
Lake County Wine North Coast, California
Learn about Lake County wine, common tasting notes, where the region is and more ...
A warm inland area just north of Napa Valley, Lake County represents a new frontier for California winemaking. While Prohibition halted viticulture here just as it did in so many California regions, winemaking activity remained fairly insignificant for a few decades longer than others. Finally in the 1990s Lake County Sauvignon blanc—uniquely savory and fruity—earned the appellation a renewed reputation.
Lake County is comprised of a handful of unique American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).
Vineyards that settle into the hills on the west side of Clear Lake create the Clear Lake AVA and produce good quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon blanc and Zinfandel.
Recently the Red Hills AVA, located within the boundaries of the Clear Lake AVA, has become the focus of some of Napa’s more respected growers. Its notable volcanic and obsidian-based soils could be the source of California’s next best Cabernet Sauvignons. Andy Beckstoffer, a leader in recognizing prime Napa Valley vineyard locales, has already invested heavily in the area.
Guenoc Valley AVA produces fine examples of Petite Sirah, recognized for their voluptuous aromas of clove, cocoa, tobacco and deep red and blue berry flavors.
The High Valley AVA sits northeast of Clear Lake. This warm area boasts multiple soil types allowing growers a lot of flexibility and experimentation with grape varieties. While Sauvignon blanc is a mainstay, this zone excels with Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, as well as other less common varieties like Barbera and Tempranillo.
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High Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from High Valley, Lake County, North Coast, California
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Vigilance Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Hills, Lake County, North Coast, California
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Shannon Ridge High Elevation Petite Sirah 2018Petite Sirah from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Shannon Ridge Buck Shack Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Shannon Ridge High Elevation Zinfandel 2019Zinfandel from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Vigilance Sauvignon Blanc 2019Sauvignon Blanc from Red Hills, Lake County, North Coast, California
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Shannon Reserve Home Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Shannon Ridge Buck Shack Red 2018Bordeaux Red Blends from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Hills, Lake County, North Coast, California
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Playtime Blonde Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Vigilance Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Red Hills, Lake County, North Coast, California
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Vigilance Cimarron 2017Other Red Blends from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Shannon Ridge Wrangler Red 2017Other Red Blends from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Shannon Ridge High Elevation Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Shannon Reserve Two Bud Block Zinfandel 2016Zinfandel from High Valley, Lake County, North Coast, California
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Shannon Ridge Buck Shack Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Shannon Ridge Buck Shack White Tail Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Six Sigma Ranch Asbill Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2018Sauvignon Blanc from Lake County, North Coast, California
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Six Sigma Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2014Cabernet Sauvignon from Lake County, North Coast, California
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High Valley Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2019Sauvignon Blanc from High Valley, Lake County, North Coast, California