Lake County’s Stonehouse Cellars Has a Unique Winemaking Process

See how Stonehouse Cellars has discovered the secret to winning pours, every time.

Winemakers have done many things in the pursuit of creating the best possible wine. At Stonehouse Cellars, this pursuit has become a science, as the winemaking team uses meticulous methods to test and produce the best wine imaginable. Led by owner Greg Stratmann, Stonehouse Cellars is a stunning place to experience serene views while enjoying some of the best wine in Lake County, California.

From a Medical Lab to a Vineyard Experiment

When Greg Stratmann started making wine, all he had was a passion and a winemaker friend. In the early days, they bought any grapes they could afford, mostly low-cost options from Napa. 

But he soon discovered that low cost often meant low quality. That was until he had full control over the growing of the grapes; otherwise, he would be at the mercy of someone else’s vision. Now, if there’s one thing you need to know about Stratmann, it’s that he’s not someone who will hand over control when he knows a better way.

Perhaps it’s because he didn’t come from a winemaking background that gave Stratmann an edge in the early days of Stonehouse Cellars. Instead, his experience was in medicine — as an anesthesiologist and neuroscientist at UCSF. Probably not the first place you’d expect a great Californian winemaker to come from!

But as it turns out, Stratmann found many unexpected parallels between medicine and winemaking. 

While learning more about making wine, Stratmann approached it the same way as his lab at UCSF. Like the scientific method, he saw winemaking as a series of experiments. A winemaker can pose a single question and perform one experiment to test it. 

For example, when considering which yeast to use, Stratmann tested out 32 different strains and meticulously kept all other variables constant. After his experiment, he could definitively conclude which yeast was best and march forward with certainty. 

Each harvest presents an opportunity for Stratmann to run a new experiment. And every year he gleams new answers for making the best wine possible. His scientific wine method may explain how Stonehouse Cellars has mastered the difficult challenge of producing consistently high-quality, exceptional wines year after year.

All Method, No Madness: The Stonehouse Cellars Way

To fully understand Stonehouse Cellars’ winemaking process, first, you have to learn about pain. Don’t worry, this won’t hurt. 

While a doctor at UCSF, Stratmann used the industry standard for measuring patient pain. Since pain can be difficult to describe, doctors use a visual scale. They draw a horizontal line on a piece of paper and ask the patient to mark where the pain falls, with the left side being zero and the right side being 100. From there, doctors are able to rate the pain and how to best address it. 

Stratmann noticed that winemaking had a similar challenge: There was no standard way to describe the experience of a wine. So, he translated the pain management system into a way to measure his wine. 

How does it work? Stratmann asks wine drinkers to mark where their wine experience ranks. The left side of the line is the worst possible experience, while the right side is the best. For every wine he makes, Stratmann asks this same question of his team, his friends, and blind-tasting guests. 

In fact, blind tasting is a major part of the winemaking process at Stonehouse Cellars. Each year when testing new hypotheses, Stratmann has 20-30 people taste his wines blind. He gathers valuable information about what winemaking techniques lead to the best possible wine. It’s a process that has worked vintage after vintage, to great success. 

He’s tested many variables, including aging in American oak versus French oak. Today, new visitors are invited to bring their favorite wine to see how it stacks up against Stonehouse Cellars’ pours. Stratmann says guests usually rate Stonehouse wines higher than anything else.

Historic Cabernet Through the Ages  

While Stonehouse Cellars makes a variety of wines, the real specialty is Cabernet Sauvignon. And not just any Cab Sauv. 

Wine enthusiasts will remember the famous Paris Tasting of 1976, when California wine bested French wine in a blind tasting. Well, the vines for that winning wine had cuttings planted throughout California. Many have since disappeared with only a few still surviving. And can you guess where they’re planted? 

Stonehouse Cellars is proud to be the home of one of the few remaining original vines from that world-famous vineyard. Today, the winery still produces wines from those vines, plus other remarkable Cabernet clones. 

As the winemaking team tests new hypotheses, their style evolves. Typically, they decide on a style and follow their standard process for creating it. Thanks to meticulous records, Stratmann and his team can reproduce bottlings from the past if they have the supply and capabilities. 

Recently, the winery has moved away from heavily extracted Cabernet Sauvignons found all over California. Instead, they prefer lighter bottles that both visitors and the team enjoy themselves.

But they’re always exploring new avenues. This year, Stratmann and his team want to make more tannic, ageable wines. They’re excited to see how they measure up in blind tastings.

What You Need to Know About Enjoying Stonehouse Cellars 

Stonehouse Cellars stands by the quality and experience of their wines. They invite visitors to bring a favorite bottle to test against the Stonehouse lineup. Are you willing to discover a new favorite?

How to Experience the Stonehouse Cellars Tasting Room 

Stonehouse Cellars is a true escape from the ordinary. The tasting room is off the beaten path, so you’ll find peace and quiet here. What you won’t find is the hustle and bustle of other regions, like Napa Valley or Sonoma. Instead, linger as long as you want while enjoying the serene views and great wines. 

Of course, if you come during the famous blind tastings, you’ll find a different setting. On these occasions, Stratmann hosts about 20 people for a blind tasting followed by a rousing discussion of the pours. If you’re looking for a truly unique tasting, join one of these experiences. You’ll learn more about your own tastes and get an inside peek into the winemaking process. 

For an extended stay, there’s also the Bed & Barrel in a historic stagecoach stop on the estate. Here, guests can stay in the same winery where the wine is made. That’s actually a rare experience you won’t find in Napa Valley or Paso Robles. This relaxing experience is centered around gourmet meals prepared by a private chef, paired with Stonehouse Cellars wines. View a virtual tour here.

What Types of Wine Can I Enjoy at Stonehouse Cellars? 

Cabernet Sauvignon reigns supreme at Stonehouse Cellars. You’ll also find other varieties perfected by the winemaking team.

Plan Your Lake County Visit to Stonehouse Cellars

Since Stonehouse Cellars is off the beaten path in Lake County, it’s a great place to spend a few hours or an afternoon soaking up a good time. Of course, it’s only a mile off the highway, so you’ll still be able to experience the local scene while you’re wine-tasting in Lake County. 

Guests can choose from a tasting flight of red wines, mixed varieties, exclusive Cabernet Sauvignon bottles, or a vertical flight of the top wine. You can also reserve space for a picnic in the vineyard. 

For true wine lovers, there’s the ultimate experience. Book a special blind tasting to face off your favorite wine against Stonehouse Cellars’ flight and see which comes out on top.

Start planning your visit to Stonehouse Cellars in beautiful Lake County.