Owner

The Lafond Family

Winemaker

Bruce McGuire

Appellation

Santa Rita Hills

Distribution Area

New Jersey and New York

Varieties

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Vineyard

97.5 acre vineyard. Lafond Vineyards obtained their SIP (Sustainability In Practice) Certificate in 2016. David Lafond initiated the program several years ago and after much work brought it to fruition.

Farming

Sustainable

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About Lafond

Pierre Lafond was the founder of Santa Barbra Winery, the first post-prohibition commercial winery in Santa Barbara County. He purchased land in 1971 in the Santa Rita Hills at the western tip of the Santa Ynez Valley and began planting what is now a 97.5-acre vineyard. His belief in this area played a pioneering role in the subsequent development of the Santa Ynez Valley as a world-class wine growing region.

Winemaker Bruce McGuire was brought on board in 1981 and encouraged plantings of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah, noting that the soil and microclimate of Lafond Vineyard, classified as cool Region 1, were ideal for these varietals.

In 1998, construction began at a new winery with Pierre’s namesake: Lafond Winery. The first wines under the Lafond label were released in 2000. In 2001, the winery opened for visitors, and that same year, the Santa Rita Hills was granted American Viticultural Area status.

Sustainability is a core value of Lafond Winery & Vineyards and their sister winery, Santa Barbara Winery. Lafond Vineyards obtained their SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certificate in 2016. David Lafond initiated the program several years ago and after much work brought it to fruition.

Click here to read more about Santa Barbara Winery.

Related News
& Press

August 16, 2019

The Best American Pinot Noirs Under $30 to Drink Right Now: Lafond Santa Rita Hills