Matinee Pinot Noir
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 2–7 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck, wild mushroom risotto, seared salmon
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Paul Lato's 'Matinee' Pinot Noir is crafted as an inviting prelude to his highly acclaimed single-vineyard masterpieces. Drawing inspiration from the world of cinema and theater—a recurring theme in Lato's cuvée names—the 'Matinee' represents an early-show performance that is accessible, vibrant, and immediately engaging. Sourced from select premier vineyards across Santa Barbara County, this wine beautifully marries the cool-climate energy of the Santa Maria Valley with the structured intensity of the Sta. Rita Hills. Lato applies the same meticulous, minimal-intervention winemaking techniques here as he does for his reserve bottlings, utilizing gentle French oak aging to shape a Pinot Noir defined by its silky texture, bright red fruit aromatics, and elegant balance. It captures the essence of the Central Coast's maritime-influenced terroir in a style that is both sophisticated and approachable.
🍾 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.