Photo courtesy of Paul Lato

Paul Lato Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
A Goldmine of Wine

I’ve written about Paul Lato’s wines and inspiration several times now. My continuity is due to the quality of the wines and your continued demand for them. 

It’s no surprise that movie buff and winemaker Paul Lato was drawn to a vineyard in Santa Maria Valley named Sierra Madre. A Humphrey Bogart fan, curiosity pulled him in and quickly captured his attention. Paul's wines are anything but the wild wild West, and rugged frontier that we saw in the Bogart era of movies, but they definitely imply that Paul did find gold along those hills.

Planted by the late great Robert Mondavi, Sierra Madre was a long-time vineyard source to some of the most noted wineries of Santa Barbara. Paul, who was also in search of vineyards planted with the Old Wente Clone of Chardonnay, was excited for the opportunity to work the 30 year old parcels at Sierra Madre. 

Drawn by the purity of the low yield Chardonnay, Paul quickly realized that the Pinot Noir blocks alongside the Chardonnay were absolutely marvelous. Today, Paul produces the most noted and famed example of the Sierra Madre vineyard. 

It’s as if only Paul was able to strike gold and find The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

Paul’s wines extend well beyond the Sierra Madre vineyard, including prime sites in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Sonoma and Carneros. The Solomon Hills Vineyard that Paul calls Suerte is also one the mainstays in the range and the Pinot Noir exemplifies that Paul's “luck” with these two vineyards is nothing short of extraordinary wines.

When we are asked to compare Paul Lato wines to those of his peers, there is no comparison as Paul’s wines are unique in the region. Instead, I would say, imagine if Aubert, Peter Michael or Marcassin made Santa Barbara Chardonnay and Pinot Noir - then you’d be close to the character and quality of Paul Lato.

"I continue to be blown away by the wines of Paul Lato, and these are unquestionably some of the most profound and exciting wines coming from the Central Coast today. ... the wines show incredible site and varietal typicity always paired with sensational fruit and balance. In short, don’t miss these wines!" –Jeb Dunnuck

The treasure of the Sierra Madre is not gold, but rather Paul Lato’s wines. I expect that Bogart’s Fred Dobbs would have agreed if he was lucky enough to discover them.

Cheers,
Jeremy