057: Jeff Pisoni - Pisoni and Lucia Vineyards
Hailing from the Pisoni family that helped put Santa Lucia Highlands on the winemaking map in California, Jeff Pisoni shares the story of his family's relationship with farming and the development of Gary's, Pisoni, and Soberanes, which supply grapes to numerous top end wineries across the state. Recounting clandestine attempts his father, Gary Pisoni, undertook to find water on the family ranch, Jeff shares how he and his brother, Mark Pisoni, grew up on the farm and now split the work with Mark managing vineyards and Jeff in charge of winemaking. Jeff describes some of the challenges of growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah in the Santa Lucia Highlands, and the ways he approaches the uniqueness that the grapes bring to his winemaking. The Pisoni Estate brand is focused exclusively on Pinot Noir. Jeff explains the creation of his family's other wines including Lucia Vineyards that encompass Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, and Luli Wines, which also includes a rose and Sauvignon blanc. LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Pisoni Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands Lucia Vineyards, Santa Lucia Highlands Luli Wines, Santa Lucia Highlands Gary's Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands Fort Ross Vineyard, Sonoma Coast Yeast and Bacteria analysis Panel from ETS Labs QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK: JIM@INSIDEWINEMAKING.COM The Inside Winemaking Podcast on iTunes And Stitcher Radio Too