In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Lake County this year, Lake County News is publishing a series of historical stories about the county, its people and places. In this week's story, the focus is the county's long history of winegrape growing and winemaking.
Friday, May 20, 2011, marked Lake County’s sesquicentennial anniversary – 150 years since its establishment as a California county.
Lake County has a long history of fascinating stories – stories of a pioneering spirit and entrepreneurship, of agriculture traditions and preservation, of heroes and visionaries, and of a thriving pre-Prohibition wine industry.
In 1884, Lake County boasted 600 acres of wine grapes. Vineyards were established by notable arrivals to the county such as Seranus C. Hastings, founder of Hastings Law School, and Lillie Langtry, a colorful theater star in Europe and America.
Lillie Langtry, purchased the Langtry property in the Guenoc Valley in 1888. The property’s wine history dates back to 1854 when grapes were first planted at the site.
The famed actress claimed that the property would produce the “greatest claret in the country,” and she proceeded to produce the finest Bordeaux wines in the region.
Rumor has it that one of California’s oldest vines continues to grow on the Langtry Estate at the top of Tephra Ridge. It is thought to be part of Mrs. Langtry’s original vineyard.
Professor Ohmo of UC Davis, one of the world’s experts on viticulture – now deceased – came across the vine some years ago, smiled and said, “This is one of the oldest vines in California and I think it is a Syrah.”
Being a lady of the theater from the city and thereby a landlady in absentia of the Langtry Estate, Mrs. Langtry sold the property in 1906 just after the “big one,” the massive earthquake that devastated San Francisco.
The Lillie Langtry House still stands today, overlooking the property and welcoming guest to its door. Built in 1874, this two-story Folk Victorian has been restored and is often a place of hospitality for visitors to the Langtry Estate.
To commemorate the 150-year anniversary of Lake County, the Lillie Langtry House will be open for tours, when it is not housing the guests of the estate now owned by Malulani Investments, which acquired the 22,000 acre property in 1963. Contact Langtry Estate & Vineyards at www.langtryestate.com or 707-987-2385 for more tour information.
On Saturday, Nov. 5, the Lake County Winery Association will host the People’s Choice Wine Awards at Langtry Estate and Vineyard from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. This event is the premier consumer wine competition event showcasing the finest Lake County wines. It is a fun and informative blind tasting where the ‘people’ determine the final winners of the competition.
In honor of Lake County’s Sesquicentennial celebration, the People’s Choice Wine Awards will include tours of the Langtry home.
Other Lake County wineries offering a glimpse into their fascinating history and agricultural traditions include the following.
Six Sigma Ranch, Vineyard and Winery will offer a one-hour Pinzgauer historical tour of the ranch and homesteads. For time, cost, and reservations contact Six Sigma Ranch at www.sixsigmaranch.com or 707-994-4068.
Brassfield Estate Winery invites you to visit the original 150-year-old farmhouse at the Brassfield High Serenity Ranch. To schedule a self-guided tour, contact Brassfield Estate at www.brasfieldestate.com or 707-998-1895.
The owners of Wildhurst Vineyard, Marilyn and Myron Holdenried, have a wealth of historical information to share with anyone who asks. Stop by the Wildhurst tasting room in Kelseyville for 150th celebration tidbits. www.wildhurst.com or 707-279-4302.
The Lake County Winery Association (LCWA) is proud to support and participate in Lake County’s 150th Sesquicentennial Celebration.
The Lake County Wine Adventure, the winery association’s annual signature event, is scheduled for July 30-31 and will proudly feature the 150th logo on the event’s recyclable four-bottle wine bags.
The Lake County Winery Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 by a dozen wineries. Today, LCWA serves over 40 vintners and associate members who share a mission to promote awareness of Lake County’s excellent wine industry, high elevation wines and tourism opportunities.
Through partnerships with the County of Lake, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Lake County Winegrape Commission, Lake County Farm Bureau, and others, LCWA strives to promote the County’s unique and distinct rural attributes – our lake, our mountain, our air, and our land. LCWA is committed to sustainable farming and winery operation practices and is committed to our community and its members.
To learn more about LCWA, visit www.lakecountywineries.org or call 707-355-2762.
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