Lucia represents exploration. At Lucia, the Pisoni family illustrates the diversity of their region by crafting wines from three different estate-farmed and unique vineyards within the Santa Lucia Highlands: Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes Vineyards.
2018 Lucia, Garys’ Vineyard Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands, California
the VINTAGE
2018 was an excellent year for grape growers and winemakers. We had enough rain in winter, moderate temperatures in spring and summer, and an excellent harvest to look toward in fall. The Santa Lucia Highlands received 8 inches of rain--less than average, but sufficient for the vines and very welcome after several drought years. Budbreak began on March 15th and was followed by more spring showers on the 21st, adding nicely to soil moisture. In spring, temperatures remained moderate. Growers kept their fingers crossed, hoping to avoid summer heat spikes. This season was also temperate, with highs lower than we’ve seen in years. Our characteristic wind and fog persisted, too. Vine growth was slow because of the cool weather; and veraison, when grapes turn from green to purple, long. We performed more than the usual number of “green harvests” to drop fruit and encourage uniform ripening. The weather stayed cool up to fall. Because the fruit developed so gradually, we sampled and tasted more than we typically do. Throughout the slow, steady ripening and exceptional weather, we waited with great anticipation to bring in fruit as soon--but not before--it was ready. Our Chardonnay grapes were harvested first, beginning on September 12. On the 13th we also began harvesting Pinot Noir, and continued to do so through October 8th, timing each vineyard block according to its own readiness. The resulting wines are beautiful, with great acidity, freshness, concentration, and tannin development.
the VINEYARD
Garys’ Vineyard has been named “one of the most famous vineyards in California” by Lettie Teague in the Wall Street Journal. It is a joint venture between Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni, two native growers of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Pinot Noir and Syrah grapes have enjoyed long, slow growing seasons in this 50-acre parcel since 1997. The vineyard’s position on a sloping hillside in the center of the 16-mile long appellation offers a true representation of the Santa Lucia Highlands: alluvial soils with heavy fog and strong, cold winds in the summer.
the WINEMAKING
The Pisoni Family is committed to raising and hand-crafting exceptional wines. The limited-production Lucia wines are created using classic, gentle and thoughtful winemaking techniques. Hand-picked and sorted grapes are fermented with native yeast and aged in carefully selected French oak barrels. Our state-of-the-art winemaking facility uses gravity flow as part of a custom design conceived to merge the estate vineyards and winery. This affords us complete control of the farming and winemaking process, ensuring consistently superior quality.
TASTING NOTES
A shimmering darkness at its near black core, the 2018 Lucia Garys’ Vineyard Syrah exudes richness. Classically Syrah in every aspect, this wine strikes a powerful balance in both purity of fruit, and dried, savory notes. With each swirl in the glass, blueberry and blackberry tart rush forward, opening the door for complex notes of licorice, clove, and new leather, to deliver a flowering bouquet of concentrated aromatics. Ample use of whole clusters during fermentation combined with aging in 132–gallon puncheon barrels adds structure, and well-integrated tannin to an already age-worthy wine. Not to be outdone, fresh, vibrant acidity born from the fog drenched Santa Lucia Highlands provides a long finish to every sip.
| Cases Produced | 121 |
|---|---|
| Retail Price | $55 |
| Release Date | Summer 2020 |
| Winemaker | Jeff Pisoni |
| Barrel Aging | 15 months in 50% New Oak |
|---|---|
| Barrel Origin | 100% French Oak |
| Whole Cluster | 70% |
| Fermentation | 100% Native Yeast |
2018 Lucia, Pinot Noir 
2018 Lucia, Soberanes Vineyard Syrah 
2017 Lucia, Garys’ Vineyard Syrah