Just above the Napa Valley, along Highway 29 in the city of Lower Lake, California, a beautiful gem waits to be discovered. Thorn Hill Vineyards’ newest tasting room is perhaps one of Lake County’s loveliest. The beautiful Mediterranean-style building is adorned with fountains, travertine patios, stained glass, stone fireplaces, ponds and gardens. It’s a must-visit, not only for the property, but for the wines.
This tasting room sits near Mt. Konocti in Lake County’s Red Hills AVA, a site that meets Amy and Jack Thorn’s requirements for growing award-winning red Bordeaux grapes. They also own other exceptional vineyards in Sonoma, Napa, and Lake Counties. Jack oversees the vineyards and sales while Amy’s natural talent and relentless pursuit of excellence has made her a widely respected winemaker. Their son Jonathan oversees the Red Hills tasting room and daughter Rachael designed the labels for the recently released Sparkling wines. At harvest, everyone pitches in.
Amy personally selects and oversees each wine’s production. Each vintage is created by premium fruit selection, fine winemaking, and master blending. “As a winemaker, the greatest gift I can give is a bottle of wine that is the purest expression of each varietal, representing a union between the fruit of the vine, richness of the earth, and the passion of the winemaker,” she says.
Thorn Hill Vineyards’ wines are big and bold, with complex fruity flavors. The traces of minerals apparent in the volcanic soils lend earthy or flint notes that add to the complexity. Wine enthusiasts can discover the entire portfolio in Thorn Hill’s three tasting rooms: in California’s Lake County; in Napa Valley; and in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where it’s the only tasting room pouring California wines. No collection is complete without the rare wines of Thorn Hill Vineyards: a family affair focused on excellence.
WHAT TO BUY
’11 Pinot Grigio – $21
Pineapple, honeysuckle, peach, citrus, pear, melon
Brut Cuvée de Prestige Sparkling Wine – $32
Floral strawberry, apple, graham cracker, citrus, pear
’08 Red Rock Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – $40
Ripe berry, cassis, smoky, rich
CONTACT
707-279-2745
info@thornhillvineyards.com
thornhillvineyards.com
TASTING
Tasting Room Open Daily 11–6
8170 S Highway 29
Lower Lake, CA 95457
SPECIAL NOTES
Weddings and receptions, wine club discounts and events, winemaker dinners and culinary events, educational seminars.
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
