Located in southwestern Lake County, north of SONOMA and NAPA COUNTIES and east of MENDOCINO COUNTY. This extremely large AVA area encompasses the territory around California’s largest fresh-water lake, Clear Lake. This viticultural area’s climate, which consists of hot days and cold nights, categorizes it as a Region II or III (see CLIMATE REGIONS OF CALIFORNIA), depending on the area location. SAUVIGNON BLANC grapes seem to do best, although CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CHARDONNAY, and ZINFANDEL are also planted. Kendall-Jackson Vineyards started out here and still has about 80 acres of vineyard land. Despite the large size of the Clear Lake AVA there are only a few wineries here.