Le Bon Vivant Chardonnay
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–8 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted chicken, creamy mushroom risotto, grilled sea bass
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Paul Lato's Chardonnays are celebrated for their Burgundian elegance blended with California's vibrant fruit character. Sourced from prestigious, cool-climate vineyards in Santa Barbara County, including the Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills, these wines benefit from maritime breezes and morning fog that preserve natural acidity. While the 'Le Bon Vivant' moniker is most famously associated with his expressive Grenache, Lato's Chardonnay winemaking philosophy remains consistent: utilizing native yeast fermentation, gentle pressing, and aging in select French oak barrels. The result is a texturized, complex white wine that balances rich stone fruit and citrus notes with a distinct mineral backbone, reflecting Lato's background as a sommelier who designs wines to elevate the dining experience.
🍾 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.