Lake County AVA is located east of Mendocino County and north of the Napa Valley. This warm inland mountain region ranges from 1,300 to 2,500 feet above sea level. California’s largest natural body of freshwater, Clear Lake, dominates the landscape and moderates the Lake County climate. While the County surrounds the entire lake, the majority of grapevine plantings are at the south-end of the lake where the land is more suitable for viticulture.
Lake County soils vary, especially between the very unique sub AVAs. Parts of this region’s climate can be compared to northern parts of the Napa, warm and dry and very much to the liking of Cabernet Sauvignon, which is the most widely planted variety here. The region once was most well known for the white grape Sauvignon Blanc, which does very well in the cooler areas surrounding the Clear Lake. Red varieties like Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Merlot have also been making an impact.
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