Participating Wineries

Trinity County and nearby areas are becoming known for great wines. Join us on July 23 and experience some of the best wines in Northern California.

We thank the following wineries for participating in the 2011 Trinity Lake Fest and for their support our rural community:

Alpen Cellars - Returning
Burnsini Vineyards- new
Butter Creek Vineyards - new
Dogwood Estate Winery - Returning
Lassen Peak Winery- new
Meredith Family Vineyard - Returning
Mount Tehama Winery - Returning
One Maple Winery- Returning
R.Merlo Estate Vineyard - new

Alpen Cellars

Address: 2000 East Fork Road, Trinity Center, CA
Phone: 530.266.9512
E-Mail: winemaker@alpencellars.com
Website: alpencellars.com
Article: Company overview by Shasta-Cascade Viticulture Association
TV ad video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n-LtmCE468

The Winery:
Located in a picturesque creek valley just east of Trinity Lake, this winery can be an adventure to find, but the beauty of the area is well worth the trip. The mountains around the estate are rugged, but breathtaking. This location is what gives their grapes, and eventually their wines, a flavor profile unique to this corner of the state. An interesting twist of the location is that they receive no energy from the state's power grid, but use a hydroelectric system instead. Now that's truly the pioneering spirit!

The Vineyards:
The first estate grapes were planted in 1981 at the Trinity mountain estate not far from the lake, which allows the estate to grow grapes not often found in the other wine regions of the area. These currently include Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties. They also purchase Pinot Gris and Merlot from another Trinity County grower.

The Wines:
The winery did very well at the 2010 California State Fair wine competition, as well as many other throughout the state and the country. They make a fairly wide variety of wines including sweet and dry white wines, rosés and different styles of red wines. These are wines you are more likely to find in the cool regions of northern Europe, like Pinot Noir, Riesling and Gewurztraminer, instead of the more traditional warm region varietal wines found in most of California.

The Winemaker:
The winemaker at Alpen Cellars is Keith Groves. Keith has a degree in winemaking from Fresno State University and worked at Korbel Champaign and Round Hill Cellars for several years prior to helping found Alpen Cellars.

Burnsini Vineyards

Address: 19535 Hammers Lane, Cottonwood, CA 96022
Phone: 530.347.4765
E-Mail: BurnsiniVineyds@aol.com
Website: burnsini.com
Article: Company overview by Shasta-Cascade Viticulture Association

The Winery:
Burnsini does When Tom Burnham and Jim Tomasini first became friends many years ago, little did they know that their names would one day be combined to form Burnsini Vineyards, LLC and that their retirement years would be spent growing grapes and making delicious red wines. All stages of winemaking right on the premises from planting and picking to bottling with the help of many friends and family members. Their wine is aged in French and American oak barrels for two years.

The Vineyards:
Burnsini's vineyard is located at the 700 foot elevation in Cottonwood making it warmer than the area around Manton or Shingletown. For these reasons, the decision was made to plant the warmer variety grapes Zinfandel, Merlot and Petite Sirah. They also have a fair representation of Cabernet Sauvignon vines.

The Wines:
Burnsini produces all red wines: Cabernet Sauvignon -- Upfront berry fruit, with a full middle body, and long finish showcase the varietal flavors of this Burnsini Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay -- 2005 was the first year to produce Chardonnay. This wine has been barrel fermented and aged in both American and French oak. Merlot -- The Burnsini Merlot has a large plum nose with current accents. Petite Sirah -- This wine is aged in American Oak. A brilliant purple color with a gorgeous bouquet, firm, rich and manly flavor, with blackberry and pepper overtones. Tehama Red -- Tehama Red is a blend of two premium grape varieties and is popular for all occasions. The wine is medium bodied, just a bit tangy and delivers soft round tannins. Zinfandel -- The Burnsini Zinfandel is an unpretentious wine providing a light fruity aroma, with an assertive full-bodied flavor of berries, mild oak overtones and a long strong spicy finish.

The Winemaker:
The Winemaking duties are handled by partner Tom Burnham who was a hobby winemaker for years prior to going commercial in the year 2000.

Butter Creek Ranch

Address: 211 Sydney Lane Hyampom, CA 96046
Phone: 530.628.4890
E-Mail: marni@buttercreekranch.com
Website: buttercreekranch.com

The Winery:
Butter Creek planted a two-acre vineyard in 1999 with the help of friends and neighbors. The vineyard is mostly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, along with small plantings of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris and Viognier. The Rapfs recently planted about 100 Tempranillo plants as well.

Butter Creek manages their vineyard primarily by hand without using herbicides or pesticides and use natural fertilizers. Warm summer days and cool summer nights help to improve the color, acids and flavors of the grapes from which they make wine that reflects their values of treading lightly on the land. Their wines are made in the Burgundian tradition.

The Vineyards:
Located in the Hyampom Valley, Marni and John Rapf produce a wonderful Chardonnay and one of the best Pinot Noir's we've tasted. They also have small plantings of Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris and Viognier. A boutique vineyard, Butter Creek is managed primarily by hand without using herbicides or pesticides and they only use natural fertilizers. Harvesting usually occurs from mid-September to mid-October.

The Wines:
2011 has brought the vineyard some nice weather and Butter Creek had a chance to begin pruning the vineyard. The winery currently offers two new blends. Their blend of 2007 Trinity Noir, a blend of Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. To make their 2008 South Fork White, they blended Chardonnay and Viogneir grapes.

Butter Creek recently bottle some of their 2009 Chardonnay, which they are releasing now. Butter Creek wines are available in restaurants and stores in Trinity, Shasta and Humboldt Counties, as well as at the winery.

The Winemaker:

John Rapf

Dogwood Estate Winery

Address: 3995 Campbell Ridge Rd, Salyer, CA 95563
Phone: 530.629.2191 or 530.629.3750
E-Mail: dogwoodestates@directv.net

The Winery:
Located in Willow Creek on the Trinity River and at the base of the Trinity Mountains, the estate’s vineyards include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that benefit from the warm days and cool nights. Some of this boutique winery’s grapes also come from the finest vineyards in Napa Valley.

Gary and Pam Barker do all the work, growing the grapes, crushing, barreling, (they use French and American oak barrels), bottling, labeling and hand-dipping each bottleneck in yellow wax. Dogwood produces 1,200 cases annually.

The Vineyards:
Willow Creek, Calif. is one of the country’s smallest American Viticulture Areas (AVAs), comprising about 6,000 total acres and home to just three wineries: Dogwood Estate Winery, Sentinel Winery and Winnett Vineyards. The actual Willow Creek AVA straddles both Humboldt and Trinity counties and is located about 45 miles east of the coastline, tucked into the northernmost corner of the state.

The Wines:
The wine is sold in coastal stores like NorthCoast Co-Op, Murphy's Market, Old Growth Cellars and the Harris and K Market in Eureka.

The Winemaker:
Gary Barker and Pamela Barker

Lassen Peak Winery

Address: 7878 Oak Lane Shingletown, CA 96088
Phone: (530) 474-5526
E-Mail: michaelboehlert@frontiernet.net
Website: lassenpeakwinery.com
Article: Company overview by Shasta-Cascade Viticulture Association

The Winery:
Mike and Deanna Boehlert operate a small family winery, producing nearly 3,000 cases, with their two sons helping in the vineyards, harvest, and in the production of their wines. All of their wines are crafted in small lots, with attention to every detail. The in-wood area of Shingletown is a beautiful agricultural community set in a small mountain valley. The area is home to a growing number of vineyards, but it still basically serene cattle and timber country.

The winery is located north of the Manton region off Highway 44 east of Redding. Lassen Peak is located on a beautiful hillside with incredible views of the valley in the distance. There is no tasting available at the winery, but they are in the middle of converting a 150-year-old farmhouse to function as a tasting room.

The Vineyards:
The winery started as a vineyard, like so many in this region. They sell most of their grapes out of the county, but retain a small amount of Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah and purchases grapes from the Alexander Valley and Lodi for their Bordeaux Blend.

The Wines:
The winery currently produces Chardonnay, Merlot, a Bordeaux Blend, Syrah, Old Vine Zin, Viognier and Rose. They are in the process of building a second winery that will focus on a premium wine sold only at the winery and on a value priced Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Gewurztraminer.

The Winemaker:
Mike Boehlert

Meredith Family Vineyards

Address: Olsen Creek Road, Hyampom, CA 96046
Phone: 530.623.2885
E-Mail: sales@meredithfamilyvineyards.com
Website: http://www.meredithfamilyvineyards.com

The Winery:
Meredith Family Vineyards is family owned and operated and focuses on producing rich, smooth, drinkable wines. The first vines were planted in 1986 on the hillsides of the historical Olsen Homestead in the Hyampom valley, located in the coastal mountains of Northern California. Warm days, cold nights, mountain soils, and low fruit yields conspire to render small berries with scant juice and intense flavors from vines tended and picked by hand.

The Vineyards:
Located in the beautiful Hyampom Valley of Trinity County, the Meredith Family Vineyards were planted on the historic Olsen Homestead. The first vines were planted in 1986 and planting continues to present. Occupying 35 acres of south facing hillside, the vineyards consist of major plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sangiovese, with minor plantings of Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

Being on the inland side of the California Coast Range and at an elevation of about 1400 feet, with warm days and cool nights, allows our grapes to develop excellent color and flavor. Irrigation, canopy management and harvesting the grapes at the proper ripeness ensures wines of exceptional quality. Randall Meredith is both the vineyard manager and wine maker, giving him total control of the variables that produce delicious wines. All of our wines are made at the vineyard with only fruit grown at Meredith Family Vineyards.

The Wines:
Wine selections include Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese, Tulip Blanc, and Homestead.

The Winemaker:
Randall Meredith

Mount Tehama Winery

Address: 32165 Forward Road, Manton, California 96059
Phone: 530-474-3304
E-Mail: info@mtwinery.com
Website: mtwinery.com
Article: Company overview by Shasta-Cascade Viticulture Association

The Winery:
Mount Tehama Winery, an independently owned vineyard and winery in Manton, California. Located near Lassen Volcanic National Park at an elevation of 2,660 feet, they grow the finest grapes using organic farming practices. They have released a 2005 Shiraz and have new wines scheduled for release very soon.

Mount Tehama Winery is a California Certified Organic Winery. CCOF was founded in 1973 as a mutual assistance and certification organization for organic farmers and was one the first organizations to perform organic certification in North America. Since then, the CCOF seal has been your assurance of certification with integrity.

An article about Mount Tehama Winery

The Vineyards:
The secret is in the soil. This region of Northern California has been marked by volcanic activity for many thousands of years.

Their 2,660 ft. elevation gives them a colder climate, which discourages many pests and other types of problems, but which is desirable in producing a balanced wine grape. The 20-acre estate started as a vineyard in 1999 and a winery followed soon after.

The Wines:
The combination of climate, soil, and certified organic farming practices enabled Mount Tehama to make a sumptuous wine, a full-bodied Syrah. It has both the aroma and flavor of dark cherries and vanilla with balanced tannins.

The Winemaker:
Alain Teutschmann

One Maple Winery

Address: 4271 Lewiston Road, Lewiston, California 96052
Phone: 530.778.0716
E-Mail: contact@onemaplewinery.com
Website: onemaplewinery.com/
Article: Company overview by Shasta-Cascade Viticulture Association

The Winery:
One Maple, established in 1998, was originally a mere dream and hobby for Ernie and Kristel Bell, evolving into a full-time family affair with the opening of Trinity County's newest winery and tasting room in July, 2006.

The Vineyards:
The New Hampshire sugar maple, being the first rooted, witnessed the family's toils and efforts over the years-from the hand planting of each grapevine, to the hand picking of each bountiful cluster produced. Her branches extend in graceful elegance as monumental proof of her purpose: to oversee and protect the growth of our family vineyard.

One Maple vines are nurtured from rocky, yet rich soil; their thirst naturally quenched by Grass Valley Creek.

The Wines:
One Maple offers Pinot Noir, Kristel White Merlot, Merlot, Chardonnay, Summer Blanc, and Pinot Gris.

R.Merlo Estate Vineyards

Address: In Hyampom, Lower South Fork Rd. Winery is on the right 1/2 mile
Phone: 866.222.3313
E-Mail: info@rmerlo.com
Website: rmerlo.com
Article: Company overview by Shasta-Cascade Viticulture Association

The Winery:
The first bottling under the R.Merlo label was in 2004. Using the family name, Merlo - Italian for blackbird - Ray and Robin are now creating estate-grown wines that represent their winemaking heritage in a land they cherish – Hyampom Valley.

The Vineyards:
At R.Merlo Estate Vineyards, the particular characteristics of their Hyampom Valley vineyards are carried through to the bottle. The Hyampom vineyards have allowed them to make an array of richly flavored and expressive wines, all true to varietal character and true to the land from which they come.

The Wines:
Unlike most California wines, these deep, complex wines are not high in alcohol, nor overripe in flavors. Rather, the red wines reveal rich flavor themes with very large, bold, yet smooth tannin structure. The phenomenal skin structure of the fruit results in opulent, dark colors, practically impenetrable by light. The white wines display bright vibrant flavors with crisp natural acidity. R.Merlo Estate Vineyards produces unique varietal wines, all showing the extraordinary terrain of Hyampom Valley.

The Winemaker:
David Georges