Guenoc AVA
With the establishment of the Guenoc Valley AVA on December 21, 1981, Langtry Estate & Vineyards became the first producer in the nation with its own appellation. This is a fitting arrangement for the winery as the serpentine soils throughout the region contribute to a terroir that works exceptionally well with Petite Sirah, Langtry's signature red varietal. Far from a lonely existence, Langtry's exclusive status sets it apart from other wineries and holds the secret to the success Langtry has enjoyed with its wines. With hundreds of acres of vineyards, Langtry Estates has a wealth of resources for distinctive, world-class wines.
Due to the isolated topography, Lake County has resisted many of the encroachments of civilization. Mount St. Helena forms the southern boundary; Bear Mountains on the east, Mayacamas on the west, Hull Mountain, and San Hedron ridge to the north. The county was officially created in 1861, and was formed from land appropriated from both Napa and Mendocino Counties. Originally a Spanish land grant, Salvador Vallejo brought cattle in 1839. The first wagon trains of settlers started arriving in 1854. Among these were fearless pioneers who first brought viticulture to the region. By 1900, Lake County wines were winning awards in international competition, and the region was earning a reputation for producing some of the world's greatest wines. Langtry Estate and Vineyards has the distinction of being both the oldest and largest winegrower in Lake County.
Located 90 miles north of San Francisco and just over the hills from Calistoga and the Napa Valley, the Guenoc Valley sits at a high elevation in southern Lake County, ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet above sea level. The clear, warm days and cool nights favor a number of important grape varieties, and Langtry's rocky, alluvial soils combine to set the appellation apart from any other in California. Langtry Estate & Vineyards currently farms nearly 300 acres of vineyards in the 4,396-acre Guenoc Valley appellation, while additional acreage is planted high up on the prized Tephra Ridge vineyard, overlooking the Guenoc Valley. Petite Sirah is the leading red grape grown by Langtry, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Among whites, Langtry grows Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Marsanne and Viognier. Langtry Estate & Vineyards 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.