Big Valley District-Lake County AVA

Big Valley District-Lake County AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2013
CountryUnited States
Part ofLake County, Clear Lake AVA
Other regions in Lake County, Clear Lake AVAClear Lake AVA, Guenoc Valley AVA, High Valley AVA, Kelsey Bench-Lake County AVA, Long Valley-Lake County AVA, Red Hills Lake County AVA, Upper Lake Valley AVA
Soil conditionsClay and still loam
Total area11,000 acres (4,452 ha)
Size of planted vineyards1,800 acres (728 ha)
No. of vineyards43
Varietals producedCabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Viognier, Zinfandel
No. of wineries6

Big Valley District-Lake County is an American Viticultural Area located in Lake County, California. There were 6 wineries within the viticultural area, as well as 43 commercially-producing vineyards covering approximately 1,800 acres (728 ha) when officially established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in October 2013 alongside the adjacent Kelsey Bench AVA.

Big Valley District is in a large valley near Clear Lake, the Mayacamas mountain range, and the Mount Konocti volcano. The AVA is in the less hilly area near Kelseyville; the hillier areas are part of the Kelsey Bench. Big Valley is a structural basin that is part of the larger Clear Lake basin.

Sauvignon blanc makes up the majority of the region's plantings in addition to Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc.