Trinity Lakes - Wine Region Today
/Trinity Lakes
Inset from the Schell Mountain Quadrangle (1967) by U.S.G.S.
Trinity Lakes received its designation as an AVA in 2005. Situated on 96,000 acres, Trinity Lakes is located in Trinity County and is centered around Trinity Lake. The lake is a reservoir created by the damming the Trinity River in 1961. As the map above shows, the lake was initially named for Clair Engle, a U.S. Senator from California who died in office. The lake was given its current name in 1997.
The vineyards in the region are found in the rocky benches that surround Trinity Lake. The soil is rocky and porous with excellent drainage forcing the vines to struggle and put all of their efforts into producing the fruit that results in a deeply concentrated flavor in the grapes. The vineyards are planted between 1,200 and 2,500 feet, allowing for longer exposure to sunlight but still subject to the cool winds that sweep through the region. This large diurnal temperature swing allows for a longer growing season and allows the wines to develop a well-balanced acidity and tannin structure. The region is known for its production of cool climate varietals, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Riesling.