Weekend At A Winery: Add Shannon Family Of Wines To Your Travel Agenda

LAKEPORT, CA — Clay Shannon, a forward-thinking "maverick," committed to organic farming, wildlife and land preservation, launched his wine-making enterprise, Shannon Family of Wines, in 1996 in Lake County — long before such sustainable notions were entrenched in the wine industry.

Still sticking to his mission, Shannon's estate — with its Buck Shack brand — now encompasses more than 2,500 acres of mountain property north of Napa Valley, roughly half under vine for wine-making, with the rest as home to roam for bear, elk, mountain lions, eagles and other critters.

“We wanted to grow the best fruit possible,” said Shannon, who owns and operates the business with his wife, Angie. "But we wanted to do it in a way that made us happy living there.”

"For us, sustainability isn’t just a philosophy — it’s a way of life," is a company motto.

Vino lovers traveling the region can stop and sip Shannon wines at two, unique tasting-room locales or enter a summer 2022 contest for their own custom "Buck Shack" home bar.

One of the largest 100-percent certified, organic mountain-grown vineyards in the U.S., Shannon Family Wines' portfolio includes Clay Shannon, Giannecchini, High Valley, OVIS, Shannon Ridge, Steele Wines, Urgency and the throwback-dubbed label, Buck Shack — an homage to “Ye Old Buchshack,” a 100-year old historical shed on the winery estate.

Shannon wines are available online or at The Mercantile, a recently opened, go-to spot in Kelseyville, with wine-tastings, plus sandwiches, salads and charcuterie from local favorite, Rosey Cooks, and at the rustic farmhouse, Vigilance Tasting Room, in Lower Lake.

And as a special summer bonus this year, Shannon Family Wines is hosting a "Build Your Own Buck Shack," Sweepstakes — a contest, while giving a nod to the landmark historical shed, will award one winner a chance to make their own custom "Buck Shack."

Sweepstakes participants can join in online for a chance to score a $5,000 gift card for a home bar, designed and customized by influencer DIY designers, Nate Halverson and Taryn Whiteaker.

"The lucky winner will get to work closely with Nate and Taryn to design their dream home bar, themed after the iconic Buck Shack,” said Brett Scallan, Shannon Family of Wines marketing vice president.

To enter, sign up on the website, and keep up with the sweepstakes on social media.

“We’re excited to share the Buck Shack brand with new consumers across the country," Scallan said.

Shannon Family operations, recently awarded a California Green Medal award for sustainable winegrowing, are headquartered at 2150 Argonaut Road, Lakeport. For wine tastings, The Mercantile, at 4350 Thomas Drive, Kelseyville, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Vigilance Tasting Room, at 13888 Point Lakeview Road in Lower Lake, also hosts Shannon wine tastings Fridays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Both The Mercantile and Vigilance Tasting Room are dog-friendly, with reservations recommended, according to the website.

------------

FOR MORE WINERY ADVENTURES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA:

• Book A Stay At New Paso Robles Vineyard Farmhouse
• Multi Tasting Rooms, 1 Locale In Healdsburg
• See The Vineyards Sidecar-Style In Napa & Sonoma
• Enjoy Wine, Chocolate & Meet A Camel
• Where Wine Pairs With Classic Cars
• Tour Temecula In 'Real Housewives'-Style