June 2020 Newsletter
A Note from Commission President
Amid the abundant sunshine and bright blue skies of late spring, Lake County vines are showing off – with promise of another beautiful crop.
We encourage you to register to attend Momentum 2020 this Thursday – an abbreviated and virtual version of our annual industry event – to get the latest insights on current market conditions.
Read on for details about an upcoming industry-hosted webinar about the threat posed to vineyards by the invasive Spotted Lanternfly.
And check out our COVID-19 resources page for links to new videos by Cal/OSHA on infection prevention for farmworkers in both English and in Spanish.
Take care,
Debra Sommerfield
In this Issue…
Reminder: Register for Momentum 2020
Webinar: Spotted Lanternfly – A Threat to California Winegrapes
Updated COVID-19 Resources
Virtual Tasting Attracts Fans of Sauvignon Blanc
Lake County Wines in the News
JSC Ag Supply Is Now Stocking Masks and Hand Sanitizer
New LCWC Sponsor: Beach Cities Solar Consulting
New LCWC Sponsor: The Ripe Choice Farm & Catering
Wine & Grape Marketplace
Weather & Climate Report
Reminder: Register for Momentum 2020
Momentum 2020 has been rescheduled and will now be a virtual event designed to provide valuable insight into current market conditions.
Date: Thursday, June 11, 2020
Time: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Location: Online via Zoom
Fee: None
Sign up today. Attendance is limited. Advanced registration is required.
The program includes:
- Panel Discussion: The state of the wine industry with Glenn Proctor, Ciatti Global Wine & Grape Brokers, and Jeff Bitter, Allied Grape Growers
- Keynote: Market observations and insights with Clay Shannon, Shannon Ridge Family of Wines
Register Today
https://bit.ly/momentum2020reg
Webinar: Spotted Lanternfly – A Threat to California Winegrapes
Join CAWG, Wine Institute, and Family Winemakers of California for a webinar on Thursday, June 11 at 10:00 AM, where CDFA will provide an overview of efforts in California to deal with the threat of spotted lanternfly (SLF), including detection, regulatory possibilities, and how growers can be on the lookout for this invasive pest. Register here.
The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect from Asia that was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014. SLF can decimate entire grape vineyards and damage fruit orchards, hops, walnuts, hardwoods, and landscape trees. While SLF has not yet reached California, officials at CDFA are already engaged, and the Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board has designated SLF as a threat to California winegrapes.
Updated COVID-19 Resources
As the understanding of COVID-19 evolves, so does the guidance for agricultural employers. Please visit the COVID-19 resources page on the LCWC website for links to programs, protocols, suppliers, and best practices useful to safeguard our workforce.
Virtual Tasting Attracts Fans of Sauvignon Blanc
On May 8, 2020, the Winegrape Commission presented a virtual tasting of Lake County Sauvignon Blanc. The event offered attendees the opportunity to learn about three of the region’s wines from the producers who crafted them.
Three Lake County producers led viewers through an interactive tasting of Sauvignon Blancs and shared insights for why Lake County is an ideal location to grow this varietal:
- Shannon Ridge High Elevation Sauvignon Blanc 2018, presented by Joy Merrilees, Director of Winemaking and Production
- Dancing Crow Vineyards 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, presented by Adam Forni, Co-owner
- Chacewater Winery 2018 Organic Sauvignon Blanc, presented by Derek Holstein, Consulting Winemaker
The seminar also featured a comprehensive list of producers of Lake County Sauvignon Blanc wines.
If you missed the event, check out the recording of the virtual tasting on the Lake County Winegrape Commission website.
Or you can listen to it on the Vine Line podcast.
Additional resources:
- Tech sheet with details about each of the three featured wines
- List of Lake County Sauvignon Blanc producers
Lake County Wines in the News
Luchsinger Vineyards Featured in New York Times Wine Rosé Recommendations
It’s almost summer, and that means time for Rosé. Eric Asimov, wine critic for the New York Times, chose three Rosés to recommend, including Arnot-Roberts California Rosé Touriga Nacional 2019.
The wine is made from port grapes, mostly Touriga Nacional with some Tinta Cão, grown by Luchsinger Vineyards in Lake County. Asimov writes that the winemaker, Arnot-Roberts, is “one of the best of the new wave of California producers.”
Read the full New York Times article.
Lake County Wineries Included in New “Slow Wine” Guide
Three Lake County Wineries are featured this year in the 2020 Slow Wine Guide, including Beaver Creek Vineyards, Hawk and Horse Vineyards, and Prima Materia.
In selecting which wineries to include, the editors of Slow Wine consider the quality of the wine, the wineries’ sustainable farming practices, and the winemakers’ “Slowphilosophy.”
According to Deborah Parker Wong, National Editor for the Slow Wine Guide US, Slow Wine selects wineries that respect and reflect their local terroir and practice sustainable methods that benefit the environment.
Learn more about the Slow Wine movement. Download the 2020 Slow Wine guide.*
* Please note: The 2020 Slow Wine guide can be viewed on a Mac; to view it on any other PC, you may need to first download Adobe Digital Edition (free).
High-Scoring Wines
Congratulations to these Lake County wines, which Wine Enthusiast recently scored 90 points or better:
- Shooting Star 2017 Merlot (Lake County): 90 Points, Best Buy
- Sol Rouge 2015 Cabernet Franc (Red Hills): 92 Points
- Sol Rouge 2015 The Keep Red (Red Hills): 93 Points, Cellar Selection
- Sol Rouge 2016 Cinsault (Red Hills): 94 Points, Editors’ Choice
- Sol Rouge 2016 Mourvèdre (Red Hills): 94 Points
- Sol Rouge 2016 Syrah (Red Hills): 93 Points
- Sottomarino 2015 Primitivo (Lake County): 92 Points
- Steele 2016 Stymie Founder’s Reserve Merlot (Lake County): 93 Points, Editors’ Choice
- Vie Winery 2015 Wynonna’s Vineyard Syrah (Lake County): 92 Points
Affiliate Sponsor
JSC Ag Supply Is Now Stocking Masks and Hand Sanitizer
JSC Ag Supply is selling disposable multi-layered masks and hand sanitizer. These supplies can be purchased through JSC’s online store.
Growers can also contact their local sales rep at 707-483-1974 or 707-293-9552 to place an order.
Affiliate Sponsor
New LCWC Sponsor: Beach Cities Solar Consulting
As a solar energy consultant for Beach Cities Solar Consulting, Mark Lipps provides homeowners and business owners with expert advice to save them hundreds of dollars a month by installing premium solar products customized to each customer’s needs. Mark advises which panels and which installer to use, and he acts as the liaison from start to finish to ensure customers are completely satisfied.
Beach Cities Solar Consulting is competitive with all other solar installers because the company is virtual – no overhead with major marketing efforts and corporate offices. The company works to get customers a customized, cost-efficient buildout for their needs.
Affiliate Sponsor
New LCWC Sponsor: The Ripe Choice Farm & Catering
The Ripe Choice was created by Tammy Lipps, a professionally trained chef with a passion for re-imagining the experience of food.
The full-service catering boutique serves deliciously fresh food. Recipes include time-tested favorites as well as new flavor profiles created specifically for your event. They strive to transform fresh, farm-grown, and locally sourced ingredients into amazingly delicious food.
The result is a very personal reflection of your palate, sophistication, and regard for your guests.
Their passion for one-on-one collaboration makes every event unique and instantly memorable. They’ve helped create everything from beautiful weddings to high-impact events for the entertainment industry.
Catering services include:
- Private parties – on or off-premises
- Cooking classes
- Grand openings
- Corporate events or meetings
- Wine tasting dinners
- Personal chef services
- Weddings and special celebrations
Contact Tammy at The Ripe Choice.
Grape & Wine Marketplace
For the full listing of Lake County grapes and bulk wine for sale, visit the Marketplace page of the LCWC web site.
Grapes for Sale
- 30 tons of 2020 Cabernet Franc, Red Hills AVA, Robertsbridge Vineyards. Contact Craig Shannon at 707-349-7892 or deerhntr1963@hotmail.com
- 15 tons of 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Clear Lake AVA, Red Horse Ranch. Hand-picked, small lots available. Contact Ron Ryskalczyk at 707-295-6400 or ronryskalczyk@gmail.com
- 80 tons of 2020 Pinot Noir, Big Valley AVA. Lyon Ranch, Clone 32. Contact Jaime Rosas at 707-262-2899
- 16 – 20 tons of 2020 Riesling, Big Valley AVA. Certified Sustainable. Contact Rhonda Wallace at wildwestwinery@att.net
Weather & Climate
“The June through August seasonal forecast for the western US continues to point to the likelihood of warmer than average conditions into the heart of summer. The overall precipitation outlook continues the drier than average conditions for much of the PNW and northern California, and near average elsewhere in the west…”
Download the June weather report (PDF) from Dr. Gregory Jones.