Lucia is a small collection of wines crafted by the Pisoni family from the estate-farmed Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes Vineyards.
2023 Lucia Pinot Noir, Garys’ Vineyard
the Vintage
The 2023 vintage was a test of great patience. Winter began in the Santa Lucia Highlands with significant rainfall—at eighteen inches, it was the highest seen in recent history. Following this cold and wet winter, vines shot out with vigor and strength as spring arrived. Due to the abundant rainfall, soils were teaming with activity and we quickly recognized that the season would require more work than usual in the vineyard. The farming team began shoot thinning and dropping fruit earlier and more aggressively than usual to bring the vines into balance and reduce yields to ensure physiological development. Summer and fall followed with mild weather in the Santa Lucia Highlands. This made for very slow sugar accumulation and the added hang time contributed to intense phenolic and flavor development. With this mild weather, harvest was almost a full month later than the preceding vintage—the latest seen since 1999. Low yields were essential to receive full ripeness. The final month of the growing season required additional passes to remove leaves and green clusters. Being such a late vintage, we welcomed the additional sunlight to help ripen fruit. The long, cool season ensures a bright acidity, which when combined with the rugged soils and estate-farming practices, creates rich tannins. Wines from this vintage have a trademark of vibrance to them.
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. Garys’ Vineyard is planted exclusively to Pinot Noir, and the 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 deep ruby in the glass promises intensity that is delivered in this 2023 Lucia Pinot Noir from Garys’ Vineyard. Nearly thirty years old, this vineyard continues to settle into lower yields, creating great concentration of flavor. Decomposed granite soils make the vines work hard to survive and this tenacity is revealed through this complex yet structured bottling. Aromas of black cherry and plum leap from the glass, followed by hints of baking spice. Bursting flavor is balanced by firm tannins that give depth to this bottling. Drink now or cellar for 10+ years.
| Cases Produced | 758 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | Summer 2025 |
| Winemaker | Jeff Pisoni |
| Barrel Aging | 11 months in 53% New Oak |
|---|---|
| Barrel Origin | 100% French Oak |
| Whole Cluster | 15% |
| Fermentation | 100% Native Yeast |
Explore
Wine Enthusiast Praises Lucia and 
Sculpting Vines: The Art of Pruning 
The Long View on Fine Wine:Winter 2025 Release