Lavender Ridge Vineyards (Back to Previous Page)

Appellation: Calaveras County Location: 431 Main St. #B Murphys, California 95247 Phone: (209)728-2441 Winemaker: Rich Gilpin Tasting Room: Small Days/Hours: Fri thru Sun, 11:00 to 5:00 Parking: Downtown Murphy Parking Picnic Facilities: Picnic areas available in Murphys Red Wines: Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Syrah White Wines: Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Rose, Dessert Wine, White Rhone Blend Production: N/A

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The Winery

Lavender Ridge Vineyards are located in the town of Copperopolis at the southwest edge of Calaveras County. In addition to the vineyards, the estate boasts 500 lavender plants and 50 Olive Trees. The beautifully designed, small but fun, tasting room is located in the town of Murphys. The display of lavender and lavender products for sale gives the shop the feel of a Provence farmhouse. There are also cookbooks and the estate made olive oil for sale on site.

The Vineyards

The 42 acres of vineyards are located at the 1200-foot elevation and have a climate very similar to the Southern Rhone Valley. For this reason the Gilpins have chosen to grow only Rhone varietals; Syrah; Mourvedre; Grenache; Viognier and Roussanne.

The Wines

The winery specializes in Rhone style varietals, and utilizes as little intervention in the winemaking process as possible. They restrict themselves to the use of native yeasts and filters only when necessary.

The Winemaker

Rich Gilpin was the winemaker at Windwalker Vineyards for ten years before purchasing the estate in Copperopolis with his wife Siri. Rich is a graduate of the University of California at Davis with a degree in enology. 

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