Guenoc Valley AVA

Infobox Wine Region
name = Guenoc Valley AVA


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type = American Viticultural Area
year = 1981 [http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=bff700d0bbb2a632948b70fe7e91d7d4;rgn=div5;view=text;node=27%3A1.0.1.1.7;idno=27;cc=ecfr#27:1.0.1.1.7.3.41.6 Code of Federal Regulations. "§ 9.26 Guenoc Valley."] Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas. Retrieved Jan. 21, 2008.]
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country = USA
part of = California, Lake County, North Coast AVA
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climate region = III
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planted = convert|340|acre|ha|-1Appellation America (2007). [http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Guenoc-Valley.html "Guenoc Valley (AVA): Appellation Description"] . Retrieved Jan. 21, 2008.]
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grapes = Petite Sirah
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The Guenoc Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area in Lake County, California, USA, about convert|15|mi|km|0|abbr=on north of the town of Calistoga. Guenoc Valley AVA was the first American Viticultural Area designaion granted to an area with just a single winery.Langtry Estate (2008). [http://www.langtryestate.com/index.cfm?method=pages.showPage&pageid=daf75359-b282-4d9a-9b84-d94a0a3af2ac "Guenoc Valley AVA"] . Retrieved Jan. 21, 2008.]

Guenoc Valley is a small inland valley comprising an alluvial fan of Arroyo Seco and Conejo Loam series soils isolated from surrounding areas by rocky ridges. Its geographical location also affects the climate. Guenoc Valley has slightly less rainfall than the nearby Middletown area. Guenoc Valley receives approximately convert|45|in|cm|0 to convert|50|in|cm|0 of rain per year, while Middletown receives approximately convert|60|in|cm|0|abbr=on per year. Guenoc Valley also experiences slightly greater seasonal temperature extremes, being warmer in the summer and colder in the winter. Also, due to the surrounding ridges, fog is generally less severe than in Middletown. For these reasons, the United States Department of the Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau determined that Guenoc Valley possesses geographical features which distinguish the area viticulturally.

History

Guenoc Valley has a long tradition of viticulture and wine production. In 1888, Victorian actress Lillie Langtry established a wine estate in the Guenoc Valley, at the southern end of the county in the 1800s. It wasn't until the late 1960s and the 1970s that farmers who wanted to diversify started planting grapes again, mostly in nearby Big Valley.Daniel, Laurie. [http://www.lakecountywinegrape.org/newsroom/mercnews.shtml "Lake County Wines Making Names for Themselves"] . Lake County Winegrape Growers. Retrieved Jan. 21, 2008.]

On the site of Lillie Langtry's old estate, Guenoc and Langtry Estate Vineyards was revived by the Magoon family at about the same time. Longtime winery president Orville Magoon sold his interest in the company in 2003 and retired to San Francisco. The winery and the convert|21000|acre|ha|-2|abbr=on it sits on is owned by Malulani Investments Ltd., a real estate group that since 1964 has been the only shareholder and stockholder of Guenoc.Wine Business Insider (2006). [http://www.winebusiness.com/ReferenceLibrary/webarticle.cfm?dataId=44486 "All Hands on Deck at Langtry Estate"] . Sep. 5, 2006.]

Climate

Guenoc Valley is a small inland valley of about convert|23000|acre|ha|-2|abbr=on, extending from upper Napa County. The wine appellation is defined by the rocky ridge surrounding it and is entirely contained within the boundaries of Lake County. The Guenoc vineyards sit at convert|400|ft|m|-1|abbr=on elevation. These vineyards are the first in the area to be harvested, as extremely hot days are common and over-ripening is a concern. The area also has very cool nights, preserving acidity and producing rich wines with elegant structure, making it a Climate Region III.

Viniculture

There are now convert|340|acre|ha|-1|abbr=on of vines surrounding the Guenoc estate. The winery works with Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, as well as Malbec and Petite Syrah from the estate vineyards. Petite Sirah is the leading red grape in the appellation, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Among whites, Langtry grows Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Marsanne and Viognier. Langtry also has the distinction of having some of the oldest vines in California, as a couple of Syrah vines dating back to the 1850s still grow at the Tephra Ridge Vineyard.

References

Further reading

*Magoon, G. S. (1976). [http://worldcatlibraries.org/oclc/2524542&referer=brief_results# The story of Guenoc Ranch, Lake and Napa Counties, California] . Honolulu?: Magoon
*Case, S. D. (1982). [http://worldcatlibraries.org/oclc/9980713&referer=brief_results# Join me in paradise: the history of Guenoc Valley] . Middletown, Calif: Guenoc Winery.
*Denton, W. (1857). [http://worldcatlibraries.org/oclc/26880423&referer=brief_results# Map of the Guenoc Rancho, Calif.: finally confirmed to A.A. Ritchie & P.S. Forbes] .
*McNary, M. J. D. (187-?] ). [http://worldcatlibraries.org/oclc/26880416&referer=brief_results# Map of the northern part of Guenoc Rancho: Lake County, California] . California: s.n.
*Gerson, N. B. (1971). [http://worldcatlibraries.org/oclc/151142&referer=brief_results# Because I loved him; the life and loves of Lillie Langtry] . New York: Morrow.

ee also

* California wine