What to Buy
'06 Reserve Petite Sirah, Lake County Big, oozing, coffee, fudge, pepper, tart cherry and espresso finish $29
'07 Reserve Chardonnay, Lake County Signature toasty oak, vanilla, touch of citrus, tones of ripe melon creamy, buttery finish $14
'07 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County Grapefruit, fresh herbs, gooseberry, crisp, fresh, tropical notes, rich, steely finish $12
'07 Home Ranch Zinfandel, Lake County White pepper, wild berry jam, coffee, toasty vanilla, brambly $29
Getting There
Take Hwy 29 to Kelseyville. Turn on Live Oak Dr. Proceed to Main St. and turn left to the tasting room.
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When fifth-generation pear farmer, Myron Holdenried and his wife, Marilyn, decided to plant 30 acres of Zinfandel grapes in a former pear orchard back in 1966, they started the story of Wildhurst Vineyards. The word hurst is Gaelic, meaning "wooded hillside" and "wild hurst" aptly describes the verdant slopes of Mount Konocti overlooking their ranch in the heart of Lake County's wine region.
Today, after 17 years as a winery, their operation has grown from a 4,000-case production to more than 70,000 cases annually—and the Holdenrieds are among the leaders in the renaissance of the wine grape industry in Lake County.
Inspired by the intensely-flavored fruit grown in the ranch property's rich volcanic soils, Winemaker Mark Burch came to Wildhurst in 1997. He works long hours to take full advantage of Wildhurst's unique terroir. His signature Sauvignon Blanc wines continue to receive multiple awards and accolades, including a Double Gold for his 2007 Lake County Reserve from the 2009 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, and Best of California and Best of North Coast Appellation at the 2008 California State Fair. The 2007 Reserve Chardonnay received Best of Class and the 2007 Home Ranch Zinfandel was awarded a Gold Medal in this year's Chronicle competition.
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| "Wildhurst is a grower's winery," Mark says. "Myron and I have the same desire to focus our wines on the quality of the fruit and the unique attributes of Lake County. The size of Wildhurst gives me the opportunity to truly handcraft each wine, and I have access to fantastic grapes in an area just beginning to be appreciated for its quality."
Wildhurst Vineyards' tasting room is located in the historic IOOF Hall in downtown Kelseyville, a friendly country town, and features Lake County products in addition to a full selection of wines to taste and purchase. The know-ledgeable and enthusiastic staff helps with making selections, while telling the story of farming the grapes, making the wines, and the success of Wildhurst Vineyards.
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