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COVER STORY record when it comes to growing a wide range of varieties, with inter- est growing in its cabernet sauvi- gnon, petite sirah and sauvignon blanc. Its fruit blends well with that from neighboring Napa and Sonoma, helping wineries in those regions keep the cost of goods down, so they, too, can sell their wines at more attractive prices to value-conscious consumers. Shannon predicts that Lake County will continue to grow as an outdoor recreation area, attracting active enthusiasts who also take an interest in wine tasting. Lately, he said, a lot of people from the Bay Area have been buying afford- able "fixer-upper" houses in Lake County. "These folks are looking for the A LIFE IN THE VINEYARDS Back in 1927, Vittorio Sangiacomo purchased a 52-acre fruit tree ranch. By 1969, the Sangiacomo family was planting grapes and a Sonoma Wine Country legend was born. Today the third generation of Sangiacomos grows premium wine grapes on more than 1,500 acres of vineyards. We've been here committed to agriculture—and you—since 1916. second-home experience two and a half hours north of the Bay Area where they can have a lake home for half a million versus the $2 to $3 million it would cost in Tahoe," he explained. "We also see and are gaining market share of folks look- ing for a non-crowded wine tasting venue, where owners are on site pouring the wine and mingling." Shannon is so bullish on Lake County that in April he bought High Valley Vineyard, an 80-acre vineyard adjacent to his home vineyard in the High Valley AVA that includes the vineyard, brand and a tasting room. Planted to sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon, it has been renamed Betsy's Vineyard in honor of Shannon's late mother, who died of cancer in 1985. Part of the pro- ceeds from sales of the wine will go to cancer-fighting organizations. "We really believe in Lake County and the quality we can deliver," he said. "It was another way to confirm our commitment to the region." Shannon, who is 51, is also happy to see his kids start to take an interest in the family business. One of his daughters, Audrey, is running the Shannon Ridge tast- ing room, while his teenage son Ivan is adept at maintaining all the machinery it takes to farm a sprawl- ing empire of vineyards. His wife, Margarita, works with the compa- ny CFO to manage the money and sign checks. Shannon is clearly thrilled at their involvement, and said he feels the family has now successfully made the transition from grapegrowers to vintners, poised to remain one of the best-known producers of affordable Lake County wines. Steve, Angelo, Michael and Robby Sangiacomo Call 800.800.4865 today or visit AgLoan.com A part of the Farm Credit System. Equal Opportunity Lender. See our farm family stories at AgLoan.com/generations 42 VINEYARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT SEPT - OCT 2012 Virginie Boone writes regularly about wine for The Press Demo- crat, Savor Wine Country Magazine and Zester Daily, and is a contribut- ing wine reviewer for Wine Enthu- siast. Comments? Please e-mail us at feedback@vwm-online.com. WWW.VWM-ONLINE.COM