October 2025 Newsletter

In This Issue…

REMINDER: Lake County Wine Summit, November 1
REMINDER: Vineyard Mothballing Presentation, December 2
AgVenture Tours Lake County Wine Industry
Recap: Kelseyville Pear Festival
Grower Spotlight: Zoller Vineyards
Volcanic Wine Awards
Grape & Wine Marketplace
Weather & Climate Report
Affiliate Sponsor: Wine Industry Network
Affiliate Sponsor: PG&E
Affiliate Sponsor: Vineyard Industry Products

REMINDER: Lake County Wine Summit, November 13

November 13, 2025

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Soper Reese Theater
275 S. Main St., Lakeport

Join us for an engaging afternoon that brings together growers, winemakers, and industry professionals to explore what makes Lake County winegrapes truly distinctive. Through guided tastings, insightful discussions, and expert-led panels, this event will highlight the character, variety, and innovation that define our region.

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.

Speakers include:

Eugenio Figueroa — Atlas Vineyard Management
David Weiss — Bella Vista Farming
Jonathan Walters — Brassfield Estate
Scott Kirkpatrick — Dancing Crow Vineyards
Kristin Belair — Honig Vineyard & Winery
Bryan Parker — Langtry Farms
Pilar Luchsinger White — Luchsinger Vineyards
Alex Beloz — Obsidian Wine Co.
Pietro Buttitta — Prima Materia
Dave Rosenthal — R Vineyards
Clay Shannon — Shannon Family of Wines
Jeronimo Da Valle — Shannon Family of Wines
Joy Merrilees — Shannon Family of Wines
Katie Nydell — VinLuxe Wine Consulting
Bruce Regalia — Wild Diamond Vineyards

No fee to attend, but seating is limited.

Premium Seating | Includes technical tasting

Balcony Seating | No technical tasting

REMINDER: Vineyard Mothballing Presentation, December 2

News from UCCE

UC Cooperative Extension’s Christopher Chen, Ph.D., has developed helpful resources on strategies for mothballing and grafting, and will present at the LCWC office (3865 Main Street, Kelseyville) on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Space is limited, so please RSVP to events@lakecountywinegrape.org to reserve your seat.

AgVenture Focuses on Lake County’s Winegrape Industry

On September 12, fourteen community leaders in this year’s AgVenture class spent the day learning about the many facets of the winegrape industry through tours, tastings, and expert presentations.

Program Highlights:

Kendall-Jackson Winery Tour:
- Visited the original winery founded by Jess Jackson in 1982
- Observed freshly harvested Sauvignon Blanc grapes being pressed
- Tasted juice at various fermentation stages
- Winemaker Fritz Meier led a tasting of finished Sauvignon Blanc wines
Lake County AVAs:
- Terry Dereniuk discussed the creation of Lake County’s nine AVAs and their distinct characteristics
Vineyard Visit – Beckstoffer Vineyards Red Hills, Crimson Ridge:
- Pedro Rubio and Robert Chavez spoke on current vineyard practices, market challenges, and technology improving water use efficiency
Lunch & Wine Pairing:
- Hosted by LCWC and catered by Rosey Cooks
- Dave Rosenthal, winemaker for R Vineyards and Yokayo Wine Company, led a tasting of three Lake County wines paired with local dishes
Afternoon Presentations:
- Rebecca Harper, Lake County Farm Bureau, explained “captured water use” and agriculture’s small share of overall water consumption
- Greg Giusti, UC Cooperative Extension, Emeritus, shared insights on Clear Lake’s ecology and native fish populations
- Megan Hoberg, LCWC, outlined the Commission’s work
Industry Panel Discussion:
- Moderated by Monica Rosenthal, R Vineyards, with panelists Raven Sprague, Bruce Regalia, Angie Shannon, and Jonathan Walters discussed trends and opportunities in the Lake County wine industry

Kelseyville Pear Festival Recap

On September 27, 2025, the Lake County Winegrape Commission participated in the Kelseyville Pear Festival, hosting a complimentary grape tasting in partnership with UCCE.

Chris Chen did an excellent job leading the tasting, sharing information about each grape, and engaging visitors who stopped by. He was joined by LCWC Board Member Pilar Luchsinger White and Marketing and Events Manager Megan Hoberg, who helped answer questions and provided materials about Lake County winegrapes.

Grower Spotlight: Zoller Vineyards

Photo credit: Karen Pavone

You could say agriculture is in Broc Zoller’s roots.

His father’s career as an agricultural commissioner took the family from Santa Clara County to Siskiyou County and eventually to Las Vegas, Nevada, during Broc’s formative years. Following in those footsteps, Broc set his sights on attending UC Davis, where he studied plant pathology and earned his bachelor’s degree.

Intent on earning a PhD, he continued his advanced studies at Davis after graduation, but a military draft notice temporarily derailed his plans.

After a two-year tour in Washington, D.C., where he served in the Army Chemical Corps/Biological Warfare Division, Broc returned to California to resume his PhD program at UC Davis. There, he met Sharron, a bright undergraduate majoring in Consumer Science and English, who soon caught his eye. Romance blossomed, and the college sweethearts married after graduation.

Marketplace

In the market for bulk wine?

Visit the Marketplace page of the LCWC website for a list of Lake County bulk wine, grapes, and vines available for sale.

Weather & Climate

View October Report from Dr. Gregory Jones.

Affiliate Sponsor: Wine Industry Network

Register for the 13th Annual North Coast Wine Industry Trade Show & Conference (WIN Expo), to be held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, CA, on Thursday, December 4, 2025. WIN Expo is the largest trade show and conference focused exclusively on the Lake, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma wine regions. The event is set to include nearly 300 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and services as well as outdoor exhibits, trial tastings on the trade show floor, and a robust educational conference. Network with colleagues, foster new connections, celebrate the achievements of the past year, and prepare for success in 2025!

Affiliate Sponsor: Pacific Gas & Electric

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