LAKEPORT — The influence of Lake County”s climate on viticulture and winemaking and a discussion on the appellations of Lake County, as well as a technical wine tasting session, will be the highlight of the “Momentum!” seminar Friday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Soper Reese Community Theatre in Lakeport.
“For our first in this series of three seminars, the Lake County Winegrape Commission is thrilled to be able to present professor Gregory V. Jones, research climatologist, who will share results from his study on the climate of the Clear Lake winegrowing region,” Commission President Debra Sommerfield said.
Jones, a professor and research climatologist in the Department of Environmental Studies at Southern Oregon University, is the keynote speaker for the seminar. It will also include a panel of Lake County winegrowers and winemakers who will discuss the specific characteristics of several of Lake County”s American Viticultural Areas (AVA), a guided technical wine tasting on the evolving style of Lake County wines and a social mixer with appetizers to close the session.
A specialist in the study of climate structure and suitability for viticulture, Jones conducted an analysis of Lake County”s weather variations and influences on the Clear Lake region”s winegrapes. He will present the details of his findings at the first seminar. Jones holds degrees from the University of Virginia in environmental sciences. He was named to Decanter”s 2009 Power List representing the top 50 most influential people in the world of wine and has been in the top 100 most influential people in the U.S. wine industry in 2012 and 2013 by intowine.com.
Peter Molnar, winegrape commission chair and general manager of Obsidian Ridge Vineyards, will present information on the distinct characteristics that differentiate Lake County as a winegrowing region — from climate and elevation to geology and soils.
The seminar also will feature an AVA panel discussion with Gregory Graham, owner/winemaker, Gregory Graham Wines; Randy Krag, vineyard operations manager, Beckstoffer Vineyards; Eric Stine, winemaker, Guenoc/Langtry Estate; Steve Tylicki, general manager/viticulturist, Steele Wines, and David Weiss, owner, Bella Vista Farming.
“The panelists for our first ?Momentum!” workshop are some of the most respected individuals from across Lake County”s wine industry. We anticipate a very informative discussion about the characteristics of winegrapes grown in the various Lake County subappellations,” Sommerfield said.
The “Momentum!” series will continue with seminars in January and February.
The three-part seminar series is designed for Lake County”s grape growers, winery owners, winemakers, tasting room managers and marketing/hospitality directors. Seats are limited, so advance registration is encouraged. The cost for each seminar is $20 per person. Individuals who register with a colleague may do so for half-price; to take advantage of the discount, individuals must register together and enter the promotion code BringaColleague. To register online, visit www. lakecountywinegrape.org/momentum.
For information about the Lake County Winegrape Commission and its programs, call the commission office at 279-2633 or visit www.lakecountywinegrape.org.
