Distinctive Soils Create Distinctive Wines
The partners of Lockwood Vineyard, Paul Toeppen, Phil Johnson and Butch Lindley, who have cumulative vineyard management experience of over 90 years, first planted the large 1,850 acre San Lucas Vineyard in 1981 after concluding that the parcel was perfect for growing premium grapes. They chose a remote area nestled at the base of the Santa Lucia mountain range, inMonterey County, and developed one of the largest premium estate vineyards in the world.
The San Lucas vineyard consists of a unique soil that was recognized by the U.S. Geological survey in 1946 and is only found in two small areas of Central California, the San Lucas Vineyard and a coastal cliff region near Big Sur. The “Lockwood Shaly Loam,” consists of crushed fossilized seashells similar to chalk and limestone. This soil is uniform to depths of greater than 20 feet, and due to its low nutrient and mineral content, the vines are restrained and must work hard for survival. The added vine stress and excellent water drainage from this soil creates grapes with structure and complexity.
Due in part to the vineyard’s proximity to the Monterey Bay and warmer weather to the south, San Lucas Vineyard’s climate is designated “Warm Region 2” and experiences mornings of 50ºF and midday temperatures of 110ºF – a diurnal swing of 60ºF in a matter of a few hours. As a result of vineyard location, multiple varietals such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon thrive with unprecedented success.
