You’ve probably driven past Cache Creek Vineyards more times than you can count. Whether leaving or just coming into Lake County, it’s hard to miss the giant wine barrel resting just off of Highway 20 on the way to Williams. If you look closely, you’ll see the fountain to the right of the tasting room, sparkling near the overarching oak trees. Further back, an amphitheater sits. And if you look closely enough, you may catch a glimpse of the herd of Tule Elk roaming the property. Sometimes life needs a short detour, and Cache Creek Winery is well worth a side trip on your way to or from the city.
Cache Creek exudes country hospitality. People are friendly, willing to kick back and chat for a bit. Walk in the door and listen to the country music filtering through the speakers; it’s a place to kick back and relax for a few minutes or hours. The tasting room’s also a shop, filled with an array of wine accessories and gift ideas from jewelry, wine purses, wine glasses, and, believe it or not, wine sippy cups.
And, if time allows, it’s easy to spend an afternoon. To the right of the gifts stands a refrigerator, fully stocked with cheeses, spreads, and chilled wines just begging to be used for a picnic.
Take a seat at the outdoor bar overlooking the patio, kick back on an Adirondack chair made from wine barrels, or spread a blanket on the grass and enjoy the tasting. The fountains drown out the noise, and it’s quiet. This is the moment you were looking for, the moment when whatever was on your mind lazily drifts away, leaving you right where you are.
A small taste of the 2018 Chardonnay sits yellow-gold in the glass. Unlike over-fruited or over-oaked Chardonnays, Cache Creek’s is surprisingly smooth and balanced. The acidic notes of green apple and pear blend with a creamy mouthfeel that lingers long in the finish.
The tasting moves to reds, and it’s time for the 2017 Bugle Call. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Grenache, it fills the nose with notes of spice and toastiness, leading to a balanced taste that dances between fruit and oak, an interplay of cherry and spice.
Off in the distance, the Tule Elk roam the flats. Wild turkeys cut across the lawn on their way somewhere, and deer wander by for their afternoon drink from the creek.
Cache Creek Vineyards
250 New Long Valley Rd, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
Hours: 10:30 – 5:00 Daily
(707)-998-1200
