The Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Growing Region

Theodora Lee

Theopolis Vineyards, Owner / Vintner
Theopolis Vineyards is a small lot vineyard and hand-crafted winery located in California’s prestigious Yorkville Highlands of the Anderson Valley. Situated along Highway 128 in southeastern Mendocino County near the border of Sonoma County, the AVA is a highly elevated, rugged interior wine-growing area. Established in 2003, Wine Critic Robert Parker bestowed upon wine made from grapes harvested from Theopolis Vineyards a stellar rating of 94-96 points, a spectacular showing for the vintner’s first harvest in 2006. Emboldened by the great fruit produced by the land, its owner and founder, Theodora R. Lee aka Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards, a bold and dynamic Texan and San Francisco trial lawyer, is now bottling her own award winning wines. In addition to bottling the richly intense and flavorful Petite Sirah and Rosé of Petite Sirah, Theopolis Vineyards strikes a lighter note by bottling a Symphony, a white wine, which is a crossing of Muscat and Grenache Gris. Theopolis Vineyards also bottles an Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, a Yorkville Highlands Pinot Noir and a Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir.

The Santa Lucia Highlands

The Santa Lucia Highlands wine growing region in western Monterey County achieved formal American Viticulture Appellation recognition in 1991. Since then, it has emerged as the premier cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay growing region on America's West Coast. The small but mighty appellation is home to multi-generation farmers and revered winemakers who craft award-winning wines. The Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans is a not-for-profit trade association with more than 50 growers and associate members across California dedicated to elevating the presence and awareness of the region's celebrated vineyards and wines.