Lucia in the Sky
White, rosé, and red bottlings from Lucy Wines, with profits to charity
Lucy is the second label of Lucia Vineyards, the brainchild of Gary Pisoni, son of commercial farmers in the Salinas Valley. In 1982, Pisoni was one of the first to plant vines high in the Santa Lucia Highlands, the rugged ridge that runs along the valley’s western flank.
The region is washed by Pacific fog, and the breezes are constant and cooling. Pisoni’s vineyards are east-facing, catching morning light but protected by the highland ridges from late afternoon heat. Grapes ripen slowly so hang times are long.
After enjoying success with his first five acres, Pisoni added another seventeen and began selling fruit to local vintners. In 2000, he and his sons, Mark and Jeff, started bottling their own wine under the Lucia label. Today they produce Pinot noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah from three vineyard sites.
The Lucy Wines are meant as an approachable, affordable entrée to the estate’s production. Below are my notes on the Lucy Pico Blanco, Pinot noir Rosé, and Gamay noir, all from the 2025 vintage. They are delicious, and as a bonus the family donates $1 from the sale of each wine to a designated charity. I’ve also paired each wine with one of my original paintings that matches its sensibilities.
