Clear Lake AVA

Last updated

Clear Lake
Wine region
TTB Map Clear Lake AVA.png
Type American Viticultural Area
Year established1984 [1]
CountryUnited States
Part of Lake County
Other regions in Lake County Guenoc Valley AVA, Long Valley-Lake County AVA
Sub-regions Big Valley District-Lake County AVA, High Valley AVA, Kelsey Bench-Lake County AVA, Red Hills Lake County AVA, Upper Lake Valley AVA [2]
Climate region Region II-III [3]
Heat units 2,930-3,260 GDD [3]
Precipitation (annual average)37 in (940 mm) [1]
Soil conditionsBright-red volcanic, uniform sandy loam and clay loam soil [3] [4]
Total area168,960 acres (264 sq mi) [1]
Size of planted vineyards5,000 acres (2,000 ha) [5]
Grapes produced Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Muscat, Petite Sirah, Pinot gris, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier
No. of wineries13

Clear Lake is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located entirely within Lake County, California. It was established on June 7, 1984 by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by three of the grape-growers and winery owners located in an area surrounding the watershed of Clear Lake in southwestern Lake County proposing the viticultural area named "Clear Lake." [3]
The AVA is located between the Mayacamas Mountains to the southwest and the Mendocino National Forest to the northeast. It extends to the southeast to just north of the Guenoc Valley viticultural area also in Lake County. Clear Lake viticultural area lies entirely within the boundaries of a multi-county North Coast viticultural area. [1]
Half of viticultural area contains Clear Lake, the largest body of freshwater in the state of California, and the namesake for the county and town. Some localities that also use the name Clear Lake in their heritage are Clearlake Oaks, Clearlake Park, Clearlake Highlands and Clear Lake State Park. United States Geographical Survey maps document this information. [1]
The moderating influence of the lake on the surrounding area results in a climate with less diurnal variation in temperature than surrounding areas where elevations range from 1,300 feet (400 m) to well over 3,000 feet (910 m). [1] [5] Clear Lake AVA is one of the coolest climates in California, which has led to success with grape varietals like Sauvignon blanc.

Clear Lake with surrounding terrain Clear Lake.jpg
Clear Lake with surrounding terrain

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Clear Lake Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [T.D. ATF-174 RE. Notice No. 4901] Final rule). Federal Register . 49 (90). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 19466–19468. May 8, 1984.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. "Establishment of the Big Valley District-Lake County and Kelsey Bench-Lake County Viticultural Areas, and Modification of the Red Hills Lake County Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2013–0003; T.D. TTB–118; Ref: Notice No. 134] RIN 1513–AB99 Final Rule). Federal Register . 78 (191). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 60686–60690. October 2, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2020.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Jacks, Jess S. (December 20, 1982). "Petition for Establishment of Clear Lake Viticultural Area". TTB.gov. Chateau du Lac, Inc.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  4. "Clear Lake Wine". Wine-Searcher. Retrieved May 22, 2020. ...particularly in the sub-regions of High Valley and Red Hills Lake County
  5. 1 2 "Our Region". Lake County Winery Association. 2019. Archived from the original on February 19, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2020.

38°59′03″N122°36′57″W / 38.98419365°N 122.61590085°W / 38.98419365; -122.61590085