Lumiere Larner Grenache
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–10 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, rosemary-infused pork tenderloin
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Hailing from the wind-swept, sandy soils of the Larner Vineyard in the Ballard Canyon AVA of Santa Barbara County, Paul Lato's 'Lumiere' Grenache is a stunning testament to the potential of Rhône varieties in this unique microclimate. The name 'Lumiere'—French for 'light'—alludes to both the cinematic passions of Lato and the radiant, translucent ruby hue of the wine itself. Eschewing the heavy, over-extracted style sometimes found in New World Grenache, Lato focuses on capturing the grape's natural elegance, high-toned aromatics, and vibrant acidity. The sandy terroir of Larner Vineyard contributes distinct floral notes, white pepper spice, and fine-grained tannins, resulting in a wine of remarkable purity, tension, and silkiness.
🍾 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.