Clear Lake AVA
Clear Lake is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Lake County, California. It was established on June 7, 1984 by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by three of the grape-growers and winery owners located in an area surrounding the watershed of Clear Lake in southwestern Lake County. The petition requested the viticultural area to be named "Clear Lake."
| Wine region | |
Clear Lake with surrounding terrain. | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1984 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, Lake County, North Coast AVA |
| Other regions in California, Lake County, North Coast AVA | Benmore Valley AVA, Guenoc Valley AVA |
| Sub-regions | High Valley AVA, Big Valley District-Lake County AVA, Kelsey Bench-Lake County AVA, Red Hills Lake County AVA |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 37 inches (940 mm) |
| Total area | 219,000 acres (88,626 ha) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 5,000 acres (2,023 ha) |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo |
| No. of wineries | 13 |
Half of the area contained within the viticultural area boundaries is Clear Lake, the largest body of freshwater in the state of California, and the namesake for the county. The moderating influence of the lake on the surrounding area results in a climate with less diurnal variation in temperature than surrounding areas. Elevations range from 1,300 feet (396 m) to well over 3,000 feet (914 m). Clear Lake AVA is one of the coolest climates in California, which has led to success with grape varietals like Sauvignon blanc.