Pisoni Vineyards & Winery
The Pisoni family craft some of California’s most sought-after Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, grown in the dramatic hillsides of the Santa Lucia Highlands. From their estate vineyards, including the famed Pisoni and Soberanes sites, they produce bold, expressive wines under the Lucia label - all hand-farmed and made with care by the family. These are wines of purity, structure, and provenance, made in tiny quantities and prized by collectors and sommeliers.
A Vineyard Above the Clouds
When Gary Pisoni first set out to plant Pinot Noir high in the Santa Lucia Highlands, many believed it couldn’t be done. The granite soils were so unforgiving that he resorted to dynamite to break ground and dug deep wells in search of water. But his vision paid off. Today, this dramatic vineyard site sits at 1,300 feet above sea level, cooled by constant Pacific fog and wind. The combination of rugged soils, extreme elevation, and a long, slow growing season results in wines with remarkable concentration, minerality, and vibrancy - now considered some of California’s finest.
From Farm to Fine Wine
The Pisoni family’s roots run deep in Monterey agriculture. Before vines, they farmed vegetables on the same land for generations. Today, that same hands-on care continues in the vineyard. Mark Pisoni leads the farming using sustainable methods, including cover crops and erosion control, while Jeff Pisoni crafts the wines using small-lot fermentations, native yeasts, and unfiltered bottling. From vine to bottle, this is a true family operation, focused on quality over quantity.
Wines of Depth, Purity and Place
From the soaring heights of the Pisoni Estate to the fog-kissed rows of Garys’ and Soberanes Vineyards, every Pisoni wine captures the essence of its origin. These are elegant yet powerful expressions of Santa Lucia Highlands fruit – always estate-grown, handcrafted, and uncompromising in quality. Whether it’s your first bottle or a treasured addition to the cellar, each wine delivers a true taste of place, family, and time.
Lucia: Purity and Power
The Lucia label represents the family’s appellation-driven wines - crafted from estate fruit at Pisoni, Garys’, and Soberanes vineyards. These are serious wines with generous fruit, precise acidity, and impressive structure. Chardonnay shows lifted citrus and white peach with creamy texture and drive. Pinot Noir delivers layers of red berries, tea leaf, and savoury spice. Made with the same care as their flagship bottlings, Lucia wines offer accessibility without compromise.
Precision from the Highlands
The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is a narrow, elevated strip above the Salinas Valley, known for its fog, wind, and granite soils. These elements slow ripening, extend the growing season, and allow grapes to develop complex flavours while retaining freshness. With yields kept low and harvesting done by hand, each vineyard block is farmed and vinified separately - ensuring precision and site expression in every wine.
Made with Intention, Not Intervention
From vineyard to bottle, every decision at Pisoni is guided by purpose. Winemaker Jeff Pisoni works in small lots, fermenting each block separately with native yeasts to preserve its character. Gentle extraction, ageing in carefully selected French oak, and bottling without fining or filtration allows the purity of the fruit to shine. It’s a thoughtful, low-intervention approach that captures the nuances of place – and delivers wines of clarity, balance and energy.
Acclaimed by Critics, Coveted by Collectors
The Pisoni name is spoken with reverence in California wine circles – and the critics agree. Jeb Dunnuck praises the Lucia range as “a perfect example of the incredible quality that’s consistently coming from this estate,” while the Pisoni Estate Pinot Noir routinely earns 95+ point scores from top publications. With low production, high demand, and a cult-like following, these wines offer both pedigree and collectability in equal measure.
Wines with a Cult Following
Pisoni wines are produced in limited quantities and have developed a devoted following among collectors, sommeliers, and winemakers alike. Allocations are tightly held, and each vintage is eagerly anticipated. The combination of scarcity, site-driven character, and consistent quality has made both the Pisoni Estate and Lucia ranges some of the most respected in California. These are cellar-worthy wines that speak to both place and pedigree.