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Red Hills Lake County AVA in California's Lake County is situated entirely within the larger Clear Lake AVA, at the southern end of the lake itself. The AVA separates Excelsior Valley to the east from Big Valley to the west. The high-altitude and volcanic terrain of the region are particularly suited to the production of elegant, concentrated red wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon.

A Red Hills Lake County wine label

The dormant Mount Konocti volcano sits above the vineyards on the edge of Clear Lake. The land here is reasonably hilly and most vineyards are planted at 1600ft to 2500ft (487–762m) above sea level. As a result of the altitude, the sites experience sunshine that is more intense than they would get if they were lower down, which allows grapes to reach optimal ripeness. However, the altitude also means that nights are considerably colder, lengthening the ripening season and maintaining valuable acidity in the grapes. 

Constant breezes from the lake throughout summer help to reduce the overall temperature of the region, leading to a longer, milder growing season. They also help to discourage frosts early in the season. Without these essential lake breezes, Red Hills Lake County would be too hot for viticulture. 

Red Hills is named for its soil, which is mainly red lava left over from eruptions of the region’s long-extinct volcanoes. These red soils are free-draining, which leads vines to dig their root systems deeper into the soil for sustenance. This has the twin benefits of strengthening the vine and decreasing the grape yield, leading to more concentration of flavor in the berries. The best sites in Red Hills have pockets of black, glassy obsidian, which not only has excellent drainage but also absorbs heat during the day to help the ripening process. 

The tough terroir in Red Hills Lake County encourages the Cabernet Sauvignon vines to grow small berries with thick skins, resulting in concentrated, full-bodied wines that age gracefully. Sauvignon Blanc grown lower down the slopes, closer to the lake, is complex and flavorsome. Zinfandel and Syrah are also planted in smaller quantities. 

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