"While Lee has made excellent wines since starting the Morgan Winery brand in 1982, their distinctiveness and personality have soared in the past three years, and Double L has much to do with that."

- The San Francisco Chronicle

Conscientious, innovative farming regimens allied with traditional, “minimalist” winemaking techniques craft wines of balance, elegance and distinction.  For Morgan Winery, this single-minded focus has produced a record of consistent, category leading, award winning wines.

Dan’s goal is to produce wines that are “true” - true to the variety and vineyard source and show true balance and complexity, while being enjoyable upon release.  Morgan delivers consistency from bottle to bottle, vintage to vintage by nurturing sustainable, long-term relationships with their own vineyard and cellar crews, top-notch growers, and the finest French barrel coopers.

In 2005, Gianni Abate joined Morgan as winemaker, allowing Dan Lee to concentrate on developing the Double L Estate. The creative partnership between Dan and Gianni has proved highly successful, taking the Morgan portfolio to new heights in quality and popularity. 

1978     Dan Morgan Lee graduates from UC Davis; full winemaking position at Jekel Vineyards in Monterey County.

1980     Dan meets Donna George at a Monterey County Vintners and Growers meeting.

1982     Daniel Morgan Lee and Donna George found Morgan Winery and produce 2,000 cases of Monterey Chardonnay. This first Chardonnay was awarded a gold medal at LA County Fair; won a taste off of gold medal winners and received the Platinum medal from Wine & Spirits Magazine.

1984     Produce first Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma under St. Vrain brand.

1986     Produce first red wines: Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Carneros and Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Sauvignon Blanc changed to Morgan brand. Dan and Donna marry in Carmel.

1989     Produced a single vineyard Chardonnay from Edna Valley’s MacGregor Vineyard.

1990     Started making reserve Pinot Noir, both Monterey and Carneros.

1991     Annie and Jackie, twin daughters, were born.

1992     Started making Dry Creek Zinfandel.

1993     Started making Reserve Chardonnay.

1994     Made first Syrah from Dry Creek Valley. Made first Marsanne.

1995     Produced first Malvasia Bianca. Son, Joshua Lee, is born.

1996     Purchase Double L Ranch as bare ground. Begin sourcing Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc. Started producing Crow’s Roost, the precursor of Cotes du Crow’s.

1997     Planted the 25 acres of lower sec tion of the Double L Vineyard to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Produce first Pinot Gris.

1998     Stop making Zinfandel to emphasize Syrah from Monterey. Discontinued Malvasia to concentrate on Pinot Gris. First year the Reserve Pinot Noir was labeled SLH appellation. Made a single vineyard Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir for ’98 & ’99. Started purchasing Rosella’s Vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 1995 Reserve Chardonnay named “Top Ten Chardonnays of 1998 by Wine Enthusiast.

1996     Wine & Spirits “Winery of the Year.”

1999     First harvest from Double L Vineyard. Made first Tierra Mar Syrah. Started purchasing Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir.

2000     Begin Single Vineyard selections for SLH Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Monterey Pinot Noir switched to SLH appellation with growing production from Double L Vineyard and other SLH sources. Cotes du Crow’s production under Morgan label, replacing Crow’s Roost. Planted additional 1.5 acres of Pinot Noir at Double L Ranch.

2001     Made first “Hat Trick” Double L Vineyard Chardonnay as well as “Metallico” Un-Oaked" Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc becomes all Monterey fruit. Planted 1 acre of Syrah and 1 acre of Pinot Noir, 4.5 acres of rootstock planted for future grafting.

2002     SLH Pinot Noir receives “Twelve Clones” designation. 4.5 acres of Pinot Noir grafted to previously planted rootstock; 2.4 acres of 1997 Pinot Noir plantings removed for replanting better rootstock/clone of Pinot Noir.

2003     San Francisco Chronicle’s “Winery of the Year.” Tierra Mar Syrah “Top 100 Wines of 2003” from Wine Enthusiast.

2004     ’02 Rosella’s Vineyard Chardonnay San Francisco Chronicle “Top 100 Wines of The Year.”

2005     Lee Family Farm label introduced, includes Verdelho and Rose. Made first Tondre Grapefield Pinot Noir. SLH Chardonnay receives “Highland” designation. 2002 Rosella’s Pinot Noir Wine & Spirits “Top 13 Pinots of the Year.” First Double L Vineyard Syrah. Gianni Abate hired as winemaker.

2006     Rio Tinto (Portuguese red blend) introduced to Lee Family Farm label.

2007     Taste Morgan (visitor center/tasting room) opened in Crossroads Shopping Village, Carmel. Restaurant Wine Magazine’s “Winery of the Year 2007.” 2.3 acres Chardonnay were grafted to different Chardonnay clones. 2 new acres planted, 1 acre Pinot Noir and 1 acre of Riesling.