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.
2021 Lucia Chardonnay Estate Cuvée
the Vintage
The 2021 growing season in the Santa Lucia Highlands was cool, calm, and collected – a trifecta of traits that is welcomed by any grape grower or winemaker. The winter months were dry overall, receiving only about seven inches of rainfall, and forcing vines to reach deep into the rocky soils beneath them. Seemingly a reminder to be careful what you wish for, the rain was welcomed but not easy to predict. Four of the seven inches came at the end of January, keeping the team on their toes to manage erosion and flooding in the mountain vineyards. Buds broke a week or so later than normal, near the end of March, likely due to the preceding cold winter temperatures. Spring fever and slow growth forced the team to exercise patience and diligence amongst the vines. The Summer followed with mild temperatures, and the vines continued to grow with shorter canopies due to low winter rainfall. It was decided early on to remove extra shoots to create a smaller vine to ensure fruit would fully ripen. Smaller canopies and cooperative weather in the Fall allowed for a gentle harvest, with little stress to rush until the last week of September when temperatures began to rise. Overall, yields were above average with cluster weights staying consistent throughout harvest. The resulting wines are a stunning reflection of a year of cooperation from & collaboration with mother nature, impeccable attention in the vineyards, and exceptional care in the cellar.
the Vineyard
Grown exclusively from our Pisoni and Soberanes vineyards, the Lucia Estate Cuvée of Chardonnay is a wonderful representation of our estate vineyards, of which each block is cultivated to the same high standards. These wines offer excellent value, and Jeb Dunnuck has previously described these AVA blends as “a perfect example of the incredible quality that’s consistently coming from this estate.”
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
The Lucia Estate Cuvée Chardonnay is always a unique opportunity to showcase the harmony that is created by blending lots from two vineyards. This wine’s impressive richness is first detected through notes of spiced red apple, honeysuckle, peach blossom, and crème brulée as they escape the confines of the glass. As this cuvée graces the palate, the 58% Soberanes Vineyard component shines with mineral driven notes of crushed rock and citrus flavors of lemon peel, while the Pisoni Vineyard 42% makes its mark with a phenolic texture and concentrated notes of Bosc pear and white peach. This balanced Chardonnay finishes spectacularly with crisp acidity, hints of toasty brioche, and undeniable texture from 10 months of aging in 35% new French oak.
| Cases Produced | 396 |
|---|---|
| Retail Price | $50 |
| Release Date | Spring 2023 |
| Winemaker | Jeff Pisoni |
| Barrel Aging | 11 month in 35% New Oak |
|---|---|
| Barrel Origin | 100% French Oak |
| Fermentation | 100% Native Yeast |
Soil, The Foundation of Winemaking: 
Block by Block: Farming Pisoni Vineyards 
Gary Pisoni’s Relentless Pursuit of