Blogs

July 2014

From the Ground Up

Our grapevines are on the fast track.  We’re about four weeks ahead of schedule so we’re starting shoot removal, hedging, leaf removal, and spraying for mildew control.  Irrigation is on our minds this year.  We will make it but we do have a water crisis and we really need rains this coming winter.  Supplies are low and wells are producing less.  

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June, 2014

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

As always, I blame Mother Nature!  A very short winter followed by a warm spring puts us about three weeks ahead of schedule.  Most of the varieties look very good.  Unusual heat hurt the fruit set in some of our Sangiovese and Syrah, but overall I am very pleased at this point.  Harvest in 80 days.

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May, 2014

From the Ground Up
We have had a different kind of a winter with not much of anything in the way of frost, rain, or cold.  Our vines look great.  Our water supply so far is holding steady, and it looks like we’re going to have an early harvest.  
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Andy Moore and Louis Lucas on the 2014 Lucas & Lewellen Wine Cruise

April, 2014

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman
Last year’s 2013 vintage looks to be one of the better vintages.  The wines are showing much promise.  It always helps to have perfect growing and weather conditions during harvest.  Varieties like Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Sangiovese, which cannot tolerate wet weather, were picked at optimal levels thanks to the beautiful fall.  Next year we will get our first chance to visit this vintage.
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Vine pruning with the Dirtman, 2014

March, 2014

From the Ground Up
We finished pruning last week,  about three weeks ahead of schedule.  This was necessary because of the warm winter that we have been experiencing, so warm that bud break has already begun.
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Pruning a Row with the Dirtman 2014

February, 2014

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman
This is the 10 Year Anniversary of the Toccata Tasting Room.  We have special plans on March 8th.  With 10 being the magic number, we will have some 10 dollar wine specials on various wines, like the 2010 Classico we’re adding to your shipment this month.  Interest in our Italian wines has grown.  No longer unknown, they’re making their mark both in our Tasting Room and in the marketplace. 
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January, 2014

From the Ground Up
I’m only starting my 44th year of growing grapes in Santa Barbara County.  I am more excited today than I was back then!
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December, 2013

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman
In my 40 some years growing grapes in Santa Barbara County, I haven’t seen two back-to-back years that reached this level in volume and quality.  I credit the weather and also the condition of our vineyards.  When Mother Nature leaves you alone during harvest, and you’re able to pick almost everything at optimum, it’s something special.  
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Toccata at Christmas. Photo by Lucinda Williams

November, 2013

From the Ground Up
Harvest 2013 is over!  For the first time in 42 years, we had large crops back to back and outstanding weather that enabled us to pick our grapes at optimum levels of maturity.  2012 and 2013 will be superior vintage years.
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October, 2013

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman
With today’s picking, we are starting on the second half of harvest 2013.  We farmers always talk about the weather.  It is THE controlling factor in many cases and this year is no different.  With little rain since December, a nice spring, good summer, and a few heat spikes, the crop is almost is large as last year’s bumper crop of 2012. 
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