The Prospect Sierra Madre Pinot Noir
⏳ Drinking Window
2024 - 2030
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Roasted duck breast, wild mushroom risotto, pan-seared salmon.
✨ Technical Specifications
Crafted by artisanal winemaker Paul Lato, 'The Prospect' is a stunning expression of Pinot Noir sourced from the historic Sierra Madre Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. First planted in 1971, Sierra Madre is celebrated as one of the pioneering cool-climate sites in Santa Barbara County. The vineyard's sandy soils and constant exposure to chilly Pacific breezes and morning fog allow for an extended growing season, resulting in grapes with remarkable flavor concentration and vibrant natural acidity. Paul Lato's minimalist approach in the cellar coaxes out the site's signature ethereal perfume, silky texture, and complex layers of red berries, earth, and subtle spice, embodying his quest for elegance and emotional resonance in every bottle.
🍾 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
Pinot Noir