Kelsey Bench - Lake County - Wine Region of the Day
/KELSEY BENCH - LAKE COUNTY
Photo of Kelsey Bench - Lake County by David Toomey for Qorkz
Kelsey Bench - Lake County received its designation as an AVA in 2013. Located on 2,338 acres, Kelsey Bench is a sub-appellation of the Lake County AVA. Kelsey Bench consists of red volcanic soils of eroded fertile blocks of clay and loam from Big Valley, resulting in wide swaths of gravel deposits and well-draining soils. Warm days are offset by afternoon breezes carried down from the ridges of the Mayacamas mountains. The afternoon cooling of the region often results in 50-degree diurnal cycles, a key to retaining acidity in mature wine grapes. The region is known for its production of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, and Merlot.