Crisp, aromatic, high-elevation Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County's flagship white. Updated for 2026.
If Cabernet is Lake County's signature red, Sauvignon Blanc is its flagship white, and for many it is the county's most distinctive wine. Lake County's clean mountain air, intense high-elevation sun, and cool nights are ideal for the variety, yielding Sauvignon Blancs that are crisp, aromatic, and vibrant, with bright citrus and grassy notes and a style that often leans closer to France's Loire Valley than to richer California versions. The county's winegrowers have championed the grape for decades, and tasting across its producers, from high mountain rims to the shores of Clear Lake, is one of the most rewarding, and refreshing, things to do in Lake County.
Below are the Lake County wineries we think make the most compelling Sauvignon Blanc, from a Sancerre-style high-elevation benchmark to organic and estate bottlings. These are a mix of walk-in and by-appointment tastings; reserve ahead where you can. Current as of October 2026.
Sancerre-style high-elevation white
Shannon Ridge's High Elevation Sauvignon Blanc, grown on the mountain rims of the High Valley, is a benchmark for the county, described by its winemaker as more Sancerre-style, redolent of grass and grapefruit with hints of stone fruit, poured at a hilltop tasting room with big views.
Good to know: Tastings; hilltop estate. Lakeport / High Valley.
Our tip: Try the High Elevation Sauvignon Blanc; crisp, Sancerre-leaning, and a county benchmark.
A longtime Sauvignon Blanc name
A longtime Kelseyville producer, Wildhurst has built its reputation on Lake County's flagship white, pouring crisp, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc (across its Wildhurst and Mackinaw labels) in a friendly tasting room, a classic, approachable stop for the varietal.
Good to know: Tastings; tasting room. Kelseyville.
Our tip: Try the Sauvignon Blanc; a longtime, approachable Lake County name for the grape.
High Valley estate Sauvignon Blanc
A large, scenic High Valley estate near Clearlake Oaks, Brassfield grows and pours estate Sauvignon Blanc among its broad range, offered with sweeping vineyard views, a welcoming destination for the county's flagship white.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Clearlake Oaks / High Valley.
Our tip: Sip the estate Sauvignon Blanc with High Valley views; scenic and welcoming.
Organic Sauvignon Blanc and olive oil
A Kelseyville estate farming organically, Chacewater makes a well-regarded Organic Sauvignon Blanc and pairs its wines with its own award-winning estate olive oils, a fun, farm-driven stop to taste the flagship white alongside estate oil.
Good to know: Tastings; winery and olive mill. Kelseyville.
Our tip: Taste the Organic Sauvignon Blanc with the estate olive oils; a farm-driven highlight.
Crisp whites from a respected vintner
A respected longtime winemaker in the county's renaissance, Gregory Graham makes crisp, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc (alongside Viognier, Chardonnay, and his Red Hills reds) at his small Lower Lake estate, a quality-minded, personal stop for the varietal.
Good to know: Tastings; small estate. Lower Lake.
Our tip: Try the Sauvignon Blanc and the other whites; crisp and quality-minded.
Estate-grown ranch Sauvignon Blanc
The sprawling Six Sigma ranch grows and makes estate Sauvignon Blanc (its Michael's Reserve and other bottlings have drawn strong reviews) alongside its reds, offered with vineyard tours, a genuine ranch-to-glass take on the county's flagship white.
Good to know: Tastings and ranch tours; estate. Lower Lake.
Our tip: Pair the estate Sauvignon Blanc with a ranch tour; a scenic, rural experience.
Lake County's Sauvignon Blanc producers are spread around Clear Lake. Several, including Wildhurst, Chacewater, Gregory Graham, and Six Sigma, cluster on the southwest side around Kelseyville and Lower Lake, while Shannon Ridge and Brassfield grow on the High Valley rims to the northeast. Base yourself around the lake, pick a cluster, and plan three or four stops. Sauvignon Blanc is best enjoyed crisp and cool, so taste the whites earlier in the day when it is cooler, and pair with the region's fresh, sunny character. The county is high, warm by day and cool at night, and rural, so bring a layer, allow drive time, and book the small or appointment-only estates ahead.
Do not overlook Lake County as a white-wine region; Sauvignon Blanc is its flagship and genuinely distinctive. Do not expect rich, tropical styles everywhere, many Lake County Sauvignon Blancs lean crisp and Loire-like, which is the appeal. And do not forget the county is rural and spread around a big lake, so plan a route and allow plenty of drive time between the stops.
What white wine is Lake County known for?
Sauvignon Blanc, the county's flagship white. Lake County's clean mountain air, intense high-elevation sun, and cool nights suit the variety, producing crisp, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc with bright citrus and grassy notes, often in a style closer to France's Loire Valley than to richer California versions. Growers here have championed the grape for decades.
Which Lake County wineries are best for Sauvignon Blanc?
Standouts include Shannon Ridge (whose Sancerre-style High Elevation bottling is a benchmark), the longtime Wildhurst, the scenic High Valley estate Brassfield, the organic Chacewater (which also makes estate olive oil), the respected Gregory Graham, and the working-ranch Six Sigma, all makers of the county's flagship white.
What style is Lake County Sauvignon Blanc?
Typically crisp, aromatic, and vibrant, with bright citrus, grassy, and sometimes stone-fruit notes. Thanks to the high elevation and cool nights, many Lake County Sauvignon Blancs lean toward a leaner, more mineral, Loire-like (Sancerre) style rather than the richer, more tropical versions found in warmer regions, though individual producers vary.
Is Sauvignon Blanc really Lake County's flagship wine?
Yes, the county itself calls Sauvignon Blanc its flagship varietal, and it has a long history with the grape. While Cabernet Sauvignon is the most planted variety, Sauvignon Blanc is the wine most associated with Lake County's identity, prized for the crisp, aromatic character that the high-elevation, clean-air climate brings out.
Where should I taste Lake County Sauvignon Blanc?
Around Clear Lake. Several producers, including Wildhurst, Chacewater, Gregory Graham, and Six Sigma, are on the southwest side near Kelseyville and Lower Lake, while Shannon Ridge and Brassfield grow on the High Valley rims to the northeast. Pick a cluster, taste the whites earlier in the day when it is cool, and book small or appointment-only estates ahead.
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