About Stratton Lummis

Who were Stratton and Lummis?

There were never two men so different. Dewey Stratton was a humble man. Born into a share cropper's family, all he ever wanted was his own farm. Lummis was one of the most famous and colorful personalities of his day. He was an author, editor, archaeologist, knight, crusader, adviser to the President, mentor to many artists and consumer of much wine. We made this wine with our great-grandfathers in mind. A colorful Cabernet Sauvignon from famous vineyards, priced humbly.

Why did we create Stratton Lummis?

We make Pinot Noir because it is our winemaking passion. We make Stratton Lummis because it is fun.

The finest vineyards from the greatest estates in Napa are enjoyed only by those few wine lovers who can pay their high price. The wines are too expensive to be enjoyed on a regular basis. The first trick is to get access to these same great estates. I am fortunate to have worked with most of their winemakers. The next trick is to use their wineries so that I don’t have to pass on to you the cost of building a new one. It would surprise you to know many famous brands are making their wine sans Chateau.

Stratton Lummis wants to be considered an amazing value. I wish I could reveal the vineyard names to you. They have told me if I do this, I will never get their fruit again.

Stratton Lummis and the Artists' Series

If Winemaker Richard de los Reyes hadn’t flunked Art, we wouldn't be drinking Stratton Lummis today. Too much fun in college resulted in what Richard describes as a "reverse intervention." "I was taken to Korbel Winery to meet with family friend and Korbel Winemaker/Owner Paul Heck who strongly recommended a career in the wine business. The rest is history. I put the paintings that I flunked with on the first release of the Stratton Lummis Artists' Series."

Erin Donahue was the first person to discover Row Eleven. A talented painter and Art Director, Erin suggested we make Stratton Lummis a showcase for California's top artists. "When I walked into Row Eleven for the first time I didn't know what to make of it. I saw paintings all over the walls and wanted to check them out. Little did I know they were Richard's work. The upside is he is extra-ordinarily talented as a winemaker. I met everyone in the office and decided that I was going to work at Row Eleven. I’m pretty sure they thought I was a little crazy when I started putting software on the computer and getting my desk organized." Four years later, Erin is still at Row Eleven driving Richard insane.

2006 Stratton Lummis Chardonnay

Terry St. John, Artist Biography

Terry St. John is a legend. Recognized as one of California's leading living artists, Terry was influenced significantly by the 1960’s Bay Area Figurative Movement. He has studied under Richard Diebenkorn and James Weeks. Numerous books have been written about his work. He is represented by Hackett-Friedman gallery in San Francisco.

2005 Stratton Lummis Cabernet Sauvignon

Diane Stevens, Arist Biography

Diane has become one of California's top artists. Her work can be seen in countless galleries and museums as well as in private collections.

"I paint abstractions and figurative work as well as landscapes, but all have the same motivation: to show the world in which we live, its inhabitants, and the creations of the latter. They reflect nature as I see it reassembled, revealed in another context.”