Some wineries buy their grapes. Lucas and Lewellen grows nearly all of its own, across some of the most varied vineyard land in Santa Barbara County, the work of a man who has been planting vines here since the region was barely on the map.

A grower and a judge

Louis Lucas is one of Santa Barbara’s true grape-growing pioneers, with roots in farming the county’s vineyards going back to the early 1970s. He partnered with Royce Lewellen, a respected Superior Court judge, to found Lucas and Lewellen, and together they built an estate that farms across the county’s climate range, from the cool Santa Maria Valley to the warmer Santa Ynez Valley. That breadth of estate vineyards lets the winery make an unusually complete range of wines, all grown on land the partners control.

Plant the right grape in the right place, across a whole county, and the cellar takes care of itself.

The wines

Because Lucas and Lewellen farms both ends of the county, it can make almost everything: cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the north, Bordeaux reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and Syrah from the warmer south, and crisp whites in between. The family also makes Italian varieties under its Toccata label and approachable wines under Queen of Hearts, giving the lineup real range and value.

What to drink it with

The Pinot Noir loves salmon, duck, or mushrooms, while the Cabernet and Merlot want lamb or a fatty steak, the tannin softening against the fat. The Syrah is a natural with Santa Maria tri-tip, and the Italian-style Toccata reds, bright and savory, are made for tomato-based pasta and pizza, where their acidity cuts the richness.

Plan your visit

Lucas and Lewellen pours at its tasting room in the heart of Solvang, an easy and central stop while exploring the Danish village and the wider valley. Reservations are recommended on weekends.

Frequently asked questions