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Most of the travelers who drive through Clearlake Oaks on
State Highway 20 have no idea that a road named Round
Mountain Road actually takes you to a place called High
Valley. The road is named
after Round
Mountain Volcano,
and this volcano is the reason High Valley
exists today. Many
years ago Round Mountain
Volcano erupted, damming all
drainage from the valley.
Over the centuries the valley filled
with water and the resulting lake was eventually displaced by
natural erosion. Our
vineyard rests on the dam that was laid
by Round
Mountain. This is some of the most rugged terrain
in the valley, giant lava outcrops that are miles in length and
High
Valley
Vineyard grows their grapes on these volcanic
soils. High
Valley differs from the rest of Lake County and
indeed most of California,
because its situated east/west instead
of north/south like most valleys.
This geological anomaly
means that High
Valley is able to
pull in cool air from nearby
Clear
Lake since
there is a very low western ridge to allow
airflow. At night the hot
summer air is quenched by this cool
air, allowing the vines to ready themselves for another day of
perfect growing conditions.
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