It”s summertime in Lake County. The fish are jumping and the grapevines are high. Last weekend I attended the Lake County Wine Adventure for the first time. Although I have lived here a full year and imbibed my fair share of Lake County wines, maybe even a bit more than my fair share if the truth be told, I had no idea how many great wineries there are right in my backyard.
The Wine Adventure took my group on a tour of 24 wineries, from Middletown all the way around the lake and up to Cobb Mountain. Langtry Estate was our first stop; this vineyard was originally owned by the great Victorian actress and started in the 1880s. Although I have enjoyed their wines several times I had never been to the estate and what a beautiful place it is. Grab a glass of wine and enjoy the great view from under the wisteria draped portico. The Moore Family Winery has a gorgeous setting as well and the fragrant scent of pine trees over the vineyards adds a unique twist.
Wildhurst, Ceago, Steele, we went to the ones we knew and loved first, but soon we were branching out and trying new wineries. Tulip Hill, Six Sigma, Bell Hill, Ployez and so many more. We made the rounds all weekend, tasting exceptional wines paired with succulent bites of gourmet food. To say we were sated and happy was a distinct understatement and I had not even discovered my new favorite winery yet and to think it was one I had passed a million times ? who knew?
Although I had driven by Gregory Graham many times, I had no idea what delights lay within. Graham was once the winemaker at Rombauer in Napa. Rombauer makes my favorite white wine and for many years I have marked life”s events with a bottle of their chardonnay. To find Graham ensconced down the street making marvelous wines was beyond belief. Every wine I sipped there was exceptional and to hear that he is making his first chardonnay which is due out this October ? would it be too dramatic to say I tremble in anticipation? True wine aficionados will understand, I have a feeling I may be marking all my future events with a bottle of Graham”s chardonnay.
Sometime on Saturday afternoon we visited Mt. Konocti Growers Winery which was originally formed in 1926 by a group of local farmers when it was called the Lake County Fruit Exchange. To my mind, one of the nicest things about Lake County is the impressive variety of agricultural lands surrounding us. Wine, walnuts and those wonderful pears, but pears were about to take on a whole new meaning for me. None of my group had ever tasted Lady of the Lake pear wine before. It is really good, sparkling and light, perfect for our hot summer days. We bought several bottles and I know this libation will become a staple at our house in the coming years.
Sunday night found us busily stacking bottle after bottle of wine up in our basement. Pinots, cabernets, merlots, chardonnays and sauvignon blancs, all grown right here by our neighbors in Lake County. We also came home with memberships in a variety of wine clubs, a gorgeous stained glass tray and a bottle of excellent olive oil from Villa Barone which is also made in Lake County. The company has over 700 olive trees in Jerusalem Valley, I”m not sure where that is, but I”m looking forward to finding out.
After this weekend I can see I will never again need to travel down to Napa or Sonoma for wine. Lake County has a multitude of world class wines and I intend to enjoy them all. In fact, I hear that lovely Viognier calling to me right now. Cheers!
Mary Becker is a former San Francisco business owner who now lives in Lake County. Contact her at mbnorthernlights@gmail.com.
