This Winery Is Permanently Closed.
Winery Rating
Located at:
1650 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA 93463
Reservation Required
Price Range For Tasting
The Lucas family established Toccata as a sibling project to their primary estate, Lucas & Lewellen. While the latter focuses on a broad range of international varieties, this label was created specifically to explore Italian viticulture. The inspiration stems from the family’s appreciation for the Piedmont and Tuscany regions, leading them to plant varieties like Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, and Barbera on their estate vineyards in the late 1990s.
This project serves as a dedicated space for these specific bottlings, separating them from the more traditional French-focused portfolio of the main estate. The brand name itself is a nod to the classical musical form, intended to evoke a sense of playfulness and technical skill, mirroring the “Cal-Ital” approach of applying California sunshine to Old World grapes.
Megan McGrath Gates oversees winemaking for the label. She joined the operation in 2007, bringing a technical background in soil science and viticulture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Her approach involves monitoring the specific needs of Italian varieties, which often require different canopy management and harvest timing than Cabernet or Chardonnay.
McGrath Gates focuses on maintaining the natural acidity inherent in these grapes while ensuring the fruit reaches sufficient ripeness. Her background as a soil scientist influences her “ground-up” perspective, where she emphasizes the chemical and morphological traits of the vineyard to guide fermentation decisions. She utilizes a spectrophotometer for instant chemical analysis, allowing for precise adjustments during the aging process to maintain clarity and purity in the final profiles.
The tasting room is situated at 1650 Copenhagen Drive in the heart of Solvang, a pedestrian-heavy destination known for its Danish architecture. Unlike estate vineyards located in rural areas, this site offers a town-center experience. The interior features a long tasting bar, Mediterranean-inspired decor, and an array of gourmet food items and books for sale.
Outside, sidewalk seating allows visitors to observe the activity of the village. The setting is functional and accessible, designed for those exploring the local shops and restaurants. The tasting room is pet-friendly and often features live music during weekend peak hours, contributing to a convivial atmosphere.
The Toccata Wine Club, known as “La Famiglia di Toccata,” offers members bi-monthly shipments of Italian-style blends and varietal bottlings. Benefits include:
The tasting room operates daily and welcomes walk-ins, making it a flexible stop for visitors. A standard flight includes a selection of current releases for $20, often featuring a mix of Sangiovese-based blends and estate-grown whites like Arneis or Malvasia Bianca.
For those seeking a more focused experience, the staff provides factual information regarding the vineyard origins—primarily the Los Alamos and Valley View vineyards—and the specific characteristics of the Italian clones used. Tastings often conclude with a fortified wine or port-style selection to demonstrate the range of the portfolio.
Toccata stands as a unique cultural bridge in the heart of Solvang, marrying the sun-drenched terroir of the Central Coast with the soul of the Old World. By carving out a dedicated space for Italian viticulture, the Lucas family offers a refreshing departure from the region’s more traditional French-style estates. Whether you’re stopping in for a relaxed afternoon on the patio or diving into the technical nuances of their estate-grown clones, the winery succeeds in making the “Cal-Ital” lifestyle both accessible and sophisticated. It isn’t just a place to taste wine; it is a celebration of technical skill met with a playful, Mediterranean spirit.