Donnachadh Family Wines - Donnachadh Estate Vineyard

Donnachadh Family Wines’ Donnachadh Estate Vineyard in Lompoc, California, pairs organically grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Gamay Noir with a visit that involves more than a tasting counter. At this Santa Rosa Road property in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the draw is a private guided vineyard hike followed by estate wines and light bites beside the pond.

Founders Drew and Laurie Duncan’s 285-acre property holds approximately 52 acres of vines, with plantings dating to 2013. Winemaker Ernst Storm works with fruit from two distinctly different settings: sheltered blocks beside the Santa Ynez River and rockier hillside blocks exposed to ocean winds. The Pacific lies about nine miles away, bringing morning fog and afternoon breezes that slow ripening and help preserve the wines’ bright acidity. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay anchor the estate range, while Syrah and Gamay Noir give it a broader reach.

Tasting room manager Samantha Foxen leads the one-mile loop, which gains 325 feet before returning to the pond. This is a moderately strenuous outing, not a stroll between pours. Seasonal Saturday visits run May–August for private groups of two to eight and take 2.5–3 hours. Advance booking, covered shoes, and sun protection are required; weather can prompt rescheduling. The everyday tasting room is in Los Olivos, not at this vineyard address.