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Lake County Wine

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Lake County is an emerging wine region within California’s North Coast, north of Napa. Clear Lake, the state’s largest inland body of water, surrounds the county and regulates the local climate. Most of the vineyards are located to the cooler south of the region. 
 
Like most of this part of California, wine-making began in the 1800s, beginning with missionaries who made ceremonial wines, continuing its progress as California was liberated from Mexico and the settlers and entrepreneurs arrived. Wines of high repute were being produced here. But also as with most nearby regions, many of the vineyards were abandoned for other agriculture due to the Phylloxera and Prohibition double-whammy between the turn of the 20th century and the 1930s. 
 
It wasn’t until the 1960s that a few perceptive vintners saw the area’s potential and began replanting vineyards. From there, the industry has expanded significantly, with an excellent reputation for quality wine Read more »

Top Zinfandel Values

I make no secret of my love for Zinfandel. It’s California’s greatest red wine, with Petite Sirah making it a competitive race. Yes, that goes against the Cabernet orthodoxy, but I find too much Cabernet tastes alike, and not compellingly like Cabernet...

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California Zinfandel: A Lesson in Vintage and Regional Success

Zinfandel, it’s no secret that I have carried on a long and intimate relationship with you. There is so much you offer. Sometimes you're a bit rough and tumble, edgy, even dangerous, while other times you’re coy, or playful, but your always there for m...

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8 Elegant Zinfandels

After last week’s look at value-oriented Zinfandel, I was pretty excited to jump into and taste some higher end wines. I love Zinfandel’s many iterations. From the Claret styles of yore to the fruit bombs that have made bold headlines and big points ov...

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Top 15 California Bordeaux Blend Wines Under $125

France may have established that the grapes of Bordeaux go very well together, but that essential blend can now be found in excellent wines worldwide, from South Africa to Washington State. California does particularly well with the black grapes of Bo...

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Enkidu Petite Sirah Red Hills Lake County Diener Ranch (2003)

Winery: Enkidu Wine
Region: USA » California » Lake » Red Hills Lake County
Varietal: Petite Sirah
Type: Table Wines
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Philip

White pepper on the nose, still a deep, dark, rich wine. Well balanced, but i bet it was hot in its youth, but a big wine overall. Rich, deep stewed fruits: plums, cherries. Nice minerality as well, and I'm pleased to see it break through the fruit. Pe...

Deloach Vineyards Lake County Nova Vineyard Zinfandel (2008)

Winery: DeLoach Vineyards
Region: USA » California » Lake County
Varietal: Zinfandel
Type: Table Wines
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Pyrifera

Nice ripe raspberry, light pepper, and pleasant acidity.

The Seventy Five Wine Company Red Blend Red Hills Lake County the Sum (2008)

Winery: 75 Wine Co.
Region: USA » California » Lake » Red Hills Lake County
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon , Petite Sirah , Syrah
Type: Table Wines
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deconut

This wine is a wonderful blend - if you like The Prisoner (Orin Swift), this is a bit less in price and almost as good.....Wonderful full bodied nose. Fruits, jam, spice and perfectly blended. Same with the flavors - very smooth finish - no disappointm...

Dalliance Lake County (2010)

Winery: Dalliance
Region: USA » California » Lake County
Varietal: Barbera , Cabernet Sauvignon , Zinfandel , Syrah , Tempranillo
Type: Table Wines
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bobcatpunk

Sweet red fruit upfront, mellow, low tannins, some smoke and pepper

Guenoc Petite Sirah Lake County (2008)

Winery: Guenoc
Region: USA » California » Lake County » Guenoc Valley
Varietal: Petite Sirah
Type: Table Wines
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Downingj

Nice...

Line 39 Cabernet Sauvignon Lake County (2006)

Winery: Line 39
Region: USA » California » Lake » Red Hills Lake County
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Table Wines
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Gantt Hickman

Had the opportunity to enjoy this wine with my wife before dinner with my mom and aunts. The nose had a bit of cherry on it then moved to darker fruits in the mouth. Blackberry maybe. The body was surprisingly lite for a cab which was what I was loo...

Cakebread Cellars Zinfandel Red Hills Lake County Snows Lake Vineyard (2005)

Winery: Cakebread Cellars
Region: USA » California » Lake » Red Hills Lake County
Varietal: Zinfandel
Type: Table Wines
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Philip

Just opened and could do with some time to open fully, but very rich fruity nose. Solid fruit and minerality throughout. Nice

The Seventy Five Wine Company Red Blend Red Hills Lake County the Sum (2008)

Winery: 75 Wine Co.
Region: USA » California » Lake » Red Hills Lake County
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon , Petite Sirah , Syrah
Type: Table Wines
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deconut

Chilled and let sit for a while - very strong nose - lots of pepper and black cherry - this is a wonderful blend - no disappointments here - lovely after 1.5 hours - a little more age and this wine will be sensational. For a 2008 it is incredible.

Candela Syrah Lake County Castelero Vineyard (2007)

Winery: Candela
Region: USA » California » Lake County
Varietal: Syrah
Type: Table Wines
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cgplayer9

Was this ever a slow opener! It didn't really start coming alive until over 4 hours in the decanter. Tannins firm and very tight at first, like chewing on a tea bag. After opening up, each sip was a blast of flavor, none really predominate - just a sol...

Wildhurst Merlot Lake County Limited Edition Plunkett Creek Series (2004)

Winery: Wildhurst Vineyards
Region: USA » California » Lake
Varietal: Merlot
Type: Table Wines
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Drunk as a Skunk

Very tasty grapes in this one. Smooth.

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Brassfield Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc High Valley High Serenity Ranch
Winery: Brassfield Estate Vineyard
Region: USA » California » Lake County » High Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Green Chile-Chicken Enchiladas

New Mexicans prefer these over the beef enchiladas associated with other Southwest cuisines. Prepare the sauce and the chicken mixture up to two days ahead, and refrigerate separately until ready t... Read more »

Two Angels Sauvignon Blanc High Valley
Winery: Two Angels
Region: USA » California » Lake County » High Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Endive Spears with Spicy Goat Cheese

Snack of the Month. You can make the cheese mixture up to a day ahead. It also makes a great sandwich or bagel spread or a thick dip for crudités. Read more »

Mason Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Lake County Pomelo
Winery: Mason Cellars
Region: USA » California » Lake County
Type: Table Wines

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Black Bean and Corn Chicken Chili

Toasting chili powder, cumin and garlic powder intensifies their flavor, making this chili a rich, hearty meal in a bowl. Read more »

Two Angels Sauvignon Blanc High Valley
Winery: Two Angels
Region: USA » California » Lake County » High Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Goat Cheese and Fresh Herb Omelet

Pressed for time in the morning? The easy, no-cook cheese-and-herb mixture in this omelet should be your go-to filling. The creamy, tangy goat cheese plays nicely with just about any fresh herb. Fo... Read more »

Cartlidge & Browne Sauvignon Blanc Lake County
Winery: Cartlidge & Browne Winery
Region: USA » California » Lake County
Type: Table Wines

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Pumpkin Pie–Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

All the flavor and spice of pumpkin pie coats these roasted seeds for a healthier take on the classic dessert. What to buy: We used raw pumpkin seeds (a.k.a. pepitas) for this recipe. You can al... Read more »

Ceago Vinegarden Sauvignon Blanc Kathleen's Vineyard Usa California Mendocino County Sauvignon Blanc
Winery: Ceago Estate Wines
Region: USA » California » Lake County » Clear Lake
Type: Table Wines

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Salmon Cakes with Lemon Rice

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Shannon Ridge Sauvignon Blanc
Winery: Shannon Ridge
Region: USA » California » Lake County » High Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Hot Crab Dip

Call it deconstructed crab cakes if you will, but the addition of cornbread makes it much more than that. What to buy: Creole mustard has a great heat and works well in this recipe. Substitute D... Read more »

Line 39 Sauvignon Blanc Red Hills Lake County
Winery: Line 39
Region: USA » California » Lake » Red Hills Lake County
Type: Table Wines

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Bread-and-Butter Radishes

Pickling radishes mellows their flavor so they’re not as peppery as normal yet still have a great crisp texture, plus a sweet-and-sour edge. Anything that you would normally put radishes on—a simpl... Read more »

Fortress Sauvignon Blanc Red Hills Lake County
Winery: Fortress Vineyards
Region: USA » California » Lake » Red Hills Lake County
Type: Table Wines

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Best Ever Party Appetizer

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Wildhurst Sauvignon Blanc Lake County
Winery: Wildhurst Vineyards
Region: USA » California » Lake County » Clear Lake
Type: Table Wines

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Cajun Maple Mahi-Mahi

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89065Gregory Dal Piaz

Old Zinfandel Tasted April 2013

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92549Eric Guido

The Rhone Rangers

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870341Amanda Schuster

Sean Thackrey Flight

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854949Kristin Watts

Top Cabernet Sauvignon Wines

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Popular wines made in Lake County under $20

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Varietals Produced in Lake County View all

  • Sauvignon Blanc

    Sauvignon Blanc is widely grown in California -- at over 15,000 acres, it’s now the third most planted variety -- and...

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    “King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...

  • Merlot

    The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...

  • Syrah

    The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...

  • Zinfandel

    Parentage of the grape: Crljenak to Austria to America. In the 1970s, claims surfaced that the Italian Primitivo is l...

Subregions of Lake County

Popular Wineries in Lake County View all

  • Brassfield Estate Vineyard

    At Brassfield Estate, we believe wine is truly an expression of the grapes and where they are gro...

  • Guenoc

    Langtry Estate & Vineyards, located on the border of Lake and Napa counties, was established in 1...

  • Shannon Ridge

    We both grew up in California's wine country: Clay in the Healdsburg area in Sonoma County, and M...

  • Langtry Estate & Vineyards

    Langtry Estate & Vineyards, located on the border of Lake and Napa counties, was established i...

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