The True Story of the Birth of the Bottle of Bubbly

Gus Clemens
01/06/2021
Go San Angelo

If you enjoyed Champagne or sparkling wine last week while gleefully celebrating the demise of 2020, you may not have thought about the heavy bottle containing the bubbly. But there is a story there.

Wood emerged as a precious commodity in the 1500s. The population of England and Wales soared, escalating demand for wood. Wood was used to construct and heat buildings. It was used in glass making. It was vital to ship building.

Bottle of Lucas & Lewellen Sparkling Wine with chocolates
2016 Lucas & Lewellen Sparkling Wine bottle shot

This sparkling wine sits softly and elegantly on the tongue, delighting the palate with a subtle mélange of fruit and flowers.

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$32.00
$25.60

Wine Club Price

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Fact Sheet Reviews

November, 2019

From the Ground Up

We have just reached the midpoint in our harvest. The grapes, winery, vineyard, and owners have survived so far. The new wines that I have seen look really good. 

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Image of Louis Lucas walking in the vineyard

November, 2018

From the Ground Up
The weather has been great. Grapes have been slow to ripen. Crop size is normal in some varieties and to the heavy side in other varieties.
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Baked brie appetizer with sparkling wine

John D. Finley
September 27th, 2018
Santa Ynez Valley News

Sparkling wine can only be called Champagne if it comes from the region of Champagne, France. Strictly speaking, champagne means "French Champagne" coming from the Reims and Epernay districts east of Paris. California produces two types of sparkling wine. The bulk process type is basically glorified soda pop. The other, usually labeled methode champenoise or methode traditionelle, means the second fermentation process must take place in the same bottle it is served from. It is well worth the price to buy a sparkling wine using this method.

February, 2018

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

We have been suffering from spring in January and we have reached the point of concern. This warm weather could hasten bud break before the danger of frost is behind us.

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Royce Lewellen and Louis Lucas checking out grapevines

December, 2017

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman

The harvest is over, as well as the Harvest Party! It is time to begin all over again in the vineyard. Our Italian grape harvest went well with cooperation from the weather after the smoke from wildfires and a freak rainstorm.

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Louis Lucas in the vineyard

Celebrate New Year’s with a Local Sparkling Wine

More than 50 Santa Barbara wineries craft bubbly in the méthode traditionelle or méthode champenoise style used in French Champagnes

Laurie Jervis
Noozhawk

In the year since I wrote about Santa Barbara’s plethora of sparkling wines, even more winemakers have jumped on bubbly bandwagon and are crafting stellar goods popular with holiday revelers.

2016 Toccata Sparkling Rosato

Toccata’s pink Rosato, a fruity, lively, Champagne styled bubbly, was made for fun.

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$35.00
$28.00

Wine Club Price

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Fact Sheet Reviews

December, 2016

Toccata - A Little Bit of Dust from the Dirtman
We finished the 2016 harvest the day we left for the cruise. This year, we had plenty of grapes of exceptional quality. We had a few challenges during harvest that were heat related but we survived thanks to the canopies on our vines. Our Italian varieties were exceptional. I was really impressed with the Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. For something new, we picked Pinot Grigio for Sparkling Wine, something to look forward to. For this, our last shipment of the year, we have selected wines for the coming holidays.
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A photo of Livorno

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