Shannon Family of Wines explained

Winery Name:Shannon Family of Wines
Location City:Lakeport, California
Location Country:US
Coordinates:38.9928°N -122.8747°W
Appellation:North Coast AVA
Other Labels:Clay Shannon, Ovis, Buck Shack, Steele, Giannecchini, Cricket Farms, High Valley
Cases Per Year:280,000 (2023)[1]
Varietal1:Cabernet Sauvignon
Varietal2:Sauvignon blanc
Varietal3:Zinfandel
Varietal4:Chardonnay
Varietal5:Petite Sirah
Varietal6:Cabernet Franc
Varietal7:Pinot noir
Varietal8:Cinsault
Other Product1:Lamb meat
Other Product2:olive oil
Distribution:United States, Canada
Tasting:The Mercantile (Lakeport, California)

Shannon Family of Wines is a is a family-owned and operated vineyard, winery and ranching operation in Lake County, California. It produces wine under various labels, notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Sauvignon blanc and red blends made from Lake County grapes and neighboring counties in the North Coast AVA. Most of its labels fall under the super-premium, ultra-premium and luxury wine segments.

The operation was founded in 2001 as Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery by Clay Shannon (who worked for Sutter Home Winery from 1985 to 1993),[2]), and produced wines from Lake County vineyards under the Shannon Ridge and Cross Springs labels. The winery added a new brand when in 2010 it opened its Vigilance Winery & Vineyard tasting room on one of its Red Hills Lake County AVA vineyards in Lower Lake, California.[3]

In 2018, Shannon Ridge Family of Wines purchased Nice Wine Co., located in Nice, California, expanding its winemaking and bottling capacity.[4] In 2020, the company acquired Steele Wines, another Lake County winery, which Shannon had been using as a custom crush facility.[5] Steele Wines had been founded in 1991 by Jed Steele, the original winemaker for Kendall-Jackson. Shannon still produces wines under the Steele brand. That same year, the winery acquired the Giannecchini Vineyard in the Talmage Bench AVA of Mendocino County.

In December 2021, Shannon Family of Wines opened The Mercantile, a wine bar, gourmet food retail and event venue at the original Steele winery location in Lakeport, California.[6]

The company was a key petitioner in the process to get Long Valley, in eastern Lake County, recognized as an American Viticultural Area in April 2023.[7]

The operation's 1,000 acre mountain vineyard in the High Valley AVA is certified organic, making use of its sheep flock for weeding and pest control.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Episode 219 - Joy Merrilees, Shannon Family of Wines. Wine Country Women. Michelle Mandro. 12 June 2024.
  2. News: Winemaker of the Month: Clay Shannon. Wine Business Monthly. 15 November 2010.
  3. News: Vigilance Winery & Vineyards celebrates Saturday grand opening. Lake County News. 30 October 2010.
  4. News: Shannon Ridge Family of Wines purchases Nice Wine Co.. Lake County News. 18 June 2018.
  5. News: Lake County's Steele Wines purchased by Shannon Ridge winery in major deal. 23 August 2020. San Francisco Chronicle.
  6. News: Shannon Family of Wines to open new Kelseyville location next month. 26 November 2021. Press Democrat.
  7. News: In the Shadow of Mt. Konocti, California’s Newest AVA. Wine Enthusiast. 19 February 2024.