Thirty-odd years ago, the Santa Maria Wine and Food Society welcomed new member Louis Lucas, a grape grower who was about to jump-start Santa Barbara County’s viticultural scene.
Over a meal and several glasses of wine, Lucas chatted with Royce Lewellen, a Solvang judge with a penchant for community service, and the pair launched what would prove to be an enduring friendship.
In the early 1970s, Santa Barbara County was celebrated more for its university and surf culture than for its wine industry, which remained but a dream in a few forward-thinking minds. Though the members of the Santa Maria Wine and Food Society regularly savored delectable wines, none of their selections bore local labels.
“Those were interesting times,” remembers Louis Lucas, who pronounces his name “Louie”. “We were growing grapes when there were no wineries here and shipping most of our fruit to the big producers up north.
“People thought you could only grow grapes in Napa,” he continues, “but we’ve proven you can do it in a lot of places, especially here. Our climate is ideal, with the long season you need to grow grapes with lots of flavor and color.” Continue Reading