Matinee Syrah
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 3–8 years from vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, rosemary-infused venison
✨ Technical Specifications
Paul Lato's 'Matinee' Syrah is crafted as an inviting prelude to the winemaker's highly acclaimed single-vineyard masterpieces. Named 'Matinee' to evoke the accessible, early-day charm of an afternoon theater screening, this cuvée is designed to offer immediate pleasure and expressive fruit character while maintaining the high standards of craftsmanship associated with the estate. Sourced from select cool-climate vineyards within Santa Barbara County, the fruit benefits from the region's unique transverse mountain ranges, which draw in maritime fog and chilly Pacific breezes. This slow-ripening environment allows the Syrah grapes to develop rich, complex flavors of dark berries, cracked black pepper, and savory herbs while preserving a vibrant spine of natural acidity. Through gentle handling and precise oak aging, Lato coaxes out a beautifully textured, plush, and harmonious cool-climate Syrah.
🍾 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
Syrah