Dec 30, 2022
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Lucia Vineyards & Winery
| Owner(s) | Pisoni Family |
| Web site | www.luciavineyards.com |
| Link to this site |
This is a family-owned and run winery producing Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Lucy Rosé from Garys' and Pisoni vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands. A third vineyard, Soberanes, was planted in 2008, is owned by the Pisonis and Gary Franscioni and will be a source for Lucia wines beginning in 2011. Gary Pisoni (head guy and viticulturist), Jeff Pisoni (winemaker), Mark and Quinn Pisoni (managers) and assistant winemaker Michael Zardo make up the team.
The inaugural vintage was 2000. Two Pinot Noirs are produced: a Santa Lucia Highlands appellation blend using fruit from Garys' and Pisoni Vineyards (often a 50/50 mix) and a single-vineyard wine from Garys' Vineyard. The barrel-fermented Chardonnay from Pisoni Vineyards is a blend from multiple blocks, one of which is 30 years old. Although the names Pisoni and Lucia are known for Pinot Noir, I have really been impressed by this Chardonnay year in and year out. A Lucia Sobranes Vineyard Chardonnay was offered with the 2010 vintage.
Lucia wines are sold through a mailing list and select retail distribution.
Articles About Lucia Vineyards & Winery
2012 Chardonnay All-Americans (9.17 12/26/2012)
2019 California Pinot Noir All-Americans (11.49 8/1/2019)
Blush Pinot Noir is a REAL Wine (6.59 5/26/2008)
Elite California Pinot Noir Vineyards Part III: Central Coast - Santa Lucia Highlands (12.22 9/18/2021)
Garys’ Vineyard 2004 Horizontal Tasting (7.21 7/9/2009)
Mining for Very Good Over-$30 Pinot:Upping the Ante (8.32 3/1/2011)
Monterey County: Great Pinot Values (7.25 9/5/2009)
On the California Wine Trail (9.13 10/26/2012)
On the Pinot Trail: WOPN 2010 (8.13 4/8/2010)
Recent Chardonnays to Recommend (8.37 5/13/2011)
Recently Tasted Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (10.46 1/15/2017)
Recently Tasted Pinot Noir from A to W (12.18 5/20/2021)
Recommended Chardonnays (9.5 4/4/2012)
Rosella's, Garys & Pisoni Comparative Tasting (9.6 4/18/2012)
Russian River Valley: Pisoni/Lucia, Cattleya, Benovia, Furthermore & Small Vines (11.44 6/2/2019)
Sips of California Chardonnay & A Few Other Whites (9.26 6/23/2013)
The Holy Trinity of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir (9.6 4/18/2012)
Reviewed Wines
2019 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $.
·
Dark garnet color in the glass.
Reserved, but pleasant aromas of blackberry and spiced black cherry. Full-bodied in style with a plethora of
dark red, purple and black fruits. Excellent fruit purity, charming and seamless with a polished finish of some
length. A healthy backbone of tannin corrals the rich fruit.
Score: 93.
Reviewed September 19, 2021
ARTICLE »
2019 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 1,60 cases, $45. Grown, produced and bottled by
The Pisoni Family, Rohnert Park, CA. Sourced from Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes vineyards. Native yeast
fermentation. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 40% new.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass.
Pleasing scents of black cherry, baking spice, and graham lead off. An easygoing, mid-weight style, with a
nuanced palate of purple berries, purple grape, spice, licorice, and toasty oak. Respectable harmony with
minimal tannins and some finish. A delightful AVA wine.
Score: 91.
Reviewed May 16, 2021
ARTICLE »
2019 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $70.
·
Dark garnet color in the
glass. The aromas of blackberries, spiced black cherries, and cold brew draw you in. Mid-weight plus in style
featuring an array of dark red and black fruits that show considerable purity and charm. An inviting backbone of
tannin creates a seamless balance. Impressive polish and finish. The vivid fruit longs for a protein
accompaniment.
Score: 93.
Reviewed May 16, 2021
ARTICLE »
2019 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 410 cases, $70. Vineyard is
located adjacent Garys’ Vineyard. Native yeast fermentation. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 40% new.
·
Dark garnet color in the glass. Reserved, but pleasant aromas of purple and black berries and peat. Full-bodied
in a fruit-driven style with a core of grape jam, boysenberry, blackberry fruit flavors. A flood of fruit
goodness embellishes the mid-palate and the modestly long finish. There is a compliment of tannin that
supports the fruit load nicely.
Score: 92.
Reviewed May 16, 2021
ARTICLE »
2015 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 375 ml format tasted, around $45. A blend of
grapes from Pisoni and Soberanes vineyards. A combination of eight low-yielding Chardonnay clones, mostly
Old Wente selections. Native yeast fermentation, some modest whole cluster, and aged in carefully selected
French oak barrels. Aged 10 months in about one-third new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderate
golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Leading off are aromas of yellow applesauce, pear, lemon oil and
buttered toast. Highly engaging, with delicious flavors of apple, pear, pineapple and lemon and a soft touch of
oak. Bursting with flavor, yet crisp and lively.
Score: 90.
Reviewed January 16, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 375 ml format tasted, around $45. A blend of
grapes from Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes vineyards. Native yeast fermentation and aging 10 months in
French oak barrels, about 50% new.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very inviting aromas of cherry,
red berry, exotic spice and warm brioche. Succulent flavors of red and purple berries with a welcome touch of
oak in the background. Elegant in demeanor, yet highly flavorful, with good drive in the mouth, juicy acidity and
a finish that lingers appealingly. An impressive appellation wine that is very easy to like at this young age.
Score: 90.
Reviewed January 16, 2017
ARTICLE »
2011 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.2% alc., $39.
From the Pisoni family who are better known for Pinot Noir but their
Chardonnays are first rate. Year in and year out, one of my favorite
California Chardonnays (and well-priced too).
·
Light straw color and clear
in the glass. A perfect blend of fruit and oak-driven aromas and flavors
featuring citrus, pear, crème brûlée, honey and caramel. Nothing stands
out and the wine is in perfect focus, indicating impeccable winemaking.
No quarter given to the French.
Reviewed June 23, 2013
ARTICLE »
2010 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., $40.
Sourced from three small blocks at Pisoni Vineyards and vinified by Jeff
Pisoni. Few wine connoisseurs are aware of the tiny amount of
Chardonnay on the Pisoni property that was originally planted in 1982.
·
Light straw color in the glass. Aromas and flavors of baked pear, crème
brûlée, pineapple and lemony citrus. A moderately rich style made with
full malolactic barrel fermentation and barrel aging sur lie. Fresh,
satisfying and thoroughly user friendly, displaying perfect integration of oak and
overall impeccable balance. One of my favorite California Chardonnays and a
great value.
Reviewed October 26, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.5% alc., $45. Inaugural bottling
from this vineyard.
·
Light straw color in the glass. Aromas of apple, roasted nuts, fresh brioche and lemon
curd. Mid weight flavors of baked apple with a hint of citrus. Slightly creamy and smooth on the palate with
juicy finishing acidity. Very good
Reviewed April 4, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 435
cases, $40. Produced from three small blacks at Pisoni Vineyard planted in 1982 using a prestigious Montrachet selection from a famous producer in Burgundy. Unfiltered.
·
Light golden straw color and clear in the glass. Nicely
perfumed with aromas of pears, papaya, banana and brioche. Delicious
flavors of pears, creme brulee, white peaches and light caramels. Soft
and slight creamy with no hard edges and commendable balance. Fruit
is emphasized over acidity. Will have many fans. Very good.
Reviewed May 15, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., $35. From three small blocks at Pisoni
Vineyards. Few connoisseurs are aware of the tiny parcels of Chardonnay on the property. Originally
planted in 19082, these old Chardonnay vines prosper in the cool climate.
·
Medium straw color in the
glass. Aromas of ripe pears, pineapple and honeyed biscuit. Delicious baked pear, apple pie and
toasted brioche flavors with a citrus high note in the background. Smooth and silky with some
persistence on the finish. A warmer climate style not particularly high in acid or minerality but thoroughly
delightful.
Reviewed May 15, 2011
ARTICLE »
2008 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 550 cases, $40. From Garys’ and Pisoni
vineyards, about 50% each.
·
Deep, dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Ripe and raisiny nose with scents of
porto and sassafras. The flavors follow in step in this well-balanced wine that is appealingly soft in the mouth.
Decent.
Reviewed March 2, 2011
ARTICLE »
2007 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.5% alc..
·
The aromas are primarily oakderived
showing roasted coffee and dark chocolate. Darkly fruity and chunky, a bit rustic, with a prominent
chocolate flavor that should appeal to many. Has healthy tannins to stand up to hearty fare. Good.
Reviewed April 8, 2010
ARTICLE »
2007 Lucy Santa Lucia Highlands Rosé of Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $16. From Lucia Vineyards.
·
Moderately deep pink color. Smoky wild berry aromas with some matchstick showing up. Red berry
flavors with smoky overtones and a brambly green herbal note. A decent drink, but quite quirky for a
rosé.
Reviewed May 26, 2008
ARTICLE »
2007 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $34. From
the Pisoni family vineyards.
·
Powerful and very sexy deep berry and black
cherry aromas with whiffs of roses and vanillin. Satisfying core of
raspberry and blueberry fruit flavors with some persistence on the back
end. Nicely balanced with reserved tannins and a soft texture. Highly
recommended for an introduction to the gout de terroir of this appellation.
Reviewed September 5, 2009
ARTICLE »
2004 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.8% alc..
·
Fairly deep reddish-purple
color. Fresh and pure aromas of black cherries. A masculine wine that retains notable oak but the black cherry
core remains impressive and the alcohol remains submerged.
Reviewed July 9, 2009
ARTICLE »
2019 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Reserved, but pleasant aromas of blackberry and spiced black cherry. Full-bodied in style with a plethora of dark red, purple and black fruits. Excellent fruit purity, charming and seamless with a polished finish of some length. A healthy backbone of tannin corrals the rich fruit. Score: 93. Reviewed September 19, 2021 ARTICLE »
2019 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 1,60 cases, $45. Grown, produced and bottled by The Pisoni Family, Rohnert Park, CA. Sourced from Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes vineyards. Native yeast fermentation. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Pleasing scents of black cherry, baking spice, and graham lead off. An easygoing, mid-weight style, with a nuanced palate of purple berries, purple grape, spice, licorice, and toasty oak. Respectable harmony with minimal tannins and some finish. A delightful AVA wine. Score: 91. Reviewed May 16, 2021 ARTICLE »
2019 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $70. · Dark garnet color in the glass. The aromas of blackberries, spiced black cherries, and cold brew draw you in. Mid-weight plus in style featuring an array of dark red and black fruits that show considerable purity and charm. An inviting backbone of tannin creates a seamless balance. Impressive polish and finish. The vivid fruit longs for a protein accompaniment. Score: 93. Reviewed May 16, 2021 ARTICLE »
2019 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 410 cases, $70. Vineyard is located adjacent Garys’ Vineyard. Native yeast fermentation. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Reserved, but pleasant aromas of purple and black berries and peat. Full-bodied in a fruit-driven style with a core of grape jam, boysenberry, blackberry fruit flavors. A flood of fruit goodness embellishes the mid-palate and the modestly long finish. There is a compliment of tannin that supports the fruit load nicely. Score: 92. Reviewed May 16, 2021 ARTICLE »
2015 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 375 ml format tasted, around $45. A blend of grapes from Pisoni and Soberanes vineyards. A combination of eight low-yielding Chardonnay clones, mostly Old Wente selections. Native yeast fermentation, some modest whole cluster, and aged in carefully selected French oak barrels. Aged 10 months in about one-third new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Leading off are aromas of yellow applesauce, pear, lemon oil and buttered toast. Highly engaging, with delicious flavors of apple, pear, pineapple and lemon and a soft touch of oak. Bursting with flavor, yet crisp and lively. Score: 90. Reviewed January 16, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 375 ml format tasted, around $45. A blend of grapes from Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes vineyards. Native yeast fermentation and aging 10 months in French oak barrels, about 50% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very inviting aromas of cherry, red berry, exotic spice and warm brioche. Succulent flavors of red and purple berries with a welcome touch of oak in the background. Elegant in demeanor, yet highly flavorful, with good drive in the mouth, juicy acidity and a finish that lingers appealingly. An impressive appellation wine that is very easy to like at this young age. Score: 90. Reviewed January 16, 2017 ARTICLE »
2011 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.2% alc., $39. From the Pisoni family who are better known for Pinot Noir but their Chardonnays are first rate. Year in and year out, one of my favorite California Chardonnays (and well-priced too). · Light straw color and clear in the glass. A perfect blend of fruit and oak-driven aromas and flavors featuring citrus, pear, crème brûlée, honey and caramel. Nothing stands out and the wine is in perfect focus, indicating impeccable winemaking. No quarter given to the French. Reviewed June 23, 2013 ARTICLE »
2010 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., $40. Sourced from three small blocks at Pisoni Vineyards and vinified by Jeff Pisoni. Few wine connoisseurs are aware of the tiny amount of Chardonnay on the Pisoni property that was originally planted in 1982. · Light straw color in the glass. Aromas and flavors of baked pear, crème brûlée, pineapple and lemony citrus. A moderately rich style made with full malolactic barrel fermentation and barrel aging sur lie. Fresh, satisfying and thoroughly user friendly, displaying perfect integration of oak and overall impeccable balance. One of my favorite California Chardonnays and a great value. Reviewed October 26, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.5% alc., $45. Inaugural bottling from this vineyard. · Light straw color in the glass. Aromas of apple, roasted nuts, fresh brioche and lemon curd. Mid weight flavors of baked apple with a hint of citrus. Slightly creamy and smooth on the palate with juicy finishing acidity. Very good Reviewed April 4, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., 435 cases, $40. Produced from three small blacks at Pisoni Vineyard planted in 1982 using a prestigious Montrachet selection from a famous producer in Burgundy. Unfiltered. · Light golden straw color and clear in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of pears, papaya, banana and brioche. Delicious flavors of pears, creme brulee, white peaches and light caramels. Soft and slight creamy with no hard edges and commendable balance. Fruit is emphasized over acidity. Will have many fans. Very good. Reviewed May 15, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
14.1% alc., $35. From three small blocks at Pisoni Vineyards. Few connoisseurs are aware of the tiny parcels of Chardonnay on the property. Originally planted in 19082, these old Chardonnay vines prosper in the cool climate. · Medium straw color in the glass. Aromas of ripe pears, pineapple and honeyed biscuit. Delicious baked pear, apple pie and toasted brioche flavors with a citrus high note in the background. Smooth and silky with some persistence on the finish. A warmer climate style not particularly high in acid or minerality but thoroughly delightful. Reviewed May 15, 2011 ARTICLE »
2008 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 550 cases, $40. From Garys’ and Pisoni vineyards, about 50% each. · Deep, dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Ripe and raisiny nose with scents of porto and sassafras. The flavors follow in step in this well-balanced wine that is appealingly soft in the mouth. Decent. Reviewed March 2, 2011 ARTICLE »
2007 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.5% alc.. · The aromas are primarily oakderived showing roasted coffee and dark chocolate. Darkly fruity and chunky, a bit rustic, with a prominent chocolate flavor that should appeal to many. Has healthy tannins to stand up to hearty fare. Good. Reviewed April 8, 2010 ARTICLE »
2007 Lucy Santa Lucia Highlands Rosé of Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $16. From Lucia Vineyards. · Moderately deep pink color. Smoky wild berry aromas with some matchstick showing up. Red berry flavors with smoky overtones and a brambly green herbal note. A decent drink, but quite quirky for a rosé. Reviewed May 26, 2008 ARTICLE »
2007 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., $34. From the Pisoni family vineyards. · Powerful and very sexy deep berry and black cherry aromas with whiffs of roses and vanillin. Satisfying core of raspberry and blueberry fruit flavors with some persistence on the back end. Nicely balanced with reserved tannins and a soft texture. Highly recommended for an introduction to the gout de terroir of this appellation. Reviewed September 5, 2009 ARTICLE »
2004 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.8% alc.. · Fairly deep reddish-purple color. Fresh and pure aromas of black cherries. A masculine wine that retains notable oak but the black cherry core remains impressive and the alcohol remains submerged. Reviewed July 9, 2009 ARTICLE »