2021 · Escence Santa Maria Valley

Lumen is a small, family-run winery in California’s Santa Maria Valley, founded and co-owned by Will Henry. Its certified-organic estate vineyards, including Warner Henry and Wild King, are farmed by hand using regenerative, no-till practices focused on soil health and biodiversity. Will Henry makes the wines with Vic Rodriguez and, in some accounts, alongside longtime collaborator Lane Tanner. The style is low-intervention and transparent, with fruit picked for balance and wines made with minimal additives; labels include detailed technical and ingredient information. Lumen focuses on cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with Grenache and other limited releases, producing wines in intentionally small quantities. The estate also uses lightweight bottles, composts winery waste, and supports environmental causes through 1% for the Planet.