The focus on this week’s California Wine Appellation Specialist’s class is Lake County and the Sierra Foothills. I am taking the online version of the class through the San Francisco Wine School.

Kathy and I have been to Lake County twice to visit wineries and vineyards. Our first trip was in October of 2009 and our second visit was in May of 2012. Our first impression is that there is a growing interest in vineyards in the county especially on lands surrounding Clear Lake. Several growers commented that there was a lot of Lake County fruit in Napa wines from 2011. Many Napa Valley wineries source fruit from Lake County growers. The grapes ripen earlier in Lake County since there elevation keeps them clear of the morning fog that can cover vineyards in Napa Valley.

View at Snows Lake Vineyards in Lower Lake, California

Of the wineries we visited, several are memorable. We had an extended tour of the vineyards at Langtry Estate & Vineyards. We took photos of the Syrah that British actress Lillie Langtry planted in 1888. The views from the vineyards were magnificent. Another vineyard tour with magnificent views was at Snows Lake Vineyards. The vines cover 810 acres on gently sloping hillsides. While in the tasting building we tasted a couple of Snows Lake Vineyard wines that showcase what the vineyard can do. Several Napa wineries source fruit from them.

1888 Syrah planted by British actress Lillie Langtry at Langtry Estate & Vineyards in Middletown, California

Another beautiful site was at Vigilance Winery & Vineyards where we spent the evening in their guest house. The house is situated high on a hill overlooking vineyards that slope down towards Anderson Marsh and Clear Lake. For the outdoor enthusiasts there is a hiking trail from the Vigilance tasting room through the vineyards, across a road and through neighboring vineyards that ends at Gregory Graham Winery. Much of the electrical needs for the Gregory Graham Winery is supplied with the solar panels roof on the winery building.

Views of vineyards, Anderson Marsh and Clear Lake from the guesthouse at Vigilance Winery & Vineyards in Lower Lake

On the east side of Clear Lake is Brassfield Estate Winery, another vineyard with magnificent views of vines on slopping hillsides leading down to Clear Lake. Our informal wine tasting was on the outdoor patio. Several white and red wines were set on upturned oak barrels. This was a very laid back visit which is a reflection of most of our visits to wineries and vineyards in Lake County.

Cheers,
Terry