In 1978, Dr. Thomas Fogarty and Winemaker Michael Martella planted vines and built a small estate winery in the rugged Santa Cruz Mountains, 2,000 feet above sea level. The coastal climate, high elevation and thin rocky soils are unique and define the authentic site-expressive wines. Today a new generation continues the founders’ spirited pursuit. Tom Fogarty Jr. runs the Thomas Fogarty Wine Estate. Winemaker Nathan Kandler produces distinctive Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from 25 acres of estate vineyards on 8 unique sites, in the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation In 2014 the Fogarty Family launched Lexington Wine Company. This limited collection of Estate wines hails from their Gist Ranch Estate Vineyard, which was planted to the traditional varieties of Bordeaux in the year 2000.