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.
2023 Lucia Pinot Noir, Soberanes 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
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
Soberanes Vineyard is famed for its voluminous, yet delicate aromatics, and this year is no different. On the nose, one notices soft floral tones such as violets and rose petal interlaced with cassis and Black Ruby plums. The palate has great balance, with rich flavors balanced by a careful acidity. Whole cluster fermentation is utilized again with this vintage and incorporates added complexity and delicacy. Fine tannins dance among the floral notes to create harmonious structure and elegance, in a bottling that is quintessential Soberanes Vineyard. The richly-layered structure is approachable for enjoying now, yet balanced for aging in the cellar.
| Cases Produced | 394 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | Winter 2025 |
| Winemaker | Jeff Pisoni |
| Barrel Aging | 11 months in 45% New Oak |
|---|---|
| Barrel Origin | 100% French Oak |
| Fermentation | 100% Native Yeast |
Explore
Patience & Time: Winter 2024 Release
Gary Pisoni.
James Suckling Names Lucia