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.
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.
