About Lucas Winery
Lucas Winery at 18196 North Davis Road is one of Lodi's most historically significant small-production estates, founded by David Lucas in 1978 at a time when Lodi was still regarded primarily as a bulk wine grape growing region rather than a source of premium varietal wine. Lucas was among the first Lodi producers to bet on the appellation's potential for serious, estate-bottled wine — a conviction that four decades of recognition have thoroughly vindicated as Lodi's reputation for world-class old-vine Zinfandel and Chardonnay has grown dramatically.
The Davis Road estate is one of Lodi's most carefully farmed and quality-focused properties. Zinfandel and Chardonnay anchor the Lucas program — an unusual pairing that reflects David Lucas's belief that Lodi's warm, Delta-cooled growing environment supports serious white wine production alongside the old-vine Zinfandel that the region is most celebrated for. The Chardonnay, sourced from estate blocks where the Delta breeze moderates temperatures through the growing season, shows genuine freshness and mineral character that challenges assumptions about what warm-climate California Chardonnay can achieve.
Tastings are by appointment only at $10 — a remarkable price for access to one of Lodi's founding premium wine estates. The intimate appointment format reflects the small-scale, quality-first approach that David Lucas has maintained since the winery's 1978 founding, with personal engagement from the winemaking team a standard part of every visit.
"Lucas Winery is Lodi winemaking with nearly fifty years of conviction behind it — one of the estates that proved the appellation could produce serious varietal wine before the rest of California was paying attention."
For serious Lodi wine enthusiasts and collectors who want to engage with the appellation's pioneering history, Lucas Winery represents an essential pilgrimage destination. The combination of founding-era historical significance, genuine quality, and a $10 tasting fee makes it one of California wine country's most underappreciated and rewarding small winery experiences.
✓
Lucas Winery isLucas Winery is David Lucas's founding personal label — his English-heritage family surname on one of Lodi's most historically significant small-production Zinfandel programs, established in 1978.
✓
Lucas is oneLucas is one of the Lodi wine region's most authentic voices: a winemaker deeply committed to the old-vine Zinfandel heritage of the Lodi Delta region and to producing wines that reflect the specific terroir character of the San Joaquin Delta's ancient vineyard plots.
✓
The North DavisThe North Davis Road estate produces Zinfandel from old-vine Lodi estate blocks — the Z Vineyard Zinfandel in particular sourced from century-old head-pruned vines on the Lucas property.
"David Lucas's 1978 Lodi Lucas-English-heritage-family-surname founding old-vine Zinfandel estate"
Visit Pending
Score Breakdown
Ratings will appear after verified reviews
Wine Quality
Not yet rated
Tasting Experience
Not yet rated
Value for Money
Not yet rated
Family Friendly
Not yet rated
Dog Friendly
Not yet rated
Reviews Across the Web
— loading...
WN
WinoNotion
Not yet rated
Awaiting reviews
Scores from
Google Maps and
Yelp via their official APIs · Updated every 24 hours · Click any row to view full reviews
Featured Wines
Zinfandel
Z Vineyard Zinfandel
Lodi / Z Vineyard
Lucas's English-heritage-founding-family Z Vineyard Lodi Zinfandel — century-old head-pruned vines from David Lucas's historic 1978-founded North Davis Road estate.
🥂
Lucas Winery Lodi Appointment
Appointment at the English-heritage-family-surname-named founding Lodi estate (est. 1978) — Lucas Winery Z Vineyard old-vine Zinfandel from century-old heritage vines.
From $10
Photo Gallery
Recent Reviews from Our Community
No Community Reviews Yet
This winery does not have any published WinoNotion community reviews yet. Be the first to share a recent visit and help other wine travelers know what to expect.
Write the First Review →
Not Yet Reviewed
Acquiesce Winery & Vineyards
Lodi
Not Yet Reviewed
Not Yet Reviewed
Not Yet Reviewed
Not Yet Reviewed
Not Yet Reviewed