PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Luli is a collaboration between the Pisoni family, known for their Pisoni Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands and for the Pisoni Estate and Lucia wines, and Master Sommelier Sara Floyd. Noticing a shortage of handcrafted wines at reasonable prices, they set out to create a new line for exactly that niche. The wines are made by Jeff Pisoni, who buys grapes from multiple vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands and the greater coastal California region. The 2023 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir is sourced entirely from sustainably farmed vineyards in the Highlands, with low yields and a variety of clones. About 3,629 cases were made.
The Santa Lucia Highlands is one of California’s best-known Pinot Noir regions, with sloping hillsides that are rugged and low yielding, which stresses the vines and concentrates flavor. Cool winds from Monterey Bay provide a long, cool growing season. The 2023 vintage was an unusual one: heavy rainfall and cold weather delayed budbreak by three to four weeks, and the vineyard teams had to drop fruit and remove botrytis to ensure ripening. The extra work paid off with “beautiful fruit with exuberant aromatics and vibrant acidity.”
The winemaking is gentle and traditional: hand-sorted fruit, native yeast fermentation, small lots, aging in neutral French oak barrels, and no fining or filtration. The winery’s notes describe “rich aromas of black cherry, spiced plum, sage, and vibrant cranberry” that “combine to give power and energy to the wine,” with “supple and layered tannins that drink well now and will age for several years.”
Wine Enthusiast scored it 94 Points, finding “candied cherry and raspberry compote aromas” that are “very fresh and accessible,” with “earthier hints of soil and bark,” and a palate that is “zippy with acidity that shines through the black cherry, star anise and turned loam flavors.” James Suckling described a “delicious perfume on the nose with a nicely calibrated juxtaposition of bright fruit and forest floor,” with “wild strawberries and cherries... balanced by turned earth and birch, a floral whiff at the edges,” and said to drink it now. Not every critic was as enthusiastic: Vinous scored it 88, finding it “a little shy in both aroma and flavor” in this long, cool year, with “hints of spiced cranberry and rose petal.” Taken together, it’s a fresh, fruit-driven, easygoing Pinot Noir with real regional character, made to be enjoyed now at a very approachable price point.
Luli 2023 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands is produced by Luli Wines, the Pisoni family’s project with Master Sommelier Sara Floyd, made by winemaker Jeff Pisoni. It is 100% Pinot Noir, sourced entirely from sustainably farmed vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California. The fruit is hand-sorted and fermented with native yeast in small lots, aged in neutral French oak barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration. 3,629 cases produced. Bottled at 14.1% ABV, 750ml.
Wine Enthusiast — 94 Points (October 2025):
“Candied cherry and raspberry compote aromas are very fresh and accessible on the nose of this bottling, which also shows earthier hints of soil and bark. The palate is zippy with acidity that shines through the black cherry, star anise and turned loam flavors.”
James Suckling:
“Delicious perfume on the nose with a nicely calibrated juxtaposition of bright fruit and forest floor. Wild strawberries and cherries are balanced by turned earth and birch, a floral whiff at the edges. Drink now.”
Vinous — 88 Points (July 2025):
“The 2023 Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) is a little shy in both aroma and flavor, speaking softly and gently in this long, cool growing season. The 2023 gives off hints of spiced cranberry and rose petal, sneaking away on the rather simple finish.”
Luli Wines (official winemaker’s notes):
“The 2023 Luli Pinot Noir exemplifies the bright and beautiful character of Santa Lucia Highlands. Rich aromas of black cherry, spiced plum, sage, and vibrant cranberry combine to give power and energy to the wine... This wine has supple and layered tannins that drink well now and will age for several years.”
Nose
Deep ruby. Black cherry, spiced plum, and cranberry lead, with raspberry compote, sage, wild strawberry, and forest floor.
Palate
Medium-bodied and zippy, with black cherry, star anise, and turned loam, with supple, layered tannin and fresh acidity.
Finish
Clean and lively, with spiced cranberry and a floral whiff.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California |
| Variety | 100% Pinot Noir |
| Vintage | 2023 |
| Producer | Luli Wines (the Pisoni family with Master Sommelier Sara Floyd) |
| Winemaker | Jeff Pisoni |
| Fermentation | Native yeast, small lots |
| Aging | Neutral French oak; unfined and unfiltered |
| Production | 3,629 cases |
| ABV | 14.1% |
| Critics | Wine Enthusiast 94 · James Suckling reviewed · Vinous 88 |
| Style / Identity | A bright, fresh, fruit-forward Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, made to drink now |
| Aromas & Flavors | Black cherry, spiced plum, cranberry, sage, star anise, forest floor |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Serve slightly cool, around 60-62°F.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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