LAKE COUNTY has been growing winegrapes since the mid 19th Century, when early settlers           recognized that the climates and soils of the region would produce fruit and wines of excellent quality. Expansive vineyards were already established near the shores of Clear Lake when Napa and Sonoma counties were just initiating their wine industries.

     David Voight was the first pioneer to develop a commercial winery in Lake County in the early 1880s, on land east of Morgan Valley Road in Lower Lake. Other winemakers bought land adjacent to the Voight vineyards, including Stephen Nicolai, a local stonemason whose jailhouse in Lower Lake is still standing. In 1884, Nicolai planted 10 acres and built a stone winery for himself. By 1884 Lake County could claim 600 acres of grapes. The largest vineyard in the Lower Lake area was started by an Englishman named George Wrey. In 1883 he bought 5,000 acres of land two miles south of Lower Lake on the road to Middletown. He planted hundreds of acres of vines and convinced Stephen Nicolai to build yet another stone winery with a storage capacity of 20,000 gallons. Wrey eventually abandoned his bottling plan and wound up selling his wine in bulk to the Greystone Winery in St. Helena.

     One of the most famous vintages from Lake County was developed during the 1890's by Charles M. Hammond, a young Harvard graduate. Hammond acquired a 600-acre estate in Upper Lake and set out to produce Cabernet Sauvignon and Semillon. In 1893, his white and red wines won the best exhibit award at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

     By 1920 Lake County had over 10,000 acres of vineyards and 28 wineries, but Prohibition spelled the end of commercial winegrowing in the region. Most of the county's grapevines were pulled up and replaced with pear and walnut orchards. Due to its superior growing environment, Lake County became renowned for the quality of its pears and is still the second largest supplier of premium fresh pears in the U.S. The renaissance of the local wine industry began again in the late 1960's when a few growers decided to diversify by planting winegrapes in Lake County. Today, the Lake County wine industry is booming with more than 20 wineries, 145 growers and 8,800 acres of producing vineyards.

BIG VALLEY BENCH AREA — Big Valley is the garden spot of Lake County and is surrounded by the Mayacaymus Mountains on the southwest, Mt Konocti on the east and southeast, and by Clear Lake on the north. The valley covers about 31 square miles and contains over 48% of Lake County's agricultural land. Because it was once a lake bottom, the nutrient-dense soil that makes up the majority of Big Valley was created by marine life dating back thousands of years. This evolving watershed has left behind gravely streambeds that interrupt the fertile blocks of loamy soil. The result is a great area for winegrape growing. Big Valley soils consist primarily of clay loam, which retains water very well (in contrast to the porous soils of the Red Hills area). This fertile soil is well suited for many varietals, including Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.

THE RED HILLS DISTRICT — The Red Hills appellation lies along the southwestern shores of Clear Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in California. Designated Lake County's newest AVA in September 2004, Red Hills sits at the foot of the ancient volcano Mount Konocti, and extends from Big Valley on the west to Excelsior Valley on the east. On its southern edge, Red Hills is bounded by the high volcanic peaks of the Mayacamas Mountains. The rolling volcanic terrain of the region is in dramatic contrast to the wider valleys and higher mountains of the surrounding viticultural areas of Lake County. Of the 31,250 acres or 49 square miles in the Red Hills District, about 3,000 acres are currently planted to wine grapes. An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 additional acres are plantable. Growers are attracted to the Red Hills District by rich, shallow volcanic soils that produce compact berries with powerful flavor - ideal for the growing of Cabernet Sauvignon. Wines produced from the local harvest tend to be big and bold, with complex fruity flavors that hint of wild berries, blackberries, cherries and spice. The trace minerals apparent in the volcanic soils lend earthy or flinty notes that add complexity to the product.     Additional red varietals grown in the area include Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petite Verdot, Barbera and Sangiovese. The area is also known for its premium Sauvignon Blanc grapes, though they are produced on a relatively small scale.

ROUND MOUNTAIN/HIGH VALLEY AREA — Round Mountain/High Valley is another of Lake County's high elevation growing areas. Above the northeast shores of Clear Lake, this distinct growing area is defined by steep mountain ridges, which rise directly from the valley floor at 1700 feet above sea level to heights in excess of 3000 feet. Approximately 9 miles long and three miles wide, this rare east-west traverse in the Californian coastal range was created by volcanic activity. Of Round Mountain/High Valley's 15,000 acres, approximately 700 acres are currently planted. The distinct watershed boundaries mean soils found within High Valley area are derived only from parent material found within the basin. These include brick-red volcanic cinders and pumice-like gravel and stones. Like many great wine growing areas, these soils provide superior drainage. Chemical analysis of the soils reveal excellent characteristics for winegrape growing. While the area has become known for intense, concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, the Zinfandel has become highly sought after as well. Cool lake winds and steep volcanic soils combine for a consistent production of small, concentrated, fully ripened berries.

Lake County Wine Tours — A great way to do the Lake County wine tour thing is with Lake County Wine Tours. Owners James and Anne Austin invite you to "experience the undiscovered wine country that is California's Lake County. "Located in the prestigious North Coast AVA which also includes Napa and Sonoma counties, and with more than 20 wineries producing award-winning wines, Lake County is fast becoming a favored wine tasting destination. "Our tour includes vineyards with spectacular views, and friendly tasting rooms with unique gift shops." For a tour, call 998-4471 or email info@countywinetours.com.

Pine Dell Resort & Store — While you're daytripping around Lake County, make time for a stop at Pine Dell Resort on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake Park. You can enjoy a noontime respite with sandwiches from their deli while you take in the spectacular view of Mt Konocti towering over Clear Lake. A full complement of waterfront facilities provide ample opportunity to "partake of the waters." 994-2227.

Tulip Hill Winery — Budge Brown has been farming in California for over 50 years. When asked about his educational background (although he is a UC Davis graduate) he will smile and tell you he graduated from the School of Hard Knocks with a degree in Trial and Error and an emphasis in Blood, Sweat and Tears. With all that and his daughter Kristi Brown, Budge has reached the culmination of his dream -Tulip Hill Winery and Tasting Room - on Hwy 20 just outside Nice at the corner of Bartlett Springs Road. Here, they offer a selection of award winning wines, unique gourmet foods, wine accessories, and more. Call ahead (707 274-9373) for tour times through the winery or just stop by (10 am - 6 pm, daily) to enjoy the beautiful gardens and to savor the wines. Tasting is offered year around, except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. tuliphillwinery.com.

Gregory Graham Wines — Greg Graham has been the winemaker at Rombauer Vineyard since 1988 and began producing wine under his own label in 1992. Greg and his wife Marianne purchased a 13-acre Zinfandel vineyard in the Red Hills appellation of Lake County in September of 2000. They replanted seven acres of the Zinfandel with Syrah and Grenache, realizing their first production from those vines in 2004. In 2005, after purchasing an adjoining 12 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Greg began producing Lake County wines exclusively, including Zinfandel, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. Gregory Graham wines may be purchased on line at ggwines.com.

Moore Family Winery — It may actually have been the Moore Family who invented the concept of taking time. Taking time to do things right. Taking time for family. Taking time to relax. Moore has been in the wine business for decades, building wine caves for Napa Valley wineries. Today he has his very own wine caves on his very own estate, where he and his family pick, prune, bottle, and label their very own organic wines. The Mediterranean-style tasting room is breathtaking, with picture windows lining the entire building. Outside is the rest of their 70-acre estate with ten acres planted to vines. Weddings, meetings, conventions and parties are welcomed with both indoor and outdoor spaces available The winery is open for tasting on the weekends and by appointment. 11990 Bottle Rock Rd, Kelseyville, 707 279 9279. moorefamilywinery.com.

Shannon Ridge Winery — Clay and Margarita Shannon share a background in the wine business.They met when both were working at a Napa Valley winery, and together they built a vineyard management and development company. In 1995, when providing grapes for others fostered a desire to make their own wines, they purchased a mountain property about 35 miles north of Napa County at altitudes of 2100 to 2400 feet which they planted to Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera and Sauvignon Blanc. Their tasting room is located at 12599 Hwy 20 in Clearlake Oaks and is open daily from 10:30 am to 5 pm. To arrange a tour of the vineyards, call 707 998-9656, or email info@shannonridge.com. Their web address is shannonridge.com.

Six Sigma Winery — For the casual passer-by on Spruce Grove Road, Six Sigma Ranch may look like just another vineyard. However, a closer look will reveal this 4300-acre property is much more than a place to grow grapes. Just 50 minutes north of Napa Valley, the ranch is composed of steep mountains, rolling hills and picturesque valleys, and is home to wildlife and vegetation of many kinds. Kaj and Else Ahlmann grew up in Denmark and came to Kansas in 1993. They purchased their Lake County ranch in 2000. Third-generation winemaker Denis Malbec grew up in France and studied viticulture and enology in Bordeaux and Reims. May-britt Malbec has earned the Prince Henri-Melchior de Polignac award as "best sommelier " in the Nordic countries where she was raised. The ranch, vineyards and winery are located at 13372 Spruce Grove Road, Lower Lake. For information, phone 707 994-5051. Six Sigma wines may be purchased online at sixsigmaranch.com.

Ployez Winery — Thanks to Gerald and Shirley Ployez, sparkling wine has become a welcome addition to Lake County's fine wine offerings. The Ployez' produce other varietal wines, including Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gamay Beaujolais. Gerald grew up in the Champagne region of France, where his family has enjoyed three generations of very successful Champagne production. His education includes several degrees in enology from universities in France and specifically in Burgundy. Ployez Winery is located in the beautiful rolling hills near Lower Lake at 11171 Highway 29. For information, call 707 994-2106. The tasting room is open daily, 11 am to 5 pm, and is available for weddings, banquets and meetings. Wines may be purchased online at ployezwines.com.

Steele Wines — "I am now entering my fifth decade as part of the California wine scene," says winemaker and owner Jed Steele, "and, in 1991, I put my skills and philosophy into my own label. "A winemaker's creativity can be limited if he or she is confined to the grapes of one vineyard, one region, one appellation," he continues. "I've blended thousands of tons and millions of gallons of wine from California's best vineyards, ranging from Mendocino to Santa Barbara. I've come to realize the ultimate creation can only be achieved if one goes beyond the terroir." Included among the Steele Wines offerings are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Griz, Viognier, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Located at the corner of Thomas Drive and Highway 29, between Lakeport and Kelseyville, the tasting room is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm. For information, call 707 279-9475. Wines may be purchased online at steelewines.com.

Focused on Wine — On Main Street in Kelseyville (a place some would call "the heart of Lake County wine country") is a new addition to the local wine scene called "Focused on Wine."      Here owner and sommelier, Stephanie Cruz-Green serves an impressive collection of imported, domestic and local wines, Cowgirl Creamery organic cheeses, and fine cigars. Popular with locals and visitors alike, the tasting room offers wine flights and "great local atmosphere." If you'd like to arrange a group tasting, or if you're just looking for more information, you can call Stephanie at 279-2112 or contact her via email at focusedonwine@aol.com.

Wine and Chocolate — Each year on the third Saturday in February, the Lake Family Resource Center gets a head start on Spring with their annual Wine & Chocolate celebration. "Twenty wineries in one location," is the big attraction for an event which benefits a local organization whose slogan is "Strengthening Families." Gourmet chocolates are paired with premium Lake County wines in an afternoon of tasting, great fun and sociability. "Just when that case of cabin fever has reached the unbearable stage - just when you simply can't face another day within the confines of home and work - voila! It's Saturday, February 16 - time for this year's annual edition of Wine and Chocolate!" What could be better? For additional information or to order tickets, call 262-1611.