July 2025 Newsletter
In This Issue…
Crop Insurance Reminders
News from UC Davis: Viticulture Certificate Program
Grower Spotlight: Thompson Creek Vineyard
Lake County Wines in the News
Grape & Wine Marketplace
Weather & Climate Report
Affiliate Sponsor: PG&E
Affiliate Sponsor: Vineyard Industry Products
Mark Your Calendar: 2026 Crop Coverage Deadlines
Key Deadlines:
- November 1, 2025: Deadline for Grapevine Multiperil Crop Insurance (MPCI) Dollar Coverage, which insures vines against mortality due to fire, flood, freeze, hail, and drought.
- January 31, 2026: Deadline for Grape MPCI Yield Coverage, which insures grapes for yield losses caused by natural perils.
Enhancements:
- FIP-SI (Fire Insurance Protection – Smoke Index): provides additional smoke coverage to the underlying MPCI policy without requiring lab testing, claims adjustment, or notice of loss. FIP-SI coverage is specific to the number of heavy smoke days the county experiences and does not consider the policyholders smoke loss.
- SCO (Supplemental Coverage Option) & ECO (Enhanced Coverage Option): Extends insurance coverage beyond traditional limits, offering protection up to 95 percent of expected crop value. These options are highly subsidized, with premium subsidies of 65 percent (SCO expected to increase to 80 percent for 2026). SCO and ECO losses are based off the county’s overall yield performance and not the policyholder’s yields.
Contact Kristine Fox at (559) 381-8981 or kristine.fox@relationinsurnace.com for further details.
Viticulture Certificate Program
UC Davis’ online Viticulture Certificate Program is open for enrollment, with courses starting as soon as September. An information session will take place August 5, 2025, at 11:30 a.m.
The Viticulture Certificate Program is designed to provide current and aspiring vineyard managers and other wine industry professionals with comprehensive technical knowledge and practical application for commercial winegrape production. This online viticulture program combines the viticultural expertise of the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis and UC Cooperative Extension Farm advisors with the practical knowledge and experience of industry experts. Gain foundational knowledge and skills in quality grapevine production, site assessment, vineyard management, and pests and disease control for wine grapes.
Grower Spotlight: Thompson Creek Vineyard
Photo credit: Karen Pavone
Jay Singh never set out to be a farmer, let alone a winegrape grower. Raised on his family’s multi-generational farm in a rural corner of northwestern India, he decided early on that life on the land wasn’t for him. Farming felt more like a legacy to escape than a future to embrace. So, he ran from what seemed like destiny.
In 2009, at just 17 years old, Jay moved to the United States to pursue higher education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from California State University, Northridge, in 2015. His professional journey began at Wells Fargo, followed by a series of relocations that took him from North Carolina to Seattle for a role at Amazon, then back to San Francisco with Wells Fargo, and now to a fully remote position with a FinTech company. Lake County was never on his radar, but fate had other plans in the form of an unforgettable wine tasting experience.
In the News
Did You Know California Has Volcanoes?
Full article by L.M. Archer on TheDrinksBusiness.com.
“Red volcanic soils, high altitude and a seemingly magnetic pull for veteran winemakers are making Lake County in northern California one to watch, writes LM Archer.”
“Beyond tangible sales and sustainability measurements, Lake County tenders something intangible: authenticity. For this reason, winemakers worldwide relocate to Lake County, bringing their expertise.”
Wine Scores
Congratulations to these Lake County wines, which were recently reviewed by Rich Cook of Wine Review Online:
atLarge 2022 Amber Knolls Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Hills – Lake County
“Winemaker Keith Emerson, who also makes Vineyard 29 wines, brings us this sumptuous Cabernet from Andy Beckstoffer’s Amber Knolls Vineyard in Lake County on the slopes south of the Clearlake Riviera. A slow, cool ferment and cautious extraction allows a well folded green character on the nose that gives depth to the fruit, with moderate oak char adding a nice accent. The palate delivers a classic, top-flight, old school Cali profile, with blackberry, cassis, dried herb and easy oak char that rides a sturdy structure through a long finish. There is a long life ahead here. Bravo!” 96 points
Crimson Veil 2023 Beckstoffer Crimson Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Hills – Lake County
“I often hear that Andy Beckstoffer is the smartest guy in the wine business, carefully purchasing sites that produce superior fruit. A big investment has been made in Lake County vineyards over the past several years, and those vines are now fully online and producing up to the Beckstoffer standards. This offering, the first for Curtis Strohl’s Crimson Veil label, selects from Crimson Ridge’s high elevations (up to 2510 feet), and shows rich aromas that are fruit-forward and gently accented with mineral, dried herb and oak char. The red fruit driven profile is deep and concentrated on the palate, and the wood tones are already folding into the fruit nicely. It is very approachable now, and it has the structure to age 10+ years easily. Made by Kirk Venge.” 94 points
Obsidian Ridge 2022 Half Mile Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Hills – Lake County
“The number in the proprietary name of this wine is the elevation above sea level of the source vineyard. That combined with the volcanic nature of the soil makes for a very interesting chocolate mint nose with dark berry fruit accents and some oak char notes. The palate places the mint as a retro nasal touch, letting the black fruit, crushed herbs and oak toast mix drive the flavor profile. Sturdy volcanic tannins with a fair amount of grip extend the finish. Proprietor Peter Molnar mentioned that the terroir at Obsidian Ridge is more like Washington than it is like the Napa Valley (which is just over the mountain), and the exposure means that they never pull leaves as they need the whole canopy to protect the fruit. The result is a bold, bright and beautiful wine you can drink now or age for 15+ years.” 95 points
Congratulations to these Lake County wines, which Wine Enthusiast recently reviewed:
- 13 Rams 2021 Red Wine, 93 Points
- Clay Shannon 2021 Petite Sirah, 90 Points
- Meeker 2022 Mourvèdre – Block 8 La Sierra Vineyard, 94 Points
- Moon Tears 2023 Albarino Brisat, 95 points
- Moon Tears 2023 Albarino, 94 points
- Outlier 2023 Pinot Noir, 94 Points
- Ovis 2021 Cabernet Franc, Red Hills Lake County, 93 Points
- Ovis 2022 Chardonnay, High Valley, 91 Points
- Ovis 2020 Nero d’Avola, High Valley, 93 Points
- Ovis 2020 Petite Sirah, High Valley, 91 Points
- Riley’s Rows 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon – Syrah, 91 Points
- Riley’s Rows 2021 Pinot Noir, 90 Points
- Riley’s Rows 2021 Chardonnay, 91 Points
- Riley’s Rows 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, 92 Points
- Riley’s Rows 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Lake/Sonoma, 91 points
- Shannon Ridge Appellation Series 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, 92 Points
- Wild Diamond 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, 95 Points
- Wild Diamond 2016 Merlot, 94 Points
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 July Report from Dr. Gregory Jones.
Affiliate Sponsor: Pacific Gas & Electric
Emergency Load Reduction Program
It’s not too late. Enroll today.
Get compensated for reducing your energy use during times of high grid stress and emergencies. Participation is voluntary and there is no penalty for not participating. To learn more, visit: elrp.olivineinc.com
Affiliate Sponsor: Vineyard Industry Products
