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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. 

read more…
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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August, 2018

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

The grape crop is behind in our area and all over the state, around 15-25 days behind schedule. A very cool spring can be blamed. Our recent weather has been on the warmer side but not enough to catch up. Our Italian grapes are progressing well. 

read more…
Dirtman Louis Lucas - a photo

June, 2017

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

My first observation of the crop is that we do have an ample supply of grapes, not too many but we’re not in short supply either. The next time of most concern is when grapes begin to flower and there we’re hopeful for some warm days and plentiful sun.

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A photo of chateau de beaucastle

October, 2015

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

I love baseball. I played catcher in school and my idol was the late Yogi Berra, whose famous saying was “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” And our 2015 crop is over!

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Who says farming is hard?

December, 2014

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

The harvest and harvest party are over.  I guess it’s time to be looking forward to my 45th year of growing grapes in Santa Barbara County.  It seems like just yesterday that this adventure began.  I can’t let this past harvest go unnoticed, for it’s now three years in a row that we’ve had ideal growing conditions.

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Toccata Tasting Room at Christmas

October, 2014

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

About four days of harvest to go!  We have about 100 tons to pick, mostly Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, and our small lot of Freisa.  This will be one of the earliest harvests I have experienced in the last 44 years for a variety of reasons, none of which are bad.  Our Harvest Party is planned to be right after harvest but this year, it will be four weeks later, which is also ok.  We have a great deal of time to get things ready for all of you attending.  

read more…
A picture of the hard working vineyard crew at harvest
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Tasting Rooms

OPEN FOR WINE SALES AND MEMBER PICK-UPS ONLY

Lucas & Lewellen: ph 805-686-9336

Toccata: ph 805-686-5506

Hours: Sun-Thu 10am - 4pm

Fri-Sat 10am - 4pm, until further notice

Mon-Sat 9am-10pm for seniors and high risk
Phone us to make an appointment.