Brassfield Estate Winery: A Guide to Lake County's Premier High-elevation Wine Experience

Brassfield Estate Winery stands as one of Lake County’s most respected wine destinations, and a visit here quickly explains why. Planted at elevations that match only around 1% of vineyards in the world, the estate produces wines forged by volcanic soils and dramatic diurnal temperature swings. Every grape on the property is farmed and bottled entirely on site. The vineyard spans over 5,000 acres in the western section of High Valley, encompassing the High Serenity Ranch, the dormant Round Mountain Volcano, and the picturesque Lake Serenity.

A wide view of a vibrant green vineyard with scattered olive trees under a blue sky filled with white clouds and distant misty mountains.

What Brassfield Winery Produces: Flagship Varietals and Signature Blends

Brassfield Estate grows 17 varietals across its vineyard blocks, each matched to specific elevation bands and soil profiles. Among its notable wines are Sauvignon Blanc, Petite Sirah, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Zinfandel. Grown at the valley floor around 1,800 feet, the Sauvignon Blanc is one of the estate's most celebrated wines. Its bright aromatics, clean minerality, and lingering finish have made it a perennial favorite among visitors and wine club members alike.

At the heart of Brassfield Estate's identity sit two proprietary blends. Eruption is a robust red blend sourced from the Volcano Ridge vineyard, where volcanic sands and tephra soils lend depth and structure. It brings together varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Zinfandel. Serenity, in contrast, is a refined white blend combining Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Gewürztraminer. Aromatic, balanced, and refreshingly crisp, it is a wine that embodies elegance in every sip.

Among the vineyard’s single varietals, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon stand out from the higher-elevation blocks, offering concentrated dark fruit and a firm, structured profile shaped by volcanic soils and diverse microclimates. Each of these varietals can be explored in person at the Brassfield tasting room in High Valley

Inside the Brassfield Estate Winery Tasting Room

The tasting room sits within a neo Tuscan stucco villa on the floor of High Valley, framed by vineyard rows. The atmosphere is unhurried and welcoming, with the scent of oak and fruit drifting through the cellar air. Indoor seating at the bar opens onto an adjoining outdoor picnic area where groups can spread out with a bottle and a charcuterie board, taking in sweeping views across the vine rows.

A standard tasting flight covers 5 wines for approximately $20 per person, with the fee waived on a purchase of 2 or more bottles. Charcuterie boards are available to complement the experience, making it easy to linger and enjoy the estate at a leisurely pace. The estate also features an extensive network of wine caves, offering a deeper look into its winemaking environment.

Two hands toasting with red wine glasses

A picturesque view of the hills, a large lake, and a grass lawn located near Tallman Hotel

High Valley Terroir: What Makes these Wines Different

The High Valley AVA occupies an unusual east-west transverse valley, set apart from the typical alignment of California’s coastal ranges. Combined with the influence of nearby Clear Lake, this landscape allows for cooling air movement across the valley, moderating temperatures steadily throughout the growing season.

Brassfield Estate spans multiple vineyard blocks across varying elevations and soil types. Sites such as Monte Sereno and Perspective are planted on higher elevations in Franciscan shale, while Volcano Ridge features volcanic sands and tephra soils well-suited to robust red varietals. On the valley floor, the High Serenity block benefits from cooler conditions ideal for aromatic white grapes.

The landscape itself has been shaped by the now-dormant Round Mountain Volcano, which contributed mineral-rich volcanic soils across the vineyard. Alongside alluvial deposits from the surrounding hills, these soils play a key role in defining the character of the wines. Brassfield Estate is also a Certified California Sustainable Vineyard and Winery, reflecting its ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.

Planning Your Visit to Brassfield Estate Winery: Hours, Directions & Timing

A visit to Brassfield Estate Winery is best enjoyed with a little planning. Here’s what to know before you go:

  • Open daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
  • Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more guests.
  • Walk-ins are welcome for smaller parties.
  • Located approximately 3.5 miles off Highway 20 via High Valley Road.
  • Late spring through early summer offers an elevated vineyard experience with the valley draped in vivid green across the hillsides.
  • Harvest season, typically in late summer to early autumn, brings a more active atmosphere across the estate.
  • Hosts seasonal events and wine club experiences throughout the year.
  • Visitors are encouraged to check the events calendar prior to planning a visit.

Rows of large wooden wine barrels stored under a lush green canopy of leaves in an outdoor cellar area.

Long rows of grapevines with a hill visible in the background.

Brassfield Winery and the Broader Lake County Wine Trail

Lake County has approximately 8,400 acres under vine across several sub-appellations, including High Valley, Red Hills, Clear Lake, and Kelsey Bench. Known for its volcanic soils and high-elevation vineyards, the region produces notable expressions of Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and has gained increasing recognition for its quality-driven wines.

Brassfield Estate Winery is located within the High Valley AVA, one of the region’s key growing areas. Nearby wineries such as Six Sigma Ranch and Winery, Vigilance Wines, Gregory Graham Winery, and Cache Creek Vineyards can be visited within the broader Lake County area, offering a range of tasting experiences across different microclimates and vineyard settings.

Among these, Six Sigma Ranch stands apart in the Lake County wine landscape. The estate's wines reflect the minerality and depth of their hillside terroir above Lower Lake, where small production keeps quality close and quantities limited. The winery has become a natural partner for the Tallman Hotel's intimate winemaker evenings, where kitchen and cellar meet around a shared table. For guests who want to go further, a visit to Six Sigma Ranch means tasting with the vineyard in view, wines experienced exactly where they were made.

All of these wineries sit within easy reach of Highway 20, and the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake sits right on it, making it a well-positioned base for exploring the full Lake County wine region.

Where to Stay: Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake

A day at Brassfield Estate Winery deserves a stay worthy of the wine country setting, and the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake delivers exactly that. Listed on the California Register of Historical Resources, this restored 1890s landmark sits at 9550 Main Street on Highway 20, at the heart of Lake County wine country, making it a natural starting point for winery days in any direction around the lake.

The Tallman Hotel combines classic period-style stays with modern comforts, complemented by the Blue Wing Restaurant & Saloon serving Lake County wines and seasonal cuisine. A wraparound veranda and seasonal outdoor pool create a relaxed atmosphere, while thoughtful amenities and a convenient location make it an ideal base for exploring nearby wineries, including Brassfield Estate Winery.

A 2-storey house of Tallman Hotel with cream coloured walls and balconies depicting upper, and lower garden exterior

Lake County wine tasting destination rewards those who take the time to explore it, and Brassfield Estate Winery makes a compelling case for why High Valley deserves a place on every serious wine itinerary. Pair the visit with a stay at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake, and the full picture of what this corner of Northern California offers comes into focus.

FAQs

1. Where is Brassfield Estate Winery located?
Brassfield Estate Winery is located at 10915 High Valley Road in Clearlake Oaks, California, within the High Valley AVA of Lake County. The property sits approximately 3.5 miles from Highway 20 along High Valley Road.

2. What are the tasting room hours at Brassfield Estate Winery?
The Brassfield Estate Winery tasting room is open daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Reservations are required for groups of 10 or more, while smaller parties are generally welcome without booking in advance.

3. What wines is Brassfield Winery known for?
Brassfield Winery is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2 proprietary blends: Eruption, a bold red, and Serenity, an aromatic white. All wines are 100% estate-grown, produced, and bottled on the property.

4. How does the volcanic terroir at Brassfield Estate Winery affect the wines?
The potassium-rich volcanic and alluvial soils at Brassfield Estate Winery contribute bright acidity and intense aromatics to the white wines, and concentrated fruit character with firm but supple tannins to the reds.

5. What is the best time of year to visit Brassfield Estate Winery?
Late spring through early summer offers lush vineyard scenery and ideal weather for picnicking on the estate grounds. Harvest season, from late August through mid-October, is a particularly atmospheric time to visit, with the winery in full production and seasonal events on the calendar.

6. How far is Brassfield Estate Winery from Upper Lake, CA?
Brassfield Estate Winery is approximately 35 to 45 minutes from Upper Lake by car, heading east on Highway 20 through Nice and Lucerne to Clearlake Oaks, then south on High Valley Road. The final stretch of the drive through High Valley is scenic and worthwhile.

7. Where should I stay when visiting Brassfield Estate Winery?
The Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake, approximately 35 to 45 minutes from Brassfield Estate Winery, is the ideal base for a Lake County wine trip. Our hotel is a California-registered historic property with well-appointed rooms, a wraparound veranda, and the on-site Blue Wing Restaurant and Saloon serving Lake County wines exclusively.

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