With generations of farming history in Monterey County, and a commitment to making exceptional wines, the Pisoni Family hand-crafts the Lucia wines from the Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes Vineyards of the Santa Lucia Highlands.
2019 Lucia, Soberanes Vineyard Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands, California
the 2019 Vintage
The beautiful weather and mild seasons of 2018 continued into 2019, cultivating another excellent year for grape growers and winemakers. The 2019 vintage saw 15.2” of winter rainfall. This is dry by most region’s standards, but a very nice amount for the Santa Lucia Highlands. It provided good soil moisture to start the season. Budbreak began late due to the lengthy cold front in February and March, which brought snowfall to the tops of the Santa Lucia mountain range. As the season transitioned into summer, the canopies were strong and the weather remained cool with heavy fog. Verasion developed late but progressed quickly as temperatures rose. This was beneficial in creating a consistent level of development and ripeness. 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
The Soberanes Vineyard is the latest joint venture between the Pisoni and Franscioni families. Situated on the Santa Lucia Highlands Bench adjacent to the Garys’ Vineyard and recently named “one of the appellation’s most esteemed properties” by the Wine Enthusiast, the site features tightly spaced vines and is planted to 33 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. The clonal material planted in the loamy, rocky soil is very diverse and features over a dozen of the most renowned heritage selections from California and Burgundy.
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 defining example of terroir, the 2019 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Chardonnay is the textbook iteration of what this unique Santa Lucia Highlands vineyard can produce. Beaming from rim to core with a pale lemon hue, this wine displays bright notes of Meyer lemon and white peach on the nose, but it is the distinct undertones of wet stone and crushed rock that transport the senses to the rocky soils of this famed vineyard. Here, the vines struggle in the nutrient poor soils, creating depth of flavor and great complexity. Notes of green apple, lemon curd, and crisp pear dance on the palate, pairing gracefully with texture and weight from undisturbed sur-lie aging of 15 months in French oak barrels and foudre. As this wine begins to breathe, the palate becomes broad and expansive, though its focus is maintained by refreshing, balanced acidity.
| Cases Produced | 215 |
|---|---|
| Retail Price | $65 |
| Release Date | Spring 2021 |
| Winemaker | Jeff Pisoni |
| Barrel Aging | 15 months in 43% New Oak |
|---|---|
| Barrel Origin | 100% French Oak |
| Fermentation | 100% Native Yeast |
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