The Pisoni Family announces the 2013 Spring release of their Lucia wines. This release consists of the 2011 vintages of Lucia Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah from the Soberanes Vineyard. Two of these wines are inaugural releases from the new and much anticipated Soberanes Vineyard. Also released are the Santa Lucia Highlands cuvées of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. For more information, visit http://www.luciavineyards.com

1. the pisoni family treasures tradi-
tion, while welcoming opportunities to
build upon and sustain values close to the
heart. The new Lucia labels honor our long-term commitment
and love of the land by featuring illustrations of the vineyards
from which the fruit was sourced.
soberanes vineyard—and the vines
that produced its 2011 lucia pinot
noir, chardonnay and syrah—
may be young, but Pisoni farming wisdom stretches back more
than a century.

2. Almost 250 years ago, José María Soberanes marched
from Mexico to Monterey Bay with the famed
Portolá expedition. He camped on a barren brown
plain, battered by winds and dust storms, at the foot
of the brooding Sierra de Santa Lucía. The explor-
ers called this place El Campo Real del Chocolate
or Chocolate Camp. Most likely, the 16-year-old
never dreamed that one day he would have a son
who would acquire this land of dark, rocky soil as
repayment for 40 horses, 50 head of cattle, 4 oxen
and some sheep. Or that a vineyard planted there
centuries later would bear his name.
soberanes vineyard
tie a pinot ribbon round the ole oak tree
Two farmers make their daily drive down a country road. While checking one of their
fields, they look at the adjacent cow pasture and get an idea. Sounds like the beginning
of a bad joke, doesn’t it?
But the late Eddie Pisoni and his grandson Mark knew exactly what to do with that cow
pasture: plant Pinot Noir. It wasn’t just any cow pasture, but a perfectly sited one right
next to Garys’ Vineyard, famed for growing the finicky grape.
Sitting on the Santa Lucia Highlands bench about nine miles north of Pisoni Vineyards
and a stone’s throw from Garys’ Vineyard, the site had so much potential. Blanketed by
fog every morning and at about 400 feet in elevation, the grazing land experienced con-
ditions that contribute to the slow, even ripening of grapes. And because the pasture was
next to the Garys’ Vineyard, a joint venture between Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni,
farming another 40 acres should be relatively easy.
Easy except for the 20 or so coast live oaks on the property. After the Pisoni and Franscioni
families negotiated with the Bianchis, the descendents of José María Soberanes, they
ripped the ground with the old tractor that Eddie bought in 1952 when he founded
Pisoni Farms—carefully skirting the stately oaks.
“I absolutely love all the oak trees at our Soberanes Vineyard,” says viticulturist Mark
Pisoni (above with father Gary). “They are beautiful, and I knew our vines would coexist
and create a more diverse ecosystem.”
Similar to practices in Burgundy, Mark tightened the spacing between the Pinot Noir
cuttings to provide more plants per acre. As a result, the plants don’t grow as large and
produce fewer clusters, which enhances the flavor of the grapes.
The fruit of the 2011 Lucia Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir came of age next to California
oaks long before the wine aged in French oak barrels. ■

3. “I’m not sure I can do that,” mused Jim Mullinary from his small Caterpillar tractor.
He looked at the knoll on the Soberanes Vineyard, where he was to cut the 8-foot wide
terraces that would become the multi-tiered home of the Syrah vines.
Gary Pisoni’s voice boomed back, “Complete the job, and I’ll give you a case of wine
from this block for life!”
Slowly and cautiously, the Caterpillar curved along the hillside. By nightfall, the 2.75-
acre job was finished.
The Syrah block benefits from the knowledge gained from planting the Pisoni and
Garys’ vineyards—some 25 individual blocks spanning 95 acres. New budwood, heri-
tage clonal material, was sourced from a premier California Syrah site. Running due
north and south, the row direction of all the vines at the Soberanes Vineyard provides
for the most uniform sun exposure. The incline of the terraced slopes also allows for
more direct sunlight on the vines.
Mark discusses the challenges of growing the variety in Wines and Vines magazine. The
third-generation farmer notes, “One big challenge with Syrah is ensuring it ripens.
Oftentimes our region is really on the fringe of being able to ripen this variety. Our
Syrah is typically harvested the last week in October or first week in November. We
invest a great deal of effort to help it along.”
The once-popular song, “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be),” may not be
grammatically correct in Spanish or any language, but the sentiment seems appropriate
for Salinas Valley growers. Always grappling with unpredictable conditions, they know
uncertainty. The future’s not theirs to see. But the combined farming experience of the
Pisoni and Franscioni families offers the Syrah vines, clinging to the hillside terraces of
the Soberanes Vineyard, the best future possible.
And Gary Pisoni will happily keep his promise. ■
Ask Alberto Patino and Raul Raya what type of soil the Chardonnay vines at the
Soberanes Vineyard are planted in, and they will quickly reply pura piedras or “all rock.”
Only a handful of the strongest members of the vineyard team could pound the metal
grape stakes into the earth. Often a stake would bend before even piercing the granite-
laden ground, and a second or third steel post would be needed to get the job done.
Stake by stake, plant by plant, for months Alberto,
Raul and a few others worked to plant the eight acres of
Chardonnay at the Soberanes Vineyard. Layers of igne-
ous rocks made that plot of ground the most difficult the
vineyard team had ever planted. But all those rocks were
exactly what winemaker Jeff Pisoni (right) wanted for his
Chardonnay.
“Our 2011 Lucia Soberanes Chardonnay is very exciting
and a direct reflection of what I see when I look at the
soil in the vineyard,” Jeff enthuses. “The aromatics leap
out of the glass, and the minerality and bright acidity are
in perfect balance.”
A recent issue of Wine Business Monthly features Jeff as
one of the “distinguished winemakers from distinctive
regions” that produce premium Chardonnay. The eight
other notable winemakers participated in a blind tasting of Lucia Chardonnay, using
descriptors such as “a nice mineral character” (Gianni Abate of Morgan), “well balanced,
round and well structured” (Lee Hudson of Hudson Vineyards) and “layered and com-
plex” (James Hall of Patz & Hall).
The comments suggest that Chardonnay sourced from Soberanes Vineyard starts with
very well-grounded vines. ■
chards of rock
que syrah syrah
Photo credit: Rachel Balunsat

4. soberanes vineyard selections
2011 lucia soberanes vineyard chardonnay
The green/gold-hued Lucia Soberanes Chardonnay has a laser-like focus
of mineral and citrus driven notes. The aromatics entice the taster to swirl
and watch the beautiful perfume unfold. Undertones in the bouquet
consist of almond skin, crème brûlée and orange blossom. The palate is
extra-long and layered, flowing together into a seamless and drawn-out
finish with refreshing acid structure. Drink now or age for a decade.
2011 lucia soberanes vineyard pinot noir
The remarkably pure and focused notes are like a beam of boysenberries
and spring flowers that leap out to the taster. This Pinot Noir embodies
the emerging hallmark of the Soberanes Vineyard wines: simultaneous-
ly rich but delicate and perfumed aromatics. The palate is broad with
supple tannins but still light on its feet with some hints of Bing cherry,
almond skin and mineral notes. The finish is long and shows bright acid-
ity. Drink now through 2020.
2011 lucia soberanes vineyard syrah
The dark purple-hued Syrah emits a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers.
This Syrah is very expressive and complex with subsequent aromatics
of baking spice, Earl Grey tea, boysenberry and then more and more
violets. On the palate the wine is full-bodied with endless layers of fine-
grained tannins giving the most velvety and elegant finish. Will easily
age for a decade.
santa lucia highlands cuvées
2011 lucia chardonnay
The Lucia “Santa Lucia Highlands” cuvée is bright yellow-gold in color.
The aromatics are expressive and focus around lemon zest, brioche, floral
notes and vibrant citrus. Full-bodied, the palate has a supple texture with
highlights of white peach and fresh pineapple that lead into a crisp finish.
Drink now through 2017.
2011 lucia pinot noir
Exuberant and bright, the Lucia “Santa Lucia Highlands” cuvée of Pinot
Noir is loaded with red fruits: cherry, ripe pomegranate, wild raspber-
ry and slight baking spice and forest floor. The palate is expansive and
rich without being heavy. Gentle tannins act as framework, as the wine
stretches out into a fine finish. The 2011 reds display a sense of bright
fruits leaning more to the red side and full-bodied textures without be-
ing heavy.
rosé
2012 lucy rosé of pinot noir
Light strawberry in color, the Lucy 2012 starts off with an inviting sum-
mer feeling of near-ripe watermelon, wild strawberry, peach and floral
notes. The palate is full and flavorful with a lively and dry finish. Serve
chilled with a variety of dishes or as an aperitif. Although the wine will
age, drink within one to two years for maximum freshness and vibrancy.
Lucia Vineyards & Winery
P.O. Box 908
Gonzales, CA 93926
ph: 800.946.3130
fax: 831.675.2557
www.luciavineyards.com
Spring 2013
Writer: Susan Pisoni Tavernetti
Design: Erin Randolph
Photography: Richard Green
and the Pisoni Family
release schedule
We are changing the way that
we release our Pisoni and
Lucia wines to emphasize
our dedication and long-term
commitment to each of our
three Santa Lucia Highlands
vineyards. Beginning with this
newsletter, our wines will be
offered according to the vine-
yard from which the grapes are
sourced:
• Spring: Soberanes Vineyard
wines and Lucia “Santa
Lucia Highlands” cuvées
• Summer: Garys’ Vineyard
wines
• Fall: Pisoni Vineyards wines