Sandy Bend Vineyard (SBV) grows world-class Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Canelli and a small quantity of Sauvignon Musqué. The vineyard, located in Upper Lake, Lake County, California, is found in a prized winegrape growing area within the state’s famed North Coast region. Originally established in 1996 by Larry Rogers, the vineyard is now run by the Schlies family which has deep roots in the area. Larry is still intimately involved in the vineyard and to this day serves as its vineyard manager.

The Schlies family began visiting Lake County in the 1950’s. Often, they would spend the summers enjoying the region’s natural beauty including its centerpiece, Clear Lake, the state’s largest freshwater lake and, perhaps, one of the oldest alpine lakes in North America. It is how they developed a deep connection and affinity for the region. Chris Schlies, head of the family business, Schlies Management LLC, fondly remembers his visits to Lake County as a boy.

In 2006, they purchased the vineyard from Larry. It was a natural extension of the Schlies family’s tradition in agriculture dating to the 1960’s when their family operated a prune orchard near Napa and continued with growing citrus beginning in 1971 in Tulare County, then started with almonds in California’s Central Valley in 1990. The family’s long connection to Lake County partnered perfectly with Larry and his own long history as a generational “dirt farmer.” The Rogers family has been growing various crops in the region for decades. Larry, himself, is a forerunner in returning viticulture to the area. It is this experience that gives him terrific insight. “Larry has great instincts and a highly practical, sensible approach to running the vineyard,” Chris said.

Since the property’s acquisition, Sandy Bend Vineyard has moved forward in various ways and made significant strides. A key factor has been progressing towards sustainable winegrowing practices. In 2013, SBV was designated as a California Certified Sustainable Winegrowing (CCSW) vineyard by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA). This certification and approach was particularly appealing as it involves a Continuing Improvement Process (CIP) where striving towards greater levels of sustainability, productivity and quality are a constant. Sandy Bend Vineyard is committed fully to this process.