For years I have driven Highway 20 through Lake County, skirting beautiful blue Clear Lake with Mt. Konocti always prominent. The roads are pleasantly winding, the oak studded hills and country are lovely. However, I generally drive from I-5 to Highway 101 to continue my trek up to Eureka or beyond and seldom stop at Clear Lake except to take a break and picnic along the shoreline. What an absolute delight and most pleasant surprise when the Venue Vixens made a purposeful trip to Lake County to visit and tour the incredible Ciego Vinegarten. I was blown away!

Immediately upon entering the warm, inviting winery tasting room, we were greeted by Carleen, the Director of Hospitality. And boy was she ever hospitable! Carleen set us up with a flight of wines from estate grown grapes and served a fantastic assortment of artisan cheeses, dried fruits, figs and honeycomb (all from the property). With wine glass in hand we started our walking tour.

The compound of tile-roofed buildings is of a Spanish/Mediterranean architecture with many wonderful accent pieces and design elements. Mexican tiles line the stair steps that lead to balconies overlooking the reception courtyards; bright red Geraniums hang from balcony rails. Weathered window shutters, and massive wood doors are everywhere. Quads, patios and courtyards are cornered by study towers, and many have focal fountains, some with climbing rose bushes. Fields of lavender (we were told the plants are in full bloom in June) and olive, fig and walnut orchards add to this slice of heaven.

Then, if we weren’t impressed enough, my mouth dropped when the massive wood doors opened onto the majestic Grand Pomo Room. This is the perfect dinner reception room with its fantastically dark, rich, handsome appointments – and the room has a huge fireplace at one end! Arched doorway openings lead outside to beautiful courtyards and open patios for evening festivities.

This is an idyllic venue for a wedding and reception, worth the 2 hour drive from either the Sacramento or the San Francisco areas.

For additional information, review their website… www.ceago.com

~ Vixen Lora