Our Story

On a Sunday afternoon in 1998, while searching for the perfect vineyard site, Bud found a faded, old “For Sale” sign with barely readable phone number. This untouched 80-acre parcel, covered with Manzanita, poison oak and pine trees, would become Red Lava Vineyards.

Everything about Red Lava Vineyards is hands on. Bud, seated on his bulldozer, cleared 10 acres and built roads with the help of his sons Matt and Luke and other family members. After having an informal tasting of different varietals that would be suited to the site, Bud asked his wife, Kristi, what wine she liked. Her answer was, “Syrah!”, and the decision was made. He studied his site, then designed and planted 8 acres using close spacing and a Syrah clone from the Rhone Valley of France.

Located on the south side of Mt Konocti at 1600 ft. elevation, the slopes occasionally get winter snow. Mountain top views show a panorama of neighboring vineyards on surrounding hills, famous Clear Lake and smaller Thurston Lake. Manzanita and pine groves surround the vines, providing shelter for native mountain lions, bobcats, quail, bald eagles and other wildlife. Hot days and cool nights, ideally modified by breezes from the nearby lakes, provide optimum growing conditions for producing our complex wine.

Sustainable farming methods are used to preserve the integrity of the land. Obsidian boulders unearthed during clearing were used to build soil erosion walls. Lone pine trees in the vineyard were preserved. Bud has a passion for his vines, and cares for them like they were his children. His viticultural practices are based on lessons he learned years ago from his family: study the land, listen to its needs and treat it with respect, and it will reward you with a superior product.