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Brassfield Estate Winery was the setting on September 11th for Day Two of Lake County CWA’s AgVenture program. Community leaders explored the many facets of the winegrape industry through a winery tour, informative presentations, and a curated wine-and-food-tasting lunch.
Hailey Finch, Brassfield’s general manager, led the class on a step-by-step tour from crushpad to fermentation to bottling. She also gave a sneak peek of the caves used for fermenting.
Jenny Keller, President, Lake County Winegrape Commission, gave an in-depth presentation on the scope of the winegrape industry in Lake County, which
encompasses over 11,000 acres (as of Fall 2025), provides over 1800 jobs, and contributes about $317 million to our economy. The LCWC promotes our region’s premium wine grapes and assists winegrape growers through marketing, research, and educational programs. She also detailed the
unique attributes of our climate, geology, and growing season that make our grapes attractive to buyers.
The first post-Prohibition wine grapes were planted in Lake County in the 1960s and were part of the broader North Coast American Viticulture Area (AVA). Since then, Lake County has gained nine individual AVAs, with two more in process and awaiting approval by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Terry Dereniuk has been instrumental in growing the number of the county’s AVAs; she described the application process and the distinctions in each area. She believes AVAs matter for the grower, the winery, and the consumer, and asked the compelling question: Do you consider the AVA when you buy/order wine? Half the room said yes!
California Farm Bureau Regional Manager Rebecca Harper and Lake County Farm Bureau Executive Director Serena Onate presented on Farm Bureau’s role in preserving and promoting agriculture at the federal, State, and local levels, the impacts of legislation, and the many ways to get involved in Lake County.
Greg Giusti, Forests and Wildland Ecology Advisor Emeritus, UC, has been studying Clear Lake for decades, and he dove deep into the lake’s unique
ecology. California’s largest natural lake, and considered the oldest lake in North America, is nutrient-rich, shallow-bodied, and never empties. Instead, the water turns in a bowl, completely circulating the entire lake in 100 days. He discussed land practices degrading the ecology around the lake from 100 years ago, including land erosion mainly from roads, failing septic systems, and mining, and what has happened since to mitigate.
The Lake County Winegrape Commission hosted a lunch catered by Rosey Cooks with views of Clear Lake and Mount Konocti, and Jonathan Walter, CEO of
Brassfield Estate Winery, led a tasting of four wines showing distinct Lake County flavors. Jonathan talked more about their vineyards, the wine market,
and their company’s growth during an industry downturn.
After lunch, Dr. Rich Brazil, Chairperson of Save Potter Valley Project, shared a local perspective of the negative impacts of removing Scott and Cape Horn
dams, which would drain Lake Pillsbury, on Lake County and its neighbors. For Lake County, these include: losing fire suppression water, loss of recreation area, and impacts on tax revenue, wildlife, groundwater, and potential hydroelectric power for the region. He appreciated partnering with the Lake County Board of Supervisors throughout this fight to save the dams.
Rebecca Harper wrapped the day moderating a panel discussion with Angie Shannon, proprietor of Shannon Family of Wines, and Jonathan Walters, CEO of
Brassfield Estate Winery. They discussed business models, the current market and harvest (light and early), and the regulatory costs in farming and wine
production.
Recurring theme throughout the day: Lake County delivers scenic beauty, low crowds, and varied microclimates, resulting in winemakers making wines with distinctive styles. It does not need comparison to its famous neighbors; it truly stands on its own.
The next AgVenture seminar will be in October, focusing on Lake County’s walnut industry.
