Our mission is to craft small lots of wine made from estate grown organic and biodynamic grapes using the best of old and new world winemaking techniques.

Ceàgo
The word Ceago is derived from a Pomo Indian word meaning "grass seed valley". Ceago Vinegarden shares the valleys, which the Indians once called home.The Native Americans knew that people must interact with their land in a holistic fashion to enjoy and preserve a high quality of life. Ceago continues that tradition today.

Philosophy
Ceago Vinegarden is certified organic and biodynamic by Demeter. Ceago is committed to producing high quality grapes for wine while farming using biodynamic practices. One of the features of biodynamic farming is maintaining and enhancing biodiversity. At Ceago we incorporate habitat breaks within the Vinegarden to increase farm biodiversity. These areas include fruit and nut trees along with herbs and perennial plants attractive to beneficial insects. There are larger plantings of olive trees whose fruit is used to produce high quality extra virgin olive oil.Animal diversity is also important to biodynamic farming. Ceago is home to a herd of sheep that work to maintain seasonal vineyard cover crops and grasses. They also supply the ranch with wool and meat. Chickens are used in the vineyards for pest control by grazing for cutworms under the vines. They are moved around the fields in their "eggmobile", a portable chicken coop always filled with fresh ranch eggs. In addition to domestic animals accomodation of wild animals such as turkeys, deer, and coyote allows for a dynamic, healthy farm ecosystem. We believe farming using biodynamic practices results in the highest quality crops that reflect the natural conditions under which they are grown.

History
Following the sale of Fetzer Winery in 1992, Jim Fetzer created Ceago Vinegarden. The first Ceago ranch was located in the McNab Valley, Mendocino County, California. In the spring 2001, Jim purchased 270 acres between the villages of Nice and Lucerne on the north shore of Clearlake, Lake County, California. This property, "Ceago Del Lago" is now the focus of intense development efforts, where Jim is creating a biodynamic farm along with a Food and Wine Center. Vineyards will consist of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Petite Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscat varietals. Ceago Del Lago will showcase the biodynamic method of farming. Plantings at the farm include grapes, walnuts, olives, figs, and lavender. Seasonal plantings include sunflowers, wheat, and other annuals. Ceago Del Lago will also house a winemaking facility.