Les Bons Amis Pinot Noir
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 2–8 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck breast, creamy mushroom risotto, seared salmon
✨ Technical Specifications
Paul Lato's 'Les Bons Amis' (The Good Friends) Pinot Noir is a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of friendship and collaboration that defines the Santa Barbara winemaking community. Sourced from prestigious, cool-climate vineyards within Santa Barbara County, this cuvée is crafted to be both approachable and deeply complex. True to Lato's minimalist philosophy, the grapes undergo gentle destemming, native yeast fermentation, and aging in carefully selected French oak barrels. The resulting wine beautifully captures the region's signature maritime influence, offering a harmonious balance of vibrant red fruit, delicate earthiness, and a silky, refined texture that makes it a joy to share.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2002 by Polish-born former Toronto sommelier Paul Lato, this boutique Central Coast winery emerged after early mentorship from Au Bon Climat's Jim Clendenen and encouragement from Bien Nacido's Bob Miller. Operating without estate acreage, Lato contracts premier, meticulously farmed plots across premier maritime-influenced cool-climate terroirs, spanning the Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, and Los Carneros. The viticultural philosophy focuses on rigorous yield restriction, physiological maturity, and sustainable management tailored block by block. In the cellar, Lato applies an intuitive, non-interventionist approach with small-lot fermentations, ambient yeast, and sensitive French oak aging to deliver exceptional textural tension, purity, and culinary balance. Celebrated white cuvées—including the Hyde Vineyard Goldberg Variations Chardonnay, Sierra Madre Kokoro Chardonnay, Le Bon Vivant, and O Sole Mio Sauvignon Blanc—stand alongside benchmark Pinot Noir and Syrah as some of California's most critically acclaimed, authentic, and seamless single-vineyard expressions.
🍇 Grapes
Pinot Noir
🍷 ABV
14.1-14.3%