Big Valley District-Lake County AVA
Big Valley District-Lake County AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Lake County, California. There was 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.
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2013 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, North Coast AVA, Lake County, Clear Lake AVA |
| Other regions in California, North Coast AVA, Lake County, Clear Lake AVA | Kelsey Bench-Lake County AVA |
| Soil conditions | Clay and still loam |
| Total area | 11,000 acres (4,452 ha) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 1,800 acres (728 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 43 |
| Varietals produced | Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel and Merlot |
| No. of wineries | 6 |
Big Valley District is in a large valley near Clear Lake, the Mayacamas mountain range, and the dormant Mount Konocti volcano. The AVA is in the less hilly area near Kelseyville; the hillier areas are part of the Kelsey Bench AVA. Big Valley is a structural basin that is part of the larger Clear Lake basin.
Sauvignon Blanc grape variety makes up the majority of the region's plantings in addition to producing Zinfandels and Cabernet Francs.