Why it matters
The producer
Ted Lemon received an Enology degree from the Université de Dijon in 1981. He later became the first American hired as winemaker and vineyard manager of Domaine Guy Roulot in Meursault, where he resided until 1984.
Littorai Wines is a small family owned and operated winery producing vineyard designated Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Its production draws equally from estate and grower vineyards, keeping both owned properties and long term vineyard relationships in the range.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
The Lemons identified the coastal hills of Sonoma and Mendocino counties as an underexplored area for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Littorai's wines come from this true north coast of California, with vineyard relationships extending through the Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley.
The producer also maintains the Sonoma Coast's longest running contract with Hirsch Vineyards. Its early vineyard designated wines included Charles Heintz Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs from Savoy, Roman, Cerise and Wendling.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
Littorai completed construction of the winery at Gold Ridge Estate in 2008. Pinot Noirs receive a cold soak before fermentation, a technique that holds the grapes at low temperature before alcohol forms. Chardonnays are pressed as whole clusters, sending intact bunches to the press.
The wines undergo native yeast fermentation and complete malolactic fermentation when conditions permit. Malolactic fermentation converts sharper malic acid into softer lactic acid. The house rejects cultured yeasts, cultured bacteria, acidification and enzymes.
Wines to know
The range in view
Littorai makes about 18 wines annually, including many single vineyard bottlings. The range includes regional Chardonnay and vineyard designated Pinot Noir, with named wines such as Charles Heintz Chardonnay, Savoy, Roman, Cerise, Wendling, Pivot and Hirsch.
The 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a regional white with crisp green apple and stony mineral character. The range then moves into more specific vineyard wines, including the 2022 Pivot Vineyard Pinot Noir, the 2022 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir and the Anderson Valley Les Larmes Pinot Noir.