Noted Guenoc winemaker dies
Longtime Lake County winemaker Orville Magoon died recently in Santa Barbara.
Magoon produced several highly regarded varietals under the Guenoc label through the 1980s and ‘90s after his mother, Genevieve, suggested they plant vines and restore the historic winery, once owned by 19th century sensation Lillie Langtry.
By the late ‘90s Guenoc was winning acclaim and producing over 100,000 cases of wine each year.
The Magoon family came by the property and winemaking in a unique way. Although native to Hawaii with a name linked to royalty, they were compelled to give up 23 acres of family land. In a complicated compensation package, they were handed the 23,000 acres in Lake County that included the Langtry property.
But his retirement at the end of 2003 came with some controversy. In the months before leaving the industry, Guenoc allegedly broke contracts for grape delivery with perhaps a dozen local vineyards.
Still, Magoon served the county and industry well over the years. He was a member of the Lake County Grape Growers Association, Les Amis du Vin, Supreme Grand Knight of the Brotherhood of the Knights of the Vine, the Order of Military Wine Tasters, and chairman of the Meritage Association. He also participated in local business and civic organizations.
Record-Bee Staff
Public meeting over Wild Diamond plans
There will be a public hearing regarding the proposed Wild Diamond Vineyards tonight in Middletown. The winery proposes to plant approximately 80 acres of new vineyards, construct a winery with the capacity to produce up to 52,800 cases of wine per year, build a wine tasting room that will be open to the public, and create an interpretive center.
The property upon which the project is located encompasses approximately 323 acres with the development activities occurring on approximately 90 acres. The project site is located just north of the community of Hidden Valley Lake adjacent to Spruce Grove Road.
The meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to hear an overview of the project.
It takes place at 6:30 p.m. at the Middletown Library community room, 21256 Washington Street.
Record-Bee Staff
