https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news News and press from the Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans. en-us Fri, 03 Jul 2026 07:54:05 GMT https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/the-wine-palate-lisa-perotti-brown-june-2025-TJhPj6 https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/the-wine-palate-lisa-perotti-brown-june-2025-TJhPj6 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Santa Lucia Highlands is in Monterey County, California, just south of San Francisco and Silicon Valley. The entire AVA is only around 15 miles long and 1 mile wide. Tiny though it may be, the area is home to some of California’s most incredible Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards, in- cluding Pisoni Estate, Garys’ Vineyard, Rosella’s Vineyard, Soberanes, and Sierra Mar, to name a few. Windswept The first grape vines—primarily Chardonnay and Caber- net Sauvignon—were planted in Santa Lucia Highlands in 1973. Although the Cabernet had difficulty ripening, Chardonnay proved to be successful from the start. Since the defining feature of Santa Lucia Highlands’ climate is its cool, marginal nature, Pinot Noir was perfectly suited to the terroir. The maritime influence and accompanying fog, along with the constant wind, create distinctly whispery, nuanced Pinot expressions that have become a signature of this area. Jeff Pisoni is married to Bibiana González Rave, the former winemaker at Wayfarer Vineyard in Fort Ross- Seaview. Together, Jeff and Bibiana produce a stunning pair of Sauvignons from the Russian River Valley called Shared Notes. Bibiana also has her own Cattleya and Alma de Cat- tleya labels, both demonstrating her flair for crafting wines with old-world restraint and grace layered with California purity and persistence. This small, windswept region is well worth seeking out, especially for lovers of elegantly styled, nuanced Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/the-hero-of-her-own-story-karen-macneil-april-2026-yUdKFW https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/the-hero-of-her-own-story-karen-macneil-april-2026-yUdKFW Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT She thought she’d stay in France. After Château Haut-Brion, why think of being anyplace else? Wine, she felt, was in her core. From the age of 14, she knew she wanted to be a winemaker. She could not not make wine. And interning at a First Growth château in Bordeaux? Not bad for a young woman from South America who, when she showed up at an agricultural school in France, couldn’t even speak French. But Bibiana González Rave is not your typical winemaker. Born and raised in Colombia by parents who never drank wine, she initially studied chemical engineering. France, however, was where the winemaking action was. Along with Château Haut-Brion, La Mission Haut-Brion, and La Dominique in Bordeaux, she worked in Côte-Rôtie at Michel & Stéphane Ogier and Domaine Clusel-Roch, and in Burgundy at Domaine du Devevey. Bibiana eventually moved to California (where the new action was). She worked at Au Bon Climat in the Santa Maria Valley, and then eventually became the head winemaker at Lynmar (Russian River Valley) and at Wayfarer on the Sonoma Coast. In between all this, she met her husband Jeff Pisoni (of Pisoni Wines in the Santa Lucia Highlands), himself an accomplished winemaker. I first came to know Bibiana, not in person, but through her pure, rich Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs under her own label Cattleya (cat LAY ah), named for the national flower of Columbia, an orchid. The first of her Pinots I drank was called The Belly of the Whale. Who names a wine for the belly of a whale, I thought? As it turns out, “belly of the whale,” is an allegory created by the late scholar and writer Joseph Campbell. The phrase refers to a hero’s death and rebirth, the point when one is separated from an old self and transformed as a changed person, and ready to continue their journey as someone “new.” It made sense, that name. In some ways, it mirrored her own journey. Besides Cattleya, she also has another wine brand—Shared Notes—which she co-owns with her husband and with whom she now, finally, shares (wine) notes. Winemakers can be notoriously secretive. Both the Cattleya wines (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah) and the Shared Notes wines (Sauvignon Blanc) have incredible purity. When I think about purity and precision in wine, I always think about sound as a metaphor for flavor. If flavor WAS a sound, then pure, precise wines are like the sound of church bells in the mountains. Nothing diffuse. No static. Everything exact. Every molecule lined up on the same trajectory of intensity. -Karen MacNeil https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/wine-enthusiast-september-2024-YAqef9 https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/wine-enthusiast-september-2024-YAqef9 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Cattleya Wines is a small, passion-driven winery started by Bibiana González Rave. “With roots in Colombia and a love for winemaking, she creates unique, handcrafted wines in California,” says Richards. “Each bottle reflects her attention to detail, using grapes from top vineyards to produce wines that are flavorful, elegant, and expressive. Whether it’s a single-vineyard wine or a blend, you can taste the care.” Critics have taken notice, as well. The 2022 The Reward Syrah, for example, scored 94 Points in a Wine Enthusiast blind tasting for its “unctu- ous, silky aromas of dark red fruit and baking spice layered in hefty flavors of polished boysenberry wrapped in seamless tannins,” wrote reviewer Matt Kettman. That level of coverage and praise, Richards believes, is helping to lift the entire community. “Seeing [Latinx winemakers] more in a main- stream [publication], I know there’s a lot of work that needs to be done,” she says. “But seeing them occupy those spaces is really, really great.” https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/bruliam-in-forbes-DcKIY7 https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/bruliam-in-forbes-DcKIY7 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT Mother Of Three Leaves Career In Medicine To Become California Winemaker https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/sip-swirl-the-santa-lucia-highlands https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/sip-swirl-the-santa-lucia-highlands Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT The Santa Lucia Highlands region has gained recognition as one of California's premier cool-climate wine regions, and its wines have received critical acclaim. Still, other than wine enthusiasts, few know about it or where it is located. The Santa Lucia Highlands appellation is situated in the elevated benchlands of the Santa Lucia Mountains that extend between Soledad and Salinas. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/guide-to-the-santa-lucia-highlands-wine-growing-region https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/guide-to-the-santa-lucia-highlands-wine-growing-region Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMT For our trip down to the Santa Lucia Highlands last July, the forecast the week prior said sunny and upper 70s. Great — sundresses, I thought. Nope. Wrong. When we got down to Carmel, where we were staying for the duration of the trip, mornings on the coast were damp and hazy, thanks to the fog that comes in over the ocean at night. We'd drive up steep, windy mountain roads to get to the vineyards in the hills, where we'd breakthrough the clouds and find sunshine — a few hours of warm bliss before… WIND. The Santa Lucia Highlands is known for its wind. It's one of the things that helps it grow incredible, complex, and beautiful dynamic wines. But wow. That wind!! https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/whispering-winds-the-unique-dance-of-flavor-in-the-santa-cruz-mountains-santa-lucia-highlands https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/whispering-winds-the-unique-dance-of-flavor-in-the-santa-cruz-mountains-santa-lucia-highlands Tue, 02 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT Read more about the "Wind-Kissed & Sunlit Splendor of Santa Lucia Highlands AVA" https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/sleepy-hollow-vineyard-caretaking-a-grand-cru-treasure https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/sleepy-hollow-vineyard-caretaking-a-grand-cru-treasure Fri, 22 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/guide-to-visiting-the-santa-lucia-highlands https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/guide-to-visiting-the-santa-lucia-highlands Sun, 03 Jul 2022 00:00:00 GMT The insiders guide to visiting the Santa Lucia Highlands through the lens of the Santa Lucia Highlands Somm Tour. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/mark-pisoni-talks-santa-lucia-highlands https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/mark-pisoni-talks-santa-lucia-highlands Sat, 24 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT The name is synonymous with a region. When you hear "Pisoni", you think Santa Lucia Highlands. You'd be hard pressed to find another American wine family with closer ties to a place. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/talking-clarice-wine-company-and-beau-marchais-with-adam-lee https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/talking-clarice-wine-company-and-beau-marchais-with-adam-lee Sun, 11 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT He could make Pinot Noir from anywhere. He chose the Santa Lucia Highlands. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/wind-swept-vineyards-of-the-santa-lucia-highlands https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/wind-swept-vineyards-of-the-santa-lucia-highlands Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT Mira Honeycutt shares her experience from the first time she set foot in the wind-swept vineyards of the Santa Lucia Highlands in the Napa Valley Register. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/talking-santa-lucia-highlands-syrah-with-bibiana-gonzalez-rave https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/talking-santa-lucia-highlands-syrah-with-bibiana-gonzalez-rave Sun, 04 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT The Wine Write Randy Smith shares his interview with Bibiana Gonzalez Rave, talking Syrah, the Santa Lucia Highlands and much, much more for a great read. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/sun-wind-and-wine-inside-the-santa-lucia-highlands https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/sun-wind-and-wine-inside-the-santa-lucia-highlands Tue, 08 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMT Hair pinwheeling as if she were on the bow of a ship at sea in a gale, winemaker Sabrine Rodems illustrated for the folks on the Zoom call exactly how windy it gets on a typical day in the Santa Lucia Highlands. And she wasn't even on "the bench" proper: she was on the lee side of the winery building on the Wrath property at the San Saba Vineyard, supposedly "out of the wind." Everyone got the picture. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/discover-the-wines-of-the-santa-lucia-highlands https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/discover-the-wines-of-the-santa-lucia-highlands Fri, 16 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT California is well known for its beautiful wine regions like Napa Valley and Sonoma. However, there are so many other robust wine appellations within the state, and it's time we get to know one of them. Santa Lucia Highlands (SHL) was officially established in 1991 by the American Viticultural Appellation (AVA), but its first commercial vineyard plantings took place long before that during the 1970s. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/santa-lucia-highlands-packs-a-punch https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/santa-lucia-highlands-packs-a-punch Mon, 05 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT "There exists a small, but dynamic, wine region within the Santa Lucia Mountains near Monterey County on California's Central Coast. Located on Highway 101, between San Francisco and Paso Robles, the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, is only 18 miles long and 22,000 in total acreage, but it's a region that has earned a name for single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay wines." https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/wind-and-refrigerated-sunlight-winemakers-talk-about-the-santa-lucia-highlands https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/wind-and-refrigerated-sunlight-winemakers-talk-about-the-santa-lucia-highlands Tue, 29 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMT "Spend any time chatting with a winemaker or grape grower in the Santa Lucia Highlands—situated south of the Monterey Bay on California's central coast—and the conversation will immediately turn to these three things: the wind, the sun and the people. These aspects combine to make some truly fabulous wine, namely cool-climate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah that has earned its critically acclaimed stripes." https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/secret-source-norcal-winemakers-love-the-santa-lucia-highlands https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/secret-source-norcal-winemakers-love-the-santa-lucia-highlands Tue, 22 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMT "Overstreet is not the only NorCal winemaker to fall in love with SLH fruit, known for dark, brambly, and savory qualities that create layered and complex wines. Megan Gunderson, winemaker at NorCal's Walt Wines also loves SLH grapes, as does Bibiana Gonzalez Rave of Cattleya Wines, based in Santa Rosa; the Columbian-born winemaker sources Syrah grapes from two of SLH's most popular vineyards: Pisoni and Soberanes, the latter being the site for her Cattleya 'The Initiation' label." https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/californias-hidden-gem-santa-lucia-highlands-ava https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/californias-hidden-gem-santa-lucia-highlands-ava Fri, 18 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMT "Through the years, I've had the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the nuances of wines from this special, cool-climate growing region, one that I consider a hidden gem. And after a recent virtual tasting of wines (sent as samples) paired with lively conversations with member winemakers and growers, I realize that this small yet mighty wine region in Monterey County deserves plenty of attention." https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/california-bountiful-features-the-santa-lucia-highlands-ava https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/california-bountiful-features-the-santa-lucia-highlands-ava Tue, 21 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT California Bountiful features the cool-climate Santa Lucia Highlands wine growing region while following a group of wine professionals through the region in its July 2020 issue. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/santa-lucia-highlands-growers-awarded-green-medals https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/santa-lucia-highlands-growers-awarded-green-medals Mon, 13 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT Two Santa Lucia Highlands winegrowers have been awarded 2020 California Green Medal awards for their commitment to sustainability. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/at-the-tipping-point-the-santa-lucia-highlands https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/at-the-tipping-point-the-santa-lucia-highlands Mon, 23 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT California's Santa Lucia Highlands is an exotic region whose grapes produce some of America's greatest single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. It is still a wild, untamed place with few wineries and meager tourism, but as Roger Morris reports, the scent of change is in the air. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/monterey-bay-for-wine-lovers https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/monterey-bay-for-wine-lovers Tue, 08 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT Tucked into the scenic coastline of central California, Monterey is a slice of paradise with breathtaking coastal views, an inspiring farm-to-table food scene, stellar wines and a contagious enthusiasm for outdoor pursuits. Stacy Slinkard shares where to go and what to drink from the Santa Lucia Highlands. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/new-blood-in-old-monterey https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/new-blood-in-old-monterey Sat, 01 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT These progressive winemakers are reinvigorating this storied Central Coast region. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/your-guide-to-regional-california-pinot-noir https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/your-guide-to-regional-california-pinot-noir Wed, 02 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT A regional guide to California Pinot Noir. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/smackdown-pinot-noir-santa-maria-valley-v-santa-lucia-highlands https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/smackdown-pinot-noir-santa-maria-valley-v-santa-lucia-highlands Thu, 01 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT IntoWine explores the unique differences between two cool-climate, coastal influenced, windswept regions and defines their greatness. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/new-releases-from-the-santa-lucia-highlands https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/new-releases-from-the-santa-lucia-highlands Thu, 11 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT "In short, a 'Santa Lucia Highlands' designation on a label is about as close to a guarantee of quality as one is likely to find for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and, increasingly, Syrah from the United States." — Josh Raynolds, Vinous.com https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/santa-lucia-highlands-wind-and-wine https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/santa-lucia-highlands-wind-and-wine Tue, 14 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT Wine Fashionista Mary Orlin breaks down the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA and why the wind and Monterey Bay matter so much to this cool-climate growing region. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/exploring-the-santa-lucia-highlands-wines-with-views https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/exploring-the-santa-lucia-highlands-wines-with-views Fri, 01 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT "If you look west from Highway 101 between Salinas and King City, the views of the Santa Lucia Highlands will captivate you." https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/the-crying-winds-accounting-for-the-terroir-driven-character-of-santa-lucia-highlands-pinot-noir https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/the-crying-winds-accounting-for-the-terroir-driven-character-of-santa-lucia-highlands-pinot-noir Fri, 01 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT Randy Caparoso outlines how and why the intense wind is so important to the character of Santa Lucia Highlands wines. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/josh-raynolds-of-vinouscom-on-the-santa-lucia-highlands-wines https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/josh-raynolds-of-vinouscom-on-the-santa-lucia-highlands-wines Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT Josh Raynolds of Vinous.com explains what's unique about the Santa Lucia Highlands in his video post. https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/santa-lucia-highlands-pinot-noir-on-the-edge https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/santa-lucia-highlands-pinot-noir-on-the-edge Thu, 01 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT "If you're more accustomed to tasting the earthy, ever-leaner Pinot Noirs coming out of Santa Rita Hills or far-coastal Sonoma, you may have to redefine what California Pinot Noir means when tasting from the Santa Lucia Highlands. But that's also what makes these wines so exciting. They transcend the threshold of ripeness we imagine for Pinot Noir without sacrificing freshness." https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/our-favorite-california-appellation-that-no-one-knows-about https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/our-favorite-california-appellation-that-no-one-knows-about Wed, 17 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT "Home to some outstanding Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, Santa Lucia Highlands is an unsung corner of California wine country well worth getting to know." https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/25-ways-to-leave-your-wine-love https://www.santaluciahighlands.com/news/25-ways-to-leave-your-wine-love Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT "Santa Lucia Highlands: The star district in California's Salinas Valley. Pinot Noir is the main attraction but don't overlook Syrah." — Matt Kramer, Wine Spectator