Ora Labora Bien Nacido Grenache
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–10 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck breast, grilled lamb chops, wild mushroom ragout
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Named 'Ora Labora'—Latin for 'pray and work'—this cuvée pays homage to the monastic devotion of historical winemakers, a philosophy that resonates deeply with Paul Lato's meticulous, hands-on approach. Sourced from the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard in the cool Santa Maria Valley, this Grenache benefits from the region's unique transverse mountain range, which funnels chilly Pacific breezes and fog directly into the vines. This cool-climate terroir allows the Grenache grapes to undergo a long, slow ripening process, preserving vibrant acidity while developing complex layers of white pepper, wild strawberry, and dried floral notes. Crafted with minimal intervention, the wine is aged in select French oak barrels to enhance its silky texture and seamless structure, resulting in an exceptionally elegant and perfumed expression of California Grenache.
🍾 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.