The beautiful and appropriately named High Valley is one of California’s newest American Viticultural Areas (AVA). With vineyards mostly planted between 1,800 and 2,200 feet above sea level this lofty appellation towers over Lake County. Due to its lofty environment, combined with the natural east/west orientation of the valley - which pulls in coastal breezes - and the northern exposure of the vineyards, High Valley represents relatively cool climate viticulture in Lake County. Despite only recently gaining AVA status, High Valley has a long, albeit interrupted tradition in grape growing. In the 19th century the valley was a significant grape growing region, but this once booming industry was abruptly halted by Prohibition in the early 20th century. Thankfully, the region has reemerged as an important and distinct viticultural region. A combination of California’s traditional star grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc make up the varietal mix planted on the volcanic slopes found in this region. As cool climate regions are gaining notoriety in California, the High Valley AVA should soon stand tall amongst its peers as a premium grape growing region in the state. Shannon Ridge vineyards are all located in the High Valley AVA.
A visit to Lake County's High Valley AVA
Wines & Vines, Dec, 2005 by Paul Franson
Shannon Ridge Vineyards
Clay and Margarita Shannon own Shannon Ridge Vineyards, which contains some of the most dramatic sites in California. Planted on rolling deep red soils, some rise at almost 40% grade. Because the soil drains so well, however, there's no erosion.
The volcanic soils, steep ridges and constant cooling winds distinguish the vineyards. The vineyards line the mountain rims along the southeast edge of the High Valley AVA. At 2,200 feet, the Terre Vermeille vineyard looks over Clear Lake, which provides cooling winds during long summer days.
Clay Shannon's vines are mostly red varietals, including the usual varieties plus Petite Sirah. He has propagated buds from 15 Zinfandel vines brought to the area in 1875, and also has Sauvignon Blanc on north-facing slopes. Shannon gets some of the highest prices in Lake County, at $2,200 per ton, but also makes a small amount of wine under his own name. The winery has opened a tasting room in an old school on Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks. The wines are made by Marco DeGiulio at Cardinale and Livingston-Moffett in Napa Valley.
The Shannons' first vineyard was Terre Vermeille, a cinder cone just south of Round Mountain. Along one side lie the red soils from the volcanic flows and along the other, weathered-grey volcanic ash and loams. These vineyards hang on steep west- and north-facing slopes. The first were planted in 1995 with Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel, and more recently, they've added Petite Verdot, Barbera, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Over the ridge from Terre Vermeille, on a steep south-facing slope, is the Morine Ranch, dropping precipitously down toward Clear Lake on a 38-40% pitch. Here, Rhone varietals are planted. Two small vineyards connect Terre Vermeille with the Caldwell Ranch. First is La Sierra, a 25-acre vineyard planted in Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon and the leased Ogulin Vineyard, with 19 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. These two vineyards are at an elevation of approximately 2,200 feet and face north and south. The 360-acre Caldwell Ranch includes 70 to 80 acres of vineyards, including the impossibly steep Petite Sirah vineyard, plus Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, Mourvedre and Sauvignon Blanc.
