Clay and Margarita Shannon have been working with Lake County fruit for over two decades, so they understand the area’s potential for producing great wine. The wines they release under their Shannon Ridge label are made from sustainability farmed fruit, and since every bottle is priced under $25, they’re a great value, too. Our tasting panel sat down to review a selection of their current releases. Here’s what they thought:

Winery: Shannon Ridge

Grape(s): Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Tempranillo

Special Designation: Wrangler Red

Region: Lake County

Year: 2008

Price: 15-20

Review:

Aromas of cherries, plums, and blackberries along with a suggestion of bacon can be found on the nose. A sip delivers flavors of cherry and blackberry with accents of oak, barrel spice, and leather. A lively, fairly bright wine, with a nice structure, it may be a bit bold for some people by itself, but it’s great for foods like pizza or BBQ.

Rating: 90

Character: dark fruit, lively mouthfeel, balanced tannins

Winery: Shannon Ridge

Grape(s): Chardonnay

Special Designation: Ranch Collection

Region: Lake County

Year: 2010

Price: 20-25

Review:

A bouquet of pears, mangoes, and pineapples, along with hints of citrus and vanilla rise from a glass. A sip reveals flavors of pear, apple, and pineapple rounded out by notes of creamy vanilla and caramel. A nice and round wine, with lush fruit and a mild acidity, it’s for fans of softer, rich whites.

Rating: 89

Character: lush fruit, full-bodied, light acidity

Winery: Shannon Ridge

Grape(s): Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Lake County

Year: 2009

Price: 15-20

Review:

Notes of honeydew, lemon, and grapefruit can be discovered on the nose. Flavors of melon, bright citrus, pineapple, and a hint of minerals emerge on the palate. A nice, crisp wine that still has a somewhat round mouthfeel, it’s ideal of fans of fresh, drinkable whites.

Rating: 88

Character: bright fruit, supple mouthfeel, fresh acidity

Winery: Shannon Ridge

Grape(s): Barbera

Special Designation: “Single Vineyard”

Region: Lake County

Year: 2008

Price: 20-25

Review:

On the nose, aromas of boysenberries, black cherries, a hint of smoked meat, and cocoa greet the senses. Flavors of cherry and blackberry meld with notes of leather, dark-chocolate, and a hint of spice on the palate. A bright wine that’s still rich with fruit and has a bit of complexity, it’s geared for food. Fans of more lively, layered reds will enjoy this bottle.

Rating: 90

Character: dark fruit, lively mouthfeel, balanced tannins

Winery: Shannon Ridge

Grape(s): Merlot

Special Designation: Ranch Collection

Region: North Coast

Year: 2009

Price: 15-20

Review:

The nose offers aromas of cherries, blackberries, plums, chocolate, and vanilla. Flavors of blackberry, plum and cherry emerge after a sip. A lighter-bodied, fruit-driven wine, it’s for fans of softer reds.

Rating: 87

Character: dark fruit, lighter mouthfeel, fine tannins

Winery: Shannon Ridge

Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon

Special Designation: Ranch Collection

Region: Lake County

Year: 2008

Price: 15-20

Review:

Suggestions of blackberries, currants, dark-chocolate, and earth rise from a glass. Blackberry and currant flavors dominate the palate with accents of anise and vanilla rounding out the profile. A softer, lighter Cab with mellow tannins, it’s for fans of subtle and smooth over big and bold.

Rating: 87

Character: dark fruit, lighter-bodied, mellow tannins