Lucky Well russian river valley, occidental, sonoma county
Named for a fortuitous well dug by the grower, Ulises Valdez, this vineyard is located on a small plateau above coastal rivers, which lifts it up above the marine fog. The elevation (850 feet) and the proximity to the Pacific Ocean (about ten miles as the crow flies) give Lucky Well the ideal temperatures for ripening Pinot Noir: cool morning air and warm afternoons that aren’t overly hot.
Located between the towns of Graton and Occidental with their upscale groceries and charmed bistros, the vineyard is every bit the Russian River Valley local boy in personality; it’s accessible in simple geographical terms, and the wine is refined and well-balanced, yet approachable.
Originally planted and managed by grower Ulises Valdez and now managed by his family, fruit for our B. Wise Lucky Well Pinot Noir is mainly from the Pommard clone, giving a classic California coastal Pinot that is round and lush—a big style tending toward darker fruits. Persuasively easy for tending a chair at the end of the day.
It was Ulises himself who started referring to the vineyard as “Lucky Well.” While getting ready to plant, a chance conversation with a neighbor turned up the fact that years before, the property owner’s daughter had used dowsing to locate a couple of wells close to their home. The neighbor then pointed out a few other places he might try. Ulises was able to strike abundant, reliable water with the first well he dug.
