Santa Barbara wine country is still young enough that we can sit down with the people who made its history.

Louis Lucas has just completed his 55th harvest. He was one of Santa Barbara County’s pioneering commercial wine grape growers and the first to plant Pinot Noir here, as far as we can tell.

Over those 55 harvests, the Dirtman has become one of the most loved and respected growers in California wine - a farmer, mentor, storyteller and friend - whose fingerprints are all over the region we know today.

Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards has been fortunate enough to share 30 of those harvests with him.

To mark the 30th harvest with Lucas & Lewellen and his birthday this month, we put together six estate wines from the vineyards Louis has spent much of his life farming. Five have earned 90+ point scores. We never submitted the sixth for review, but we think you will agree it belongs in their company.

2024 Rosé of Pinot Noir: 90+ pts Wine Enthusiast
2023 Viognier: 90+ pts James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast
2022 Merlot: “Judges Reserve Block” down by reservoir
2021 Cabernet Franc: 90+ pts James Suckling
From Louis’s yard at Valley View Vineyard
2021 Malbec: 94 pts Orange Co Wine Society
2022 Carmenere: 90+ pts Wine Enthusiast “Hidden Gem”
Louis’s favorite wine.