August 2025 Newsletter
In This Issue…
Lake County Wine Summit, November 13
Kelseyville Pear Festival, September 27
LCWC President Retires
Grower Spotlight: Fore Family Vineyard
Grape & Wine Marketplace
Weather & Climate Report
Affiliate Sponsor: American AgCredit
Affiliate Sponsor: PG&E
Lake County Wine Summit: Sip. Share. Discover.
Save the Date:
November 13, 2025
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Soper Reese Theater
275 S. Main St., Lakeport
Mark your calendars for this half-day tasting event showcasing the character and quality of Lake County winegrapes through focused panels and comparative tastings.
Program Highlights
- Aromatic Whites – Explore how Lake County’s high elevations and varied microclimates shape these fragrant, expressive wines.
- Sauvignon Blanc Comparison – Side-by-side tastings that reveal how Lake County terroir and grower–winemaker collaboration define the region’s signature variety.
- Alternative Reds – Discover lesser-known reds that thrive in Lake County’s volcanic soils and diverse vineyard sites.
- Cabernet Sauvignon Comparison – Compare Cabernet Sauvignons from across the county, highlighting stylistic nuance and site-driven character.
- Innovation & Perspectives – A forward-looking discussion on new approaches in vineyard, winery, and marketplace that are elevating Lake County’s profile.
Registration details coming soon.
Kelseyville Pear Festival, September 27
Join LCWC at the Kelseyville Pear Festival on September 27, 2025, for a fun and educational experience. In partnership with UCCE, LCWC will host a complimentary grape tasting featuring local winegrapes. Visitors can also enjoy a lively cornhole game and explore regional winegrape information. Festivities will take place in the alley next to the LCWC office at 3865 Main Street, Kelseyville.
Lake County Winegrape Commission President Retires
LCWC President Debra Sommerfield recently retired after more than 12 years leading the organization. During her tenure, she championed Lake County growers, launched impactful programs and events, secured nearly $1 million in grant funding, and helped guide the community through challenges like the Valley Fire. LCWC thanks her for her years of service and dedication to the region.
LCWC is seeking a new President. The job listing, detailing responsibilities and qualifications, is available on LinkedIn and WineJobs.com.
Grower Spotlight: Fore Family Vineyard
Photo credit: Karen Pavone
Winegrower Jim Fore’s passion for grape growing and winemaking began as a hobby, rooted in his early days as a home winemaker. While his professional career was spent as a designer working on submarines at a Bay Area shipyard, it was the creativity and hands-on nature of winemaking that truly captivated him.
“I started off gleaning grapes from growers in the Napa Valley to get the best fruit I could to work with,” he remembers fondly. “Along the way, I made some great connections in the wine business.”
When the shipyard announced it was ceasing operations, Jim and his wife, Diane, a kindergarten teacher, found themselves at a crossroads. Neither wanted to relocate out of state for another design project. That’s when he seriously began to consider a pivot to growing winegrapes.
Marketplace
In the market for grapes or bulk wine?
Lake County winegrapes deliver the intensity, character, and phenolics necessary to create wines with the flavors that today’s consumers seek. For winemakers, brokers, and bulk wine buyers, this means high-quality Lake County winegrapes can contribute to a range of wine programs, including appellated wines from Lake County, or one of its eight subappellations, the North Coast AVA, or California — or blended into regional wines to support the bottom line without sacrificing quality. Lake County fruit enables savvy wine brands to over-deliver on quality and value to consumers in today’s market.
Visit the Marketplace page of the LCWC website for an up-to-date list of Lake County bulk wine, grapes, and vines available for sale.
Weather & Climate
View August Report from Dr. Gregory Jones.
Affiliate Sponsor: American AgCredit
Webinar: Harvesting Value – Fundamentals of Finance for Young and Beginning Farmers
Date & Time: September 17, 2025, 12:00 p.m.
This free webinar is designed for young, beginning, or small-scale farmers looking to build a stronger financial foundation in agriculture and will include:
- The fundamentals of building a business plan, crafting an annual budget, and understanding your balance sheet
- Practical insights from an experienced lender
- Access to free resources that offer additional tools to support your financial journey
Click here to learn more and register. Feel free to register even if you cannot attend, as it will be recorded and shared with all registrants afterward.
Affiliate Sponsor: Pacific Gas & Electric
Avoid Damage and Injuries
Call 811 or visit call811.com before you dig or plant to help prevent gas pipeline accidents. 