LAKE COUNTY, CA. — The best wine gifts often begin with someone in mind.
A guest walks into a local tasting room searching for a bottle to bring to a holiday dinner or give to someone special. Instead of choosing from a store shelf, they can talk with the people who know the wines. They may hear where the grapes were grown or why a particular vintage stands out. By the time the bottle is wrapped, it carries a piece of Lake County and a story worth sharing.
That experience is at the heart of Give the Gift of Wine, the Lake County Winery Association’s annual shop-local holiday campaign. From Black Friday, November 27, through December 31, 2026, guests who purchase six or more bottles in a single transaction from a participating winery will receive a special code for buy-one-get-one-free general admission to Barrels & Verticals.
The campaign gives guests an opportunity to choose holiday wines in a more personal way while directly supporting local wineries. Some bottles may be opened around the table this season. Others may introduce a friend or family member to Lake County wine for the first time.
“There is something meaningful about giving a bottle when you know where it came from and the story behind it,” said Brittany Romanchik, Executive Director of the Lake County Winery Association. “Give the Gift of Wine encourages guests to support local wineries during the holidays, and the Barrels & Verticals offer gives them a reason to come back and experience Lake County wine together.”
That experience continues on Saturday, February 20, 2027, during Barrels & Verticals. The annual self-guided event invites guests into participating locations for intimate, educational tastings that aren’t typically available during an ordinary winery visit.
At each stop, guests will taste either a developing wine directly from the barrel or a vertical featuring the same wine across multiple vintages. The smaller setting allows time for questions and conversation, helping guests understand how a wine develops before bottling or changes after years in the cellar.
Participating Wineries
Lakeport
- Sol Rouge at On the Waterfront, 60 3rd Street
Clearlake Oaks
- Brassfield Estate Winery, 10915 High Valley Road
- Cache Creek Vineyards, 250 New Long Valley Road
- Stonehouse Cellars, 580 Old Long Valley Road
Lower Lake
- Gregory Graham Winery, 13633 Point Lakeview Road
- Six Sigma Ranch, 13372 Spruce Grove Road
- Hawk and Horse Vineyards, 13048 Highway 29
Hidden Valley
- Wild Diamond Vineyards, 15015 Spruce Grove Road
Kelseyville
- Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill, 5625 Gaddy Lane
- Fore Family Vineyards, 3924 Main Street
- Mt. Konocti Winery, 2550 Big Valley Road
- Rosa D’Oro, 3155 Merritt Road
- Smiling Dogs Ranch, 3955 Main Street
- Thorn Hill Vineyards, 8170 Highway 29
Middletown
- Langtry Farms & Vineyard, 21000 Butts Canyon Road
- Martin Pohl Wines, 21148 Calistoga Road
- Domaine Helena Vineyards, 20963 Highway 175
Hours and purchasing options vary by location. Guests are encouraged to contact participating wineries before visiting.
Give the Gift of Wine begins November 27 and continues through December 31. Barrels & Verticals tickets and additional event information will be available through the Lake County Winery Association.
About the Lake County Winery Association
Founded in 2007 by local wineries, the Lake County Winery Association brings wineries together to share the story of Lake County wine and encourage visitors to experience the region for themselves. Through collaborative marketing and partnerships, the Association supports its members while building greater awareness of Lake County as a wine-country destination.
