Kokoro Pinot Noir
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3 to 12 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck breast, creamy mushroom risotto, seared king salmon
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Named after the Japanese word for 'heart, mind, and spirit,' the 'Kokoro' Pinot Noir is Paul Lato's ultimate liquid expression of passion and craftsmanship. This rare, limited-production cuvée is not tied to a single vineyard; instead, it represents a meticulous barrel selection of the very finest Pinot Noir from Lato's premier cool-climate sites in Santa Barbara County, such as the wind-swept Solomon Hills and historic Bien Nacido. The wine captures the dramatic maritime influence of the Pacific Ocean, where morning fog and chilly breezes preserve vibrant acidity and foster slow, even ripening. Crafted with minimal intervention and aged in select French oak barrels, 'Kokoro' is celebrated for its exquisite balance of power and grace, offering a multi-layered tapestry of dark cherries, exotic spices, and a signature velvety texture that lingers on the palate.
🍾 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.