibition in 1921, Lake County had 28 commercial wineries, making it the largest pre-prohibition grape-producing county in California, but the area was slow in recovering as vineyards had been torn out and replaced by pear and walnut orchards. From less than 100 acres in 1965, Lake County vineyard acreage has grown to over 8,800 today and is becoming one of the wine industries fastest growing regions. Sauvignon Blanc, one of the major wines to distinguish itself during the recovery, is now being supplanted by the new generations of big reds. Cabernet Sauvignon has by far the most acreage, with Merlot a distant second. However, despite being third in total revenue (according to the 2004 Lake County Winegrape Tonnage and Pricing report), Petite Sirah is considered amongst the best in its class.

~ information provided by Chris Ruttan, Canino Ridge Vineyards    (hide)

kbjaco reviewed Barrel 27 High Hog White 2007:

November 2009

kbjaco

This is a blend of Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne and is a pleasant enough.

Barrel 27 High Hog White 2007

Starting at $15^.99 Snoothrank: 3/5

View kbjaco's favorite wines   |    View all kbjaco's wines and reviews

rar8888 reviewed Rosenblum Zinfandel Snow Lake Vineyard Lake County 2005:

November 2009

rar8888

This is a wonderful zesty zin.

Rosenblum Zinfandel Snow Lake Vineyard Lake County 2005

Snoothrank: 3.5/5

View rar8888's favorite wines   |    View all rar8888's wines and reviews

apulliam wrote in the forum topic: Finger Lakes wine trip- Seneca Lake

November 2009

apulliam

Hello all, I am a Snooth newbie (as of yesterday) and I am so excited to be here. I am also very excited about my very first trip to the Finger Lakes wine region. Seneca Lake is our destination and in just two and a...

View apulliam's favorite wines   |    View all apulliam's wines and reviews

lajollamom reviewed Mason Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Pomelo 2008:

November 2009

lajollamom

Tastes like Pomelo! Good for daytime parties like bridal showers.

Mason Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Pomelo 2008

Starting at $14^.95 Snoothrank: 3/5

View lajollamom's favorite wines   |    View all lajollamom's wines and reviews

clevinger reviewed Guenoc Victorian Claret 2007:

November 2009

clevinger

i like this, so does jill.

Guenoc Victorian Claret 2007

Starting at $12^.98 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

View clevinger's favorite wines   |    View all clevinger's wines and reviews

smalllad reviewed Bonterra Vineyards Chardonnay 2007:

November 2009

smalllad

Well rounded and pleasant. Was popular with guests I had over to taste a few Mendocino Chardonnays.

Bonterra Vineyards Chardonnay 2007

Starting at $11^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

View smalllad's favorite wines   |    View all smalllad's wines and reviews

Iain reviewed Line 39 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006:

November 2009

Iain

Line 39 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Starting at $7^.91 Snoothrank: 3/5

View Iain's favorite wines   |    View all Iain's wines and reviews

Iain reviewed Line 39 Lake County Cabernet 2006:

November 2009

Iain

Line 39 Lake County Cabernet 2006

Starting at $10^.98 Snoothrank: 3/5

View Iain's favorite wines   |    View all Iain's wines and reviews

VegasOenophile reviewed Langtry Sauvignon Blanc 2006:

November 2009

VegasOenophile

- Tasted at Lee's Wine Experience 11/7/09

Langtry Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Starting at $20^.99 Snoothrank: 3/5

View VegasOenophile's favorite wines   |    View all VegasOenophile's wines and reviews

VegasOenophile reviewed Guenoc Cabernet Sauvignon 2006:

November 2009

VegasOenophile

I believe I tried the "Estate" Guenoc. not sure if this is the same, but it's all I found on Snooth. - Tasted at Lee's Wine Experience 11/7/09

Guenoc Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Starting at $11^.54 Snoothrank: 3/5

View VegasOenophile's favorite wines   |    View all VegasOenophile's wines and reviews

1 2 3 4 5  ...  19 next