Guenoc Valley AVA
Encyclopedia
The Guenoc Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area
in Lake County
, California, USA
, about 15 mi (24 km) north of the town of Calistoga
. Guenoc Valley AVA was the first American Viticultural Area designaion granted to an area with just a single winery.
Guenoc Valley is a small inland valley
comprising an alluvial fan of Arroyo Seco
and Conejo Loam series soil
s isolated from surrounding areas by rocky ridges. Its geographical location also affects the climate. Guenoc Valley has slightly less rainfall than the nearby Middletown
area. Guenoc Valley receives approximately 45 inches (114 cm) to 50 inches (127 cm) of rain per year, while Middletown receives approximately 60 in (152 cm) per year. Guenoc Valley also experiences slightly greater seasonal temperature extremes, being warmer in the summer and colder in the winter. Also, due to the surrounding ridges, fog is generally less severe than in Middletown. For these reasons, the United States Department of the Treasury
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
determined that Guenoc Valley possesses geographical features which distinguish the area viticulturally.
established a wine estate in the Guenoc Valley, at the southern end of the county in the 1800s. It wasn't until the late 1960s and the 1970s that farmers who wanted to diversify started planting grapes again, mostly in nearby Big Valley.
On the site of Lillie Langtry's old estate, Guenoc and Langtry Estate Vineyards was revived by the Magoon family at about the same time. Longtime winery president Orville Magoon sold his interest in the company in 2003 and retired to San Francisco. The winery and the 21000 acre (8,498.4 ha) it sits on is owned by Malulani Investments Ltd., a real estate group that since 1964 has been the only shareholder and stockholder of Guenoc.
, Sauvignon Blanc
and Chardonnay
, as well as Malbec
and Petite Sirah from the estate vineyards. Petite Sirah is the leading red grape in the appellation, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon
, Merlot
, Petit Verdot
, Carmenère
, Cabernet Franc
and Malbec
. Among whites, Langtry grows Chardonnay
, Sauvignon Blanc
, Semillon
, Marsanne and Viognier
. Langtry also has the distinction of having some of the oldest vines in California, as a couple of Syrah vines dating back to the 1850s still grow at the Tephra Ridge Vineyard.
American Viticultural Area
An American Viticultural Area is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau , United States Department of the Treasury....
in Lake County
Lake County, California
Lake County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of California, north of the San Francisco Bay Area. It takes its name from Clear Lake, the dominant geographic feature in the county and the largest natural lake wholly within California...
, California, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, about 15 mi (24 km) north of the town of Calistoga
Calistoga, California
Calistoga is a city in Napa County, California, United States. The population was 5,155 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , 99.30% of it land and 0.70% of it water.-Climate:...
. Guenoc Valley AVA was the first American Viticultural Area designaion granted to an area with just a single winery.
Guenoc Valley is a small inland valley
Valley
In geology, a valley or dale is a depression with predominant extent in one direction. A very deep river valley may be called a canyon or gorge.The terms U-shaped and V-shaped are descriptive terms of geography to characterize the form of valleys...
comprising an alluvial fan of Arroyo Seco
Arroyo Seco
The Arroyo Seco, meaning "dry stream" in Spanish, is a seasonal river, canyon, watershed, and cultural area in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The Arroyo Seco has been called the most celebrated canyon in Southern California.-River course:...
and Conejo Loam series soil
Soil
Soil is a natural body consisting of layers of mineral constituents of variable thicknesses, which differ from the parent materials in their morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical characteristics...
s isolated from surrounding areas by rocky ridges. Its geographical location also affects the climate. Guenoc Valley has slightly less rainfall than the nearby Middletown
Middletown, California
Middletown is a census-designated place in Lake County, California, United States. Middletown is located south of Lower Lake, at an elevation of 1099 feet . The population was 1,323 at the 2010 census, up from 1,020 at the 2000 census...
area. Guenoc Valley receives approximately 45 inches (114 cm) to 50 inches (127 cm) of rain per year, while Middletown receives approximately 60 in (152 cm) per year. Guenoc Valley also experiences slightly greater seasonal temperature extremes, being warmer in the summer and colder in the winter. Also, due to the surrounding ridges, fog is generally less severe than in Middletown. For these reasons, the United States Department of the Treasury
United States Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury is an executive department and the treasury of the United States federal government. It was established by an Act of Congress in 1789 to manage government revenue...
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, statutorily named the Tax and Trade Bureau and frequently shortened to TTB, is a bureau of the United States Department of the Treasury....
determined that Guenoc Valley possesses geographical features which distinguish the area viticulturally.
History
Guenoc Valley has a long tradition of viticulture and wine production. In 1888, Victorian actress Lillie LangtryLillie Langtry
Lillie Langtry , usually spelled Lily Langtry when she was in the U.S., born Emilie Charlotte Le Breton, was a British actress born on the island of Jersey...
established a wine estate in the Guenoc Valley, at the southern end of the county in the 1800s. It wasn't until the late 1960s and the 1970s that farmers who wanted to diversify started planting grapes again, mostly in nearby Big Valley.
On the site of Lillie Langtry's old estate, Guenoc and Langtry Estate Vineyards was revived by the Magoon family at about the same time. Longtime winery president Orville Magoon sold his interest in the company in 2003 and retired to San Francisco. The winery and the 21000 acre (8,498.4 ha) it sits on is owned by Malulani Investments Ltd., a real estate group that since 1964 has been the only shareholder and stockholder of Guenoc.
Climate
Guenoc Valley is a small inland valley of about 23000 acre (9,307.8 ha), extending from upper Napa County. The wine appellation is defined by the rocky ridge surrounding it and is entirely contained within the boundaries of Lake County. The Guenoc vineyards sit at 400 ft (121.9 m) elevation. These vineyards are the first in the area to be harvested, as extremely hot days are common and over-ripening is a concern. The area also has very cool nights, preserving acidity and producing rich wines with elegant structure, making it a Climate Region III.Viniculture
There are now 340 acre (137.6 ha) of vines surrounding the Guenoc estate. The winery works with SemillonSémillon
Sémillon is a golden-skinned grape used to make dry and sweet white wines, most notably in France and Australia.-History:The origin of the Sémillon grape is hard to determine. It is known that it first arrived in Australia in the early 19th century and by the 1820s the grape covered over 90 percent...
, Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape most likely gets its name from the French word sauvage and blanc due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France., a possible descendant of savagnin...
and Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is originated from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand...
, as well as Malbec
Malbec
Malbec is a purple grape variety used in making red wine. The grapes tend to have an inky dark color and robust tannins, and are long known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine. The French plantations of Malbec are now found primarily in Cahors in the South West...
and Petite Sirah from the estate vineyards. Petite Sirah is the leading red grape in the appellation, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Canada's Okanagan Valley to Lebanon's Beqaa Valley...
, Merlot
Merlot
Merlot is a darkly blue-coloured wine grape, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to derive from the Old French word for young blackbird, merlot, a diminutive of merle, the blackbird , probably from the color of the grape. Merlot-based wines...
, Petit Verdot
Petit verdot
Petit Verdot is a variety of red wine grape, principally used in classic Bordeaux blends. It ripens much later than the other varieties in Bordeaux, often too late, so it fell out of favour in its home region. When it does ripen, it is added in small amounts to add tannin, colour and flavour to the...
, Carmenère
Carmenère
The Carménère grape is a wine grape variety originally planted in the Médoc region of Bordeaux, France, where it was used to produce deep red wines and occasionally used for blending purposes in the same manner as Petit Verdot....
, Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone - as in the Loire's Chinon...
and Malbec
Malbec
Malbec is a purple grape variety used in making red wine. The grapes tend to have an inky dark color and robust tannins, and are long known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine. The French plantations of Malbec are now found primarily in Cahors in the South West...
. Among whites, Langtry grows Chardonnay
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used to make white wine. It is originated from the Burgundy wine region of eastern France but is now grown wherever wine is produced, from England to New Zealand...
, Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. The grape most likely gets its name from the French word sauvage and blanc due to its early origins as an indigenous grape in South West France., a possible descendant of savagnin...
, Semillon
Sémillon
Sémillon is a golden-skinned grape used to make dry and sweet white wines, most notably in France and Australia.-History:The origin of the Sémillon grape is hard to determine. It is known that it first arrived in Australia in the early 19th century and by the 1820s the grape covered over 90 percent...
, Marsanne and Viognier
Viognier
Viognier is a white wine grape. It is the only permitted grape for the French wine Condrieu in the Rhone valley.-History:The origin of the Viognier grape is unknown. Viognier is presumed to be an ancient grape, possibly originating in Dalmatia and then brought to Rhône by the Romans. One legend...
. Langtry also has the distinction of having some of the oldest vines in California, as a couple of Syrah vines dating back to the 1850s still grow at the Tephra Ridge Vineyard.
Further reading
- Magoon, G. S. (1976). The story of Guenoc Ranch, Lake and Napa Counties, California. Honolulu?: Magoon
- Case, S. D. (1982). Join me in paradise: the history of Guenoc Valley. Middletown, Calif: Guenoc Winery.
- Gerson, N. B. (1971). Because I loved him; the life and loves of Lillie Langtry. New York: Morrow.