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February, 2022

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

Right now we are in the middle of the pruning season when each vine must be pruned with special attention. This is not time for hackers! To me, pruning is an art.

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Three bottles of Toccata wine on a wine barrel

August, 2021

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

Is it possible that we are just a few weeks from harvest? Yes! Time marches on and the vines have changed to a more mature color of green. The canes went from dark green to yellow and then brown, a good sign of maturity.

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Louis' old track photo from Notre Dame. We call this one "Louis Legs"

February, 2021

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

Welcome to another year! One thing about the grape business is that we always have something to look forward to and that is next year’s grapes and last year’s wines.

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Louis Lucas at the Lucas & Lewellen Tasting Room in Solvang

June, 2020

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

We are still confined but we have freedom in the vineyard and work goes on.

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The Dirtman talks the dirt on the grapes at the Lucas & Lewellen Vineyard Tour

April, 2020

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

Spring is almost here. We finished pruning the vines by the middle of last month just in time for the March miracle of seven inches of rain.

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Louis Lucas standing at Valley View Vineyard

February, 2020

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

 It is already February and all of the Italian variety vines have been pruned except Nebbiolo. We prune the Nebbiolo last because it breaks bud and comes out early and is very susceptible to frost. Late pruning delays the bud push. 

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An image of Dirtman Louis Lucas giving a grapevine pruning lesson at Valley View Vineyard

February, 2019

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

Well, that rain I talked about in your last newsletter showed up! In a short period of time, we are at over 11 inches of rain for the season, or 156% of the year to date average.

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April, 2018

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

Spring has sprung with a nice three days of rain which were badly needed. The rain really helps us for irrigation and frost protection purposes. All the vines have been pruned and tied and buds are beginning to open. It won’t be long before we are into spraying, shoot removal, and tractor work.

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A photo of Louis pruning vines

February, 2016

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

There’s nothing like a farmer starting off with a weather report! We’ve reached the point that to go forward we need an abundance of rain for the next sixty days. We have a good start.

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Louis offering the lovely Jane Seymour his autograph!

February, 2015

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

There was an article this morning in a wine journal with grape growers from all over California already seeing things beginning to happen in the vineyard.  Early bud break usually tells you that you will have an early harvest.  It also tells you that you will have a long frost season

read more…
Louis Lucas in the vineyard

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Lucas & Lewellen: ph 805-686-9336

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