History & Winemaking

"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.

1978

Dan Morgan Lee left UC Davis for a full winemaking position at Jekel Vineyard in Monterey County.

1982

Daniel Morgan Lee and Donna George founded Morgan Winery.

1986

Produced first red wines including Pinot Noir from what would become the Santa Lucia Highlands.

1991

Santa Lucia Highlands appellation established as an official American Viticultural Area (AVA).

1996

Dan and Donna Lee purchased bare ground in the SLH and developed it into the “Double L Vineyard” in reference to their twin daughters – the “Double Luck Twins”.

2000

First Double L Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines were bottled.

2002

Double L Vineyard became the first and only Certified Organic property in the SLH.

2003

Dan Lee was awarded as San Francisco Chronicle’s “Winemaker of the Year.”

2007

Taste Morgan opened in Crossroads Shopping Center in Carmel.

2018

Second generation of Lee Family (Jackie, half of the Double Luck Twins) joined Winery team.