In this episode of Wine For Normal People, Will Henry of Lumen Wines shares how his love for surfing and winemaking intertwines in Santa Barbara. He reveals how the local surf culture and coastal environment shape his approach to crafting exceptional wines. Join us to explore the unique connection between the waves and the vineyards that defines Lumen Wines.
Thoughts on the Wettest of Vintages The vineyards are flooding. Southern California is currently experiencing what the forecasters are calling “the largest weather event in the last six years.” (Let’s just forget about “Stormageddon” two years ago – too bad they used that one up already). Some of the vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley…
No two grains of sand are alike – or so a geologist will tell you – and the same goes for fistfuls. Take, for example, a microscopic photograph of grains of sand. What we believe to be a uniform substance (silica, just like the dictionary tells us), is in fact a random conglomeration of particles…
Lumen Crush is On! The first fruit of the season came roiling into the winery on August 19, when we picked Chardonnay Wente Clone 15 from Sierra Madre Vineyard in Santa Maria. Following it this week were both Dijon clones of Pinot Noir, 667 and 777, also from Sierra Madre – marking one of our…
One of my father’s favorite sayings is that most wines are consumed on the way home from the liquor store. He is saying that tongue-in-cheek, of course, but says it to make a point: while many wines are meant to be aged, few are actually consumed more than a year after they are bottled, and…
SMV is Ripe on the Vine When Lane puts on her magic yellow boot, we know it’s almost time for harvest. Lane has donned this fine piece of footwear ever since 1982, early in her wine career, and damn near the infancy of Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir. “I lost the other boot somewhere along…
Why Getting Old Isn’t That Bad There aren’t many things in life that get better with age. Cars lose thousands in value once they drive off the lot. Houses get termites. And food? It eventually gets moldy. Wine, in this regard, is almost in a class by itself. The history behind wine and its aging…