Lancelot Pinot Noir
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 5–15 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck breast, wild mushroom risotto, seared lamb chops
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Paul Lato's Lancelot Pinot Noir is an exquisite tribute to the legendary Pisoni Vineyard, nestled in the rugged, wind-swept heights of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Named after the noble knight of Arthurian legend to reflect its power, elegance, and chivalrous complexity, this single-vineyard cuvée showcases the dramatic terroir of one of California's most iconic grape-growing sites. Sourced from deep, granitic soils and exposed to the cool, intense maritime breezes sweeping in from Monterey Bay, the low-yielding Pisoni clone vines produce fruit of exceptional concentration, structure, and vibrant acidity. Paul Lato's minimal-intervention winemaking philosophy—utilizing gentle handling, native yeast fermentation, and aging in French oak barrels—allows the dark berry flavors, exotic spices, and deep mineral undertones of this exceptional site to shine through with purity and a signature velvety texture.
🍾 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.