The Last Kiss
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–12 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, rosemary-infused pork tenderloin
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Crafted by artisanal winemaker Paul Lato, 'The Last Kiss' is a stunning showcase of cool-climate Grenache, primarily sourced from the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Barbara County's Santa Maria Valley. The wine's evocative name hints at its defining characteristic: an incredibly long, seductive, and perfumed finish that lingers on the palate like a memorable farewell. Influenced by the region's unique maritime microclimate, where cool ocean breezes and morning mists sweep through the transverse valleys of the Central Coast, the grapes undergo a slow, even ripening process. This preserves the grape's natural acidity and coaxes out high-toned aromatics of wild strawberries, white pepper, and crushed rose petals. Lato's minimalist approach in the cellar—utilizing gentle extraction and aging in carefully selected French oak—yields a Grenache of remarkable purity, silkiness, and emotional resonance.
🍾 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.