WINE SPECTATOR COMMENTS ON LAKE COUNTY REDS
February 22, 2010
WINE SPECTATOR COMMENTS ON LAKE COUNTY REDS—
JAMES LAUBE –
"This week's Tasting Highlights features very good California reds that represent excellent value from the Golden State. The quality of these wines, highlighted by the rather amazing 2006 Cameron Hughes Lake County Red Hills Cabernet Lot 168, reflects some producers' sustained emphasis on value and others downshifting a bit to sync with the market.
The Cameron Hughes Cabernet is also a reminder of how the quality of Lake County reds are on the rise. You see the Lake County appellation on more wines these days..."
February 3, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE WINE COMPETITION—LAKE COUNTY RESULTS
SAN FRANCISCO – Lake County wines won nearly 80 awards this year at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, with approximately 50 of the top medals going to Lake County Winery Association members.
The annual San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is touted as the “largest competition of American wines in the world.” The 2010 event concluded Jan. 8 following five days of tasting and evaluating 4,913 entries, a world record number, according to the event’s website.
“We are ecstatic to learn that Lake County wines and wineries stood out among the 4,900 entries,” said Monica Rosenthal, executive director of the Lake County Winery Association. “It helps distinguish Lake County as a premier winegrape producing region. We know we have excellent grapes and wine, but it is especially nice to get that recognition from panels of professional judges ranking entries in such a renowned competition.”
Gold medal winning Lake County wines produced by association members include: Brassfield Estate’s 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($50-$59.99) and its 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($14-$19.99), Gregory Graham’s 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($14-$19.99) and 2008 Riesling, Rosa d’Oro’s 2007 Sangiovese, Shannon Ridge Winery’s 2008 Chardonnay ($20-$24.99) and 2008 Sauvignon Blanc ($14-$19.99), Sol Rouge’s 2007 Syrah ($25-$29.99), and Wildhurst Vineyards’ 2007 Merlot ($15-$19.99). Other wineries receiving gold medals for Lake County wines include: VIE Winery which captured gold with its 2008 Lake County Roussanne and Robledo Family Winery which received a gold for it’s 2007 Lake County Tempranillo.
Awarded the highest honor among all the Lake County wines entered, Obsidian Ridge Vineyard’s 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon was selected as Best of Class and Judges’ Choice in its category (Cabernet Sauvignon $25-$29.99). It was one of six Cabernet Sauvignons selected as Judges’ Choice winners, qualifying it for the Sweepstakes Round.
The win “comes on the heels of a strong year for us,” said Peter Molnar, partner and general manager at Obsidian Ridge. “It shows that we have what it takes in Lake County to produce a really good Cabernet.”
Molnar was “particularly happy,” he said, because it was a 2007 that was “just released.” He described the wine as one made from small berries with intense flavors. He emphasized that the honor indicates that for Lake County’s wines “recognition is happening.” Obsidian Ridge also received an award for its 2007 Lake County Syrah.
Awards were presented to the following Lake County wineries and wineries that produce wines from Lake County grapes: Beaver Creek Vineyards, Bell Cellars, Big Valley, Bonterra Vineyards, Charles Creek Vineyard, Dacalier, Fortress Vineyards, Imagery Estate Winery, Main Street, Matchbook, McDermaid Family Vineyard, Sunce Winery, and Zina Hyde Cunningham.
Two Lake County wineries were the recipients of Double Gold awards. Double Gold indicates a unanimous Gold choice by the judges in any particular category. Double Gold awards were presented to Robledo Family Winery for its 2006 Los Carneros Pinot Noir ($40-$49.99 category) and to Sol Rouge for its 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (over $60 category).
Winning entries in each category can be found on the competition website, www.winejudging.com. Tickets for the public tasting portion of the event may be purchased online. The public’s opportunity to taste entries from the competition is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the Fort Mason Center in San Francisco. Tickets are $60 per person in advance and $80 per person at the door.
For more information about the Lake County Winery Association, visit the association’s website, www.lakecountywineries.org or contact Monica Rosenthal at monica@lakecountywineries.org. Information about Lake County winegrapes and vineyards may be found at www.lakecountywinegrape.org. on the Lake County Winegrape Commission website or contact Shannon Gunier at shannong@lakecountywinegrape.org.
On October 3 the Lake County Winery Association hosted the 2009 People’s Choice Wine Awards, the Association’s inaugural competition showcasing wines crafted from Lake County grapes. Following is a list of the results-- (ace x, y, z, king x, y, queen x, y, etc. reference the consumer card voting system used on Oct. 3)
PEOPLE'S CHOICE WINE AWARDS
Sauvignon Blanc nominations:
FORTRESS VINEYARDS 2008 (ace x)
THE HESS COLLECTION WINERY 2008 (ace y)--Best Sauvignon Blanc
SHOOTING STAR 2008 (ace z)
Viognier nominations:
GREGORY GRAHAM 2007 (king x)
GREGORY GRAHAM 2008 (king y)--Best Viognier
Chardonnay nominations:
GUENOC 2007 (queen x)
SHANNON RIDGE 2008 (queen y)--Best Chardonnay
Alternative Whites nominations:
WILDHURST VINEYARDS Orange Muscat 2008 (jack x)
BRASSFIELD ESTATE WINERY Riesling 2007 (jack y)--Best Alternative White
Rose nominations:
BRASSFIELD ESTATE WINERY 2007 (ten x)
GREGORY GRAHAM 2008 (ten y)--Best Rose
MOORE FAMILY WINERY 2008 (ten z)
Pinot Noir nominations:
SHOOTING STAR 2008--Best Pinot Noir
Syrah nominations:
GREGORY GRAHAM Crimson Hill 2006 (nine x)--Best Syrah
SOL ROUGE 2006 (nine y)
WILDHURST VINEYARDS Reserve 2006 (nine z)
Sparkling nominations:
SHOOTING STAR Black Bubbles--Best Sparkling
Merlot nominations:
SHOOTING STAR 2007 (eight x)
STEELE WINES 2006 (eight y)
WILDHURST VINEYARDS (eight z)--Best Merlot
Bordeaux Varietals nominations:
BRASSFIELD ESTATE WINERY Malbec 2006 (seven x)
STEELE WINES Cab Franc 2007 (seven y)--Best Bordeaux Varietal
WRITERS BLOCK Cab Franc 2007 (seven z)
Cabernet Sauvignon nominations:
GUENOC 2006 (six x)
SHANNON RIDGE WINERY 2006 (six y)
SHED HORN CELLARS 2006 (six z)--Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Alternative Reds nominations:
SHOOTING STAR Barbera 2007 (five x)
WRITERS BLOCK Counoise 2007 (five y)
ZINA HYDE CUNNINGHAM Barbera 2006 (five z)--Best Alternative Red
Zinfandel nominations:
BARCLAY & BROWNING Hoodoo Creek 2002 (four x)
SHED HORN CELLARS 100% Lake 2007 (four y)
WRITERS BLOCK 2007 (four z)--Best Zinfandel
Petite Sirah nominations:
LINE 39 CECCHETTI RACKE 100% Sirah 2007 (three x)
FORTRESS VINEYARDS 2007 (three y)--Best Petite Sirah
CORTE RIVA 2005 (three z)
White Dessert Wine nominations:
BRASSFIELD ESTATE WINERY Susan's Passion 2008 (two x)
CEAGO Muscat 2008 (two y)--Best White Dessert Wine
FORTRESS VINEYARDS Semillon 2007 (two z)
Red Dessert Wine nominations:
GUENOC Petite Sirah Port 2006 (wild card x)
WILDHURST VINEYARDS Zinfandel Port (wild card y)--Best Red Dessert Wine
OTHER PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS
Best White Wine of Red Hills AVA nominations:
FORTRESS VINEYARDS 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
GREGORY GRAHAM 2008 Sauvignon Blanc--BEST White Wine of Red Hills
Best Red Wine of Red Hills AVA nominations:
GREGORY GRAHAM Crimson Hill 2006 Syrah
FORTRESS VINEYARDS 2007 Petite Sirah--BEST Red Wine of Red Hills
Best Red Red Wine of High Valley AVA nominations:
BRASSFIELD ESTATE WINERY 2006 Malbec--BEST Red Wine of High Valley
Best of Show White Wine nominations:
FORTRESS VINEYARDS 2008 Sauvignon
SHOOTING STAR 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
GREGORY GRAHAM 2008 Viognier--BEST OF SHOW White Wine
Best of Show Red Wine nominations:
SHOOTING STAR 2007 Barbera
GREGORY GRAHAM 2006 Crimson Hill--BEST OF SHOW Red Wine
CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS
Best White Wine of Red Hills AVA:
FORTRESS VINEYARDS 2008 Sauvignon Blanc & GREGORY GRAHAM 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Best Red Wine of Red Hills AVA:
FORTRESS VINEYARDS 2007 Petite Sirah
Best Red Wine of High Valley AVA:
BRASSFIELD ESTATE WINERY 2006 Malbec
BEST OF SHOW White Wine:
FORTRESS VINEYARDS 2008 Sauvignon Blanc
BEST OF SHOW Red Wine:
CORTE RIVA 2005 Petite Sirah
BEST WINERY OF LAKE COUNTY AWARDED TO...
STEELE WINES producer of Writers Block, Shooting Star, and Steele Wines
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A PDF printout out of all the People's Choice Wine Awards for your convenience
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If you have a few minutes, I would invite you to see some of the new Lake County in the following video compliments of the Lake County Winegrape Commission
www.lakecountywinegrape.org/country/spotlight.php
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HOSTED by the Lake County Winery Association
Professional Judging: August 25, 2009
Deadline for wine entry: August 19, 2009
THE FIRST-EVER COMPREHENSIVE JUDGING OF LAKE COUNTY WINES.
The Lake County Winery Association is hosting its inaugural wine competition -- showcasing wines with Lake County or a Lake County AVA stated on the label. Wines made outside of Lake County using Lake County grapes are also invited to enter. Wineries can enter a variety of categories.
Lake County Winery Association is honored to have such a distinguished panel of wine judges to select the finalists in each category including: Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast; Deborah Parker Wong, The Tasting Panel; Traci Dutton, Culinary Institute of America; Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine; Chris Sawyer, “Sommelier to the Stars”; Tom DiNardo, Sommelier and Wine Appraiser; Bob Foster, California Grape Vine; Alan Goldfarb, Appellation America; Mike Dunne, Sacramento Bee and Martha Dunne, Winegigs.com. These judges will nominate their selections for the best wines in each category. The judging will take place at Langtry Estate and Vineyards.
The competition gives each winery the opportunity to expose their wines to a group of professionals who influence millions of wine enthusiasts the world over.
A consumer event will be held at Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Lower Lake on October 3, where consumers will vote for their choice among the judges’ top picks.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Please act quickly for inclusion in the Peoples Choice Wine Awards.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors: Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Elk Mountain Vineyards, Jonas Oil, Kadar Hungary Cooperage, Lake County Winegrape Commission, Rosenthal Vineyards, Synergy Glass & Packaging, Tallman Hotel & Blue Wing Saloon, World Cooperage, M.A. Silva Corks, USA, Twin Pine Casino, Bella Vista Farming Co. LLC, SaverGlass, Lake Event Design & Party, and the Clearlake Foods Etc.
Kaj Ahlmann Ray Johnson
Chairman Tasting Director
Lake County Winery Association Consumer’s Choice Wine Awards
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About the Lake County Wine Region
With a rich history of grape growing and winemaking, Lake County is one of California’s newest wine country destinations for those looking to enjoy fine wines in a relaxed, down-to-earth, rural and breathtaking environment. This award-winning, yet relatively undiscovered wine region is located just 20 miles north of the Napa Valley nestled in the heart of the Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges. It surrounds Clear Lake, California’s largest natural fresh water lake and sits at the foot of Mt. Konocti, a dormant volcano that forms a prominent and majestic landmark almost centered in Lake County. Mt. Konocti is responsible for crafting a wide range of elevations suitable for growing a wide selection of varietals. The combination of high elevation, diverse soils, unique microclimates and sustainable farming practices produce the premium quality grapes that provide the origin of Lake County’s highly acclaimed wines.
About Lake County Winery Association
Formed in 2007, the Lake County Winery Association is a non-profit organization of wineries that aims to promote Lake County as a wine tour destination. The association hosts several wine events throughout the year that encourage visitors and locals to explore the wines of this up-and-coming region including the annual Lake County Wine Adventure which takes place the last weekend of July. For more information visit www.lakecountywineries.org
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Lake County Environmentally Friendly Practices....Excerpt from Mar/Apr 09 Practical Winery feature article--- Lake County Environmentally-friendly practices, high elevation, and favorable climate reduce pest pressures There are many noteworthy efforts to improve sustainability and environmental stewardship among different California winegrowing regions. Located in the mountains north of Napa County, Lake County winegrowers use fewer pesticides and more low-risk crop protectants than other winegrowing regions in the North Coast and California. The climate of lake County is very favorable for wine grape production but not for diseases and pests. The region has many new vineyards that are designed and managed by experienced growers...
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FOOD & WINE reports......
August 2009
These up-and-coming regions are producing stellar wines at terrific prices.
1. Clar...
2. Lake County
Lake County, just north of Napa Valley, grows a wide range of grapes, but the standout wines are citrusy Sauvignon Blancs.
bottles to look for:
2007 Line 39 Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Wildhurst Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
2007 Brassfield Estate High Serenity Ranch Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
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Lake County Winery Association Raffle Winners:
Gene Dangel, CA: Grand Prize:
6 Hour Limo Wine Tour & Dinner for 8 at the Saw Shop
Charles Boyer, WA: 1st Place Prize
2 Night stay at the Tallman Hotel and Dinner for 2 at the Blue Wing Saloon
Carol Robertson, CA: 2nd Place Prize
Wildflower tour for 4 on horse drawn carriage
Kyle Rossler, CA: 3rd Place Prize
4 Tickets for the 2009 Wine Adventure
Thank you to all who helped support this fundraiser.
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Lake County Winery Association
Hosts Bay Area Hotel Concierges
Written by Editor
Lake County News
Saturday, 10 May 2008
LAKEPORT – How do you efficiently spread the word about the bounty and beauty of Lake County to the 16 million tourists that arrive in San Francisco every year? Why not enlist the help of a hotel concierge? They are the people guests turn to when they are looking for advice about exploring California wine country.
So when members of the Lake County Winery Association and Lake County Marketing Program set their sights on promoting Lake County wineries as a destination, they invited eight of the Bay Area’s top hotel concierges for a tour last week.
“We created a two-day, action packed itinerary that really left the concierges with lots to talk about and recommend,” explains Gregory Graham, vice chairman of the nine-month-old Lake County Winery Association (LCWA).
To start the trip, the concierges were whisked from downtown San Francisco to Sausalito, where a deluxe helicopter was waiting. A quick 45-minute scenic flight brought them directly to Shannon Ridge Winery where they toured high elevation vineyards while enjoying spectacular views of the lake. At Ceago Vinegarden, the guests learned about the multifaceted aspects of producing wine using organic and biodynamic farming methods.
Just when they thought it couldn’t get any better, guests were shuttled to the Tallman Hotel, hosts of their overnight stay and the evening winemaker’s reception. As they sipped and sampled more Lake County wines, and chatted with industry members, it became clear that Lake County had made a great impression with the concierges.
“I’m looking forward to sending our guests to this jewel north of San Francisco; and of course I can not wait to come back myself to sample all these delicious wines again by that beautiful lake,” said David Perea Kihien of San Francisco’s Grand Hyatt Hotel. “This trip has been awesome – such unexpected beauty!”
On the second day of the trip, Aero Airport Shuttle transported guests as they explored Upper Lake and Kelseyville shops and wine tasting rooms, experienced a barrel tasting at Six Sigma Winery and savored port and chocolate truffles at Langtry Estate and Vineyard.
“I think we made a lasting impression and put Lake County on the map for wine aficionados and travelers looking for something beyond typical wine country tours,” Debra Sommerfield, deputy administrative officer with Lake County Economic Development explained. “But it couldn’t have happened without the tremendous contribution of so many Lake County wineries and businesses. Everyone worked so well together on this – and it really showed!”
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New winery organization to promote Lake County
By Elizabeth Wilson--Record-Bee staff
Article Last Updated: 04/30/2008 09:04:06 PM PDTLAKE COUNTY -- A brand new organization of wineries that aims to promote Lake County as a wine region paired with the county to host hotel representatives Tuesday and Wednesday.
The tour led Bay Area hotel executives through area tasting rooms in the hope that hotels will turn around and promote Lake County as a destination to guests.
"They're tremendously positive. They see it as a really great alternative to other areas they are traditionally sending guests to," Matt Hughes said, president of the nine-month-old Lake County Winery Association (LCWA).
Hughes said the Bay Area views Lake County as a more "approachable and casual" version of wine country, where tastings are around $5 rather than $20, and lines non-existent.
"The golden ticket for us is we like to say it's wine country with altitude, because we have a lot of high elevation vineyards," Hughes said.
The tour was sponsored by the association and the county. LCWA came together out of collaboration between several winery owners, but didn't form until 2007 because the county "never had the critical mass to get it started." Today there are 23 wineries in the county. A little over a year ago, there were just 14 and six years ago only four wineries.
Hughes said the group will run the Wine Adventure this summer, and join with the Winegrape Commission on other events to bring a focus on the consumer.
The group is currently developing ideas on how to expand the Winegrape Commission's events, such as the High Altitude Viticultural Symposium. "Those events have kind of been trade events we'd like to open it up to consumers as well," Hughes said. There is "a lot of crossover between the two organizations in membership," he added.
The organization is open not only to winery owners, but businesses wishing to promote Lake County's wine region. "Right now the Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon are associate members. We'd love to see a lot of businesses and restaurants join that are interested in seeing the wine industry grow here."
Members pay a one-time fee to join and annual dues loosely based on winery production levels.
In conjunction with the county, the organization just produced a winery map to include new wineries that have been established in the last few years. It was distributed to the North California Concierge Association members this week to include on hotel Web sites.
The eight guests included representatives from Le Meridien, Palace Hotel, Monterey Hyatt Regency, Yountville Inn, Grand Hyatt and the Hyatt Regency. They visited Shannon Ridge, Ceago Vinegardens, Wildhurst, Rosa D'Oro Winery, Six Sigma and Langtry Estate and Vineyards. A new Web site for the organization will be up and running shortly. For more information on the group, visit www.lakecountywineries.org.
Contact Elizabeth Wilson at ewilson@record-bee.com
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Friday, May 30, 2008
The other wine country
Some of Northern California's lesser-known vineyard zones
San Francisco Business Times - by Chris Rauber
Lake County has ambitions
Lake County is another fast growing region with 22 wineries (18 with tasting rooms), up from just four in the early 1990s.
Fredrikson said the standouts remain Steele Wines and Jim Fetzer's Ceago Vinegarden, which attracts a number of well-heeled visitors, some of whom fly in on seaplanes and land on Clear Lake to taste his wines and visit his bio-dynamic vineyards. (Plans at Ceago also call for a restaurant, hotel and spa and nearby condominiums.)
Fredrikson isn't the only observer paying attention to Lake County. Its Snows Lake Vineyard, in the Red Hills Lake County American Viticultural Area, won a "great gold" and three other golds in Bordeaux, France, this year at the 15th annual Concours Mondial de Bruxelles international wine competition, one of eight U.S. wineries to win a total of 14 medals -- and the only one to win a great gold.
"There's a pioneering element to this area, especially in the Red Hills appellation," said John Adriance, chief operating officer at Snows Lake and a former controller and vice president for Robert Mondavi Corp. "(Lake County) reminds me of Napa Valley in the late 1970s and early '80s, when it was new. There's an awareness that something's going on up here."
The vineyard produces its own wines and sells grapes to customers like Beringer, Stag's Leap, Rosenblum Cellars, Dynamite Vineyards and Cakebread Cellars for a premium about 40 percent higher than Lake County's $1,400 per ton average, according to Adriance. It has 810 planted acres, primarily with cabernet sauvignon, including one vineyard originally developed by Louis Martini, one of the first iconic Northern California wine producers to see the appeal of the county.
Many of the vines were planted 10 years ago and already have produced an equal number of vineyard-designated wines, said Snows Lake viticulturist Charlie Hossom, which he calls "quite an accomplishment for an area like Red Hills." That culminated last month in the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles' great gold for the 2005 Snows Lake "One," its premium home-grown cabernet.