CLEARLAKE OAKS – Lake County’s Shannon Ridge Winery has received some impressive accolades for two of its wines in recent wine competitions.

The winery has seen positive recognition for its wines from Lake County and the new High Valley appellation, which proprietor Clay Shannon helped to establish.

The California State Fair wine competition judges awarded Shannon Ridge a “Best of Class and Gold Medal” award for the 2006 Sauvignon Blanc. The wine was considered the best wine from the north coast wine region, an impressive honor.

The wine has a pleasing complexity of aromas with smoky mineral notes and hints of jasmine, orange blossom, and fennel. The mouth feel is nicely balanced with refreshingly clean flavors similar to the aromas and added nuances of citrus, lilac and apricot.

Judges at the prestigious Critics Challenge wine competition, which is directed by wine writer Robert Whitley, awarded Shannon Ridge with a “Critics Platinum” for its 2005 Barbera, bringing recognition to the new High Valley appellation in Lake County.

The wine is bright, juicy, tangy and mouth-filling. Sour cherry and sweet candied fruit combine with boysenberry and blueberry to tantalize your taste buds. Barbera ripens late in the season. The ripe, balanced fruit of this Barbera's naturally high acidity has created a soft, lush wine.

For more information about Shannon Ridge, visit www.shannonridge.com or call 998-9656.

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