Double L Vineyard
Crown Jewel of the Santa Lucia Highlands Appellation . . .
In 1996, Dan and Donna Lee invested in their vision, purchasing and planting a 65 acre property in the northern end of the newly named, still not well known Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Of all of the places they could have selected to establish a new “Premier Cru” estate, this site was to prove most perfect.
Named the Double L (Double Luck, in honor of twin daughters), today this vineyard is one of the most famed winegrowing properties in California. A living laboratory, the organically certified Double L Vineyard boasts 20 different clones on 8 different rootstocks.
It is the source of Morgan’s two most highly awarded flagship releases; the Double L Pinot Noir and Double L Chardonnay. The first plantings were in 1997. At present, the vineyard consists of 48 planted acres: 28 acres planted to Pinot Noir, 18 acres of Chardonnay, 1 acre of Syrah and 1 acre of Riesling. The first crop was harvested from Double L in 1999.
The close proximity of Monterey Bay’s cold, deep waters influences everything we do. Ocean fog provides a nighttime blanket for the vineyards. In the afternoons, rising hot air in the warmer, southern end of the valley draws in cool breezes off the Bay. The strong winds keep temperatures down and thicken grape skins, fostering intense flavor with balancing acidity. Slow, gentle ripening lasts four to five weeks longer than most regions in California; lack of damaging harvest rains extends the crush safely into the fall. The result is fully developed varietal character in every grape. The Double L Vineyard slopes from 150 to 550 feet in elevation. Average summertime temperatures are in the mid-70’s, with lows in the mid-50’s.