Souvenir Sierra Madre Chardonnay
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Pan-seared sea scallops, roasted chicken with herbs, creamy mushroom risotto
✨ Technical Specifications
Crafted by master sommelier turned winemaker Paul Lato, the 'Souvenir' Chardonnay is a liquid homage to the historic Sierra Madre Vineyard. First planted in 1971, Sierra Madre is one of the foundational sites of the Santa Maria Valley, celebrated for its cool, maritime climate and free-draining sandy soils. The name 'Souvenir' reflects Lato's desire to capture a sensory keepsake of this unique terroir. Influenced by persistent ocean breezes and morning fog, the grapes undergo a slow ripening process that preserves vibrant natural acidity. In the cellar, Lato employs traditional Burgundian techniques, including native yeast fermentation and aging in select French oak barrels. The resulting wine is a masterful balance of rich, textured weight and energetic, mineral-driven tension, showcasing notes of stone fruit, citrus blossom, and subtle toasted brioche.
🍾 About the Producer
Founded in 2002 by Polish-born former sommelier Paul Lato, Paul Lato Wines is an acclaimed boutique winery based in Santa Barbara County, California. Guided by an artisanal, hands-off winemaking philosophy that prioritizes terroir transparency and balance, Lato works with some of the Central Coast's most prestigious cool-climate vineyards, including Bien Nacido, Solomon Hills, and Larner. The winery has achieved international critical acclaim for its intensely aromatic, textured, and nuanced small-lot Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, and Chardonnay, which are celebrated for their pure fruit expression, structural precision, and distinctive poetic cuvée designations.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Chardonnay
🍷 Alcohol By Volume (ABV)
14.1-14.5%