A Spotlight on Langtry Farms Vineyard & Winery
In the late 1800s, actress, socialite, and entrepreneur Lillie Langtry was determined to produce the perfect Claret. She purchased 4,200 acres of land in what was to be named Langtry Farms in the Guenoc Valley, located at the northern tip of Napa Valley and the southern end of Lake County. Nearly a century later, in the mid-1970s, Doyle Maseon and his brother Eaton established Guenoc Estate Vineyards on the property with a desire to bring Lillie’s label back to life while also elevating the reputation of Lake County wines.
In 2002, Easton Manson once again recognized the high-elevation terrain, which sits on volcanic soils, and today the holdings have been expanded to over 22,000 acres—the largest contiguous land holding in California. In 2020, the Langtry Farms rebrand officially launched, and it reached nationwide wholesale distribution last year. I tasted through some of the latest vintages with Easton’s son Aukai Manson, who serves as Langtry Farms’ regional sales manager, and Jeff Atchison, sommelier at George & Gather in Chandler, Arizona.
Langtry Farms regional sales manager Aukai Manson.
Lillie’s 2022 Feather Boa Chardonnay, Lake County ($20)
Grapes from the Guenoc Valley and Lake County aged on the lees in 75% new French oak for eight months, yielding an unmanipulated wine with an almost wild, cool-climate expression of ripeness. Notes of candied lemon, stone fruit, and sandalwood complement the creamy, oaky core, and the steely middle cleans the palate. 91
Langtry 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Lillie’s Vineyard, Guenoc Valley ($30)
Minerality shines through this expression aged in stainless steel and neutral barrels for eight months. Aromas of white flowers and Meyer lemon are striking, and a note of chamomile and honeyed lemon drop combined with high-toned acidity leaves the palate refreshed. 92
Langtry 2021 Tephra Ridge Merlot, Tephra Ridge Vineyard, Lake County ($44)
The grapes for this wine—upwards of eight tiers of vines—are planted on a 35-acre vineyard close to Howell Mountain that reaches up to 1,800 feet in elevation. The result is a big boy in flavor but light in body, good acidity from the north slope, and notes of spice not being over extracted. Notes of black-peppered cherry and espresso are elegant. 93
