Duvarita Vineyard Belle de Jour Chardonnay
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–10 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Pan-seared sea scallops, roasted chicken with tarragon cream sauce, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Sourced from the unique Duvarita Vineyard, located just west of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, this Chardonnay thrives in a cool, maritime-influenced microclimate defined by ancient, windblown sandy soils. The challenging terroir forces the vines to dig deep, resulting in low yields of intensely concentrated fruit. Named 'Belle de Jour'—a nod to both the radiant daylily and classic French cinema—this cuvée is crafted by Paul Lato with minimal intervention. Fermented and aged in select French oak barrels, it beautifully marries vibrant, electric acidity with a luxurious, textured mouthfeel, capturing the pure, saline-tinged essence of its coastal origin.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 2002 by Polish-born sommelier Paul Lato, this artisanal winery is based in Santa Maria, California, within the heart of Santa Barbara County. Driven by a philosophy of minimal intervention and a quest for elegance and balance, Lato meticulously selects fruit from some of the Central Coast's most prestigious vineyards, including Bien Nacido, Solomon Hills, and Larner. The estate is highly acclaimed for its small-production, single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and Syrahs, which beautifully capture the unique maritime-influenced terroir of the region. With an unwavering focus on purity of fruit and texture, expressions like the Solomon Hills Pinot Noir Suerte and Larner Syrah Cinematique have earned the winery a reputation as one of California's premier boutique producers.