ABOUT US
Beginnings
Pierce Ranch Vineyards was established in 2000 with the planting of our Home Ranch Vineyard. Our first vintage was in 2005, and since then we've been producing small- to exceedingly small-production wines that originate in our vineyards in southern Monterey County's San Antonio Valley. Focusing significantly (but not exclusively) on Spanish and Portuguese varieties, we bottle roughly 2,000 to 3,000 cases a year in our Lockwood winery. All wines are estate and are fermented using only native yeasts (and minimal inputs.)
Location
Our vineyards are located in a highland valley at the southernmost tip of Monterey County, just on the border between the small towns of Bradley and Lockwood. Perched in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Range roughly 14 miles from the ocean and some 25 miles from Paso Robles, the Bradley-Lockwood area is a unique region with viticultural roots going back more than two centuries.
The very first vineyards in the area were planted around 1771 with the establishment of the Mission of San Antonio de Padua, making them some of the earliest on the continent. After the decay of the mission system in the 1880s, though, the relatively isolated and sparsely populated region was largely neglected by viticulturists for many years.
The San Antonio Valley AVA was declared in 2006 and over the last two decades the valley has seen a marked spike in plantings, and a corridor of vineyards has sprung up along Jolon Road.
Vineyards & Terroir
At an elevation of 1000 feet, our vineyards are situated in an alluvial basin overlooking Lake San Antonio.
Spanning some 60 acres and divided into four separate parcels, our vineyards are planted on lightly rolling hills in rocky to moderately rocky soils consisting mainly of a combination of calcareous shale and loam.
The predominant soil types are calcareous rock, broken shale, and decomposed granite and the climate is more similar to that of Paso Robles than it is to the rest of Monterey County, with fairly hot summer temperatures and an average annual rainfall is roughly 11 inches. An ideal haven for our grape varieties, the temperature in the valley drops significantly at nightfall, allowing the vines to recover.
Varieties & Approach
From the beginning, Spanish and Portuguese varieties have been a significant interest of ours and have comprised a good portion of what we produce.
We carry an extensive and rare lineup of Iberian varieties that have been well-adapted to the area. These include Albariño, Verdelho, Arinto, Tempranillo, Graciano, Touriga Nacional, Tinto Cão, and Souzão.
A certain sentimental attachment to these varieties due to some Portuguese heritage is part of the equation, but we are ultimately guided not only by our interest in specific varieties, but also by their suitability to the region itself.
Experimentation and interest in variety have brought to planting a great set of locally beloved French varieties. Notably Petite Sirah, which feels right at home in the San Antonio Valley - producing luscious wines with great depth and structure.
A number of Bordeaux varieties have found their way in our portfolio over the years. In addition to the ubiquitous Cabernet Sauvignon, we also grow some Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. The Rhône varieties are also planted, with Grenache and Syrah grown in our Home and Panhandle Vineyards.
More to come about:
Our vineyard practices...
Sustainable practices...
No herbicides...
Native yeasts...
Minimal inputs...
Our vineyard practices...
Sustainable practices...
No herbicides...
Native yeasts...
Minimal inputs...
People
We are...