Rooted in Place: Donnachadh Vineyard Captures the Spirit of the Sta. Rita Hills
When you visit the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, it’s natural to wonder what exactly makes this pocket of Santa Barbara wine country so extraordinary. Is it the terrain? The coastal climate? The people behind each site? In truth, it’s all of these elements working together, creating its unmistakable identity.
It was this sense of place that led Drew and Laurie Duncan to the AVA more than a decade ago. After nearly 10 years searching for an ideal site to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, they discovered a property in the Sta. Rita Hills where the soils, slopes and coastal influence spoke to them. They purchased the land, planted vines in 2013, and today Donnachadh (pronounced DON-nuh-kuh) stands as a benchmark estate in the appellation—renowned for its organic farming, dramatic setting and cool-climate wines that reflect the character of the region.
The Duncans’ journey into wine began in graduate school at the University of Texas, where the high school sweethearts enrolled in a wine appreciation class. Laurie went on to earn a PhD in geology and become a professor, while Drew studied plant and forest ecology before becoming an entrepreneur in technology. Yet their shared fascination with wine’s ability to capture the spirit of a place kept them dreaming about growing grapes one day.
While visiting wine regions up and down the West Coast, the two fell in love with the Sta. Rita Hills and committed to making their dream a reality. They purchased a 285-acre estate just eight miles from the Pacific, planting 40 acres of vines along the riverbed, hillsides and hilltop. “We loved the rich soils and the steep, north-facing slope,” explains Drew. “The bet was that the cooler microclimate created would lead to slower ripening and richly flavored, complex wines.”
Indeed, Donnachadh Vineyard enjoys a cool climate heavily influenced by the sea, where regular fog and ocean breezes allow the grapes to ripen slowly, developing complex flavors while retaining bright acidity. Rugged terrain and marine-derived sedimentary soils add even more nuance. “The diversity of the site makes each harvest exciting,” Drew notes. “Having a range of microclimates allows us to capture what is special about a given vintage.”
From the beginning, the Duncans embraced organic farming. “[It] seemed like the best choice in terms of being good stewards of the land and not jeopardizing the health of the vineyard workers or consumers,” he says. They also hired esteemed winemaker Ernst Storm to lead the wine program. The first vintage, in 2016, earned immediate acclaim and today Donnachadh’s estate wines are continually praised for their focus, depth and character, while the vineyard is a sought-after source for quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay and Syrah grapes.
The name Donnachadh reflects the Duncans’ Scottish roots, tracing back to the fourth-century Gaelic origin of Clan Duncan, a clan with an adventurous history. The clan’s crest depicts a ship battling heavy seas and carries the motto Disce Pati, which means “learn to endure.” This heritage is characterized on the labels—some of which feature mythical sea creatures. “The creatures reflect our Scottish heritage and the importance of the sea to our site,” says Drew. “These myths grow out of a sense of reverence for and the mystery of nature—an appropriate reminder for us in that whatever we try to do in the vineyard or winery, it’s nature that has the final say.”
As Donnachadh approaches its tenth vintage, the Duncans remain committed to improving and growing with intention. “Every year we learn more about the site and what it takes to make great wines from here,” Drew says. The couple is also excited to work with new plantings of Trousseau and Aligoté—two varieties Drew is hopeful will “really thrive at Donnachadh.”
Guided hikes are available from May-October. Photo: Jeremy Ball of Bottle Branding 
Rosé of Syrah. Photo: Jeremy Ball of Bottle Branding
Just as their ancestors once braved uncharted seas, the Duncans continue to chart their own course within the Sta. Rita Hills—farming with purpose, honoring what nature provides and crafting wines that showcase the voice of this exceptional coastal region. Adds Drew, “We feel the region has a bright future and we look forward to being a part of that.”
For those wanting to experience the vineyard firsthand, Donnachadh offers an Estate Vineyard Hike (available May–October or by appointment), connecting guests directly to the land. Designed for private groups of two to eight, the steep one-mile hike climbs through the now-52-acre vineyard, offering stunning panoramic views at the top. Following the guided hike, guests are treated to a pondside tasting of the brand’s limited-production wines. Donnachadh also invites guests to sample wines from its tasting room in Los Olivos, open year-round.
Visit donnachadh.com to learn more.
