PRODUCER: Domaine de la Côte
REGION: STA.RITA HILLS AVA, CALIFORNIA
FOUNDER/WINEMAKER: RAJAT PARR & SASHI MOORMAN
Established in 2013, Domaine de la Côte has emerged as a beacon of exceptional New World Pinot Noir, quickly gaining a cult following and providing a compelling alternative to traditional Burgundian styles. Renowned sommelier Rajat Parr and acclaimed winemaker Sashi Moorman craft wines that resonate globally, contributing to the growing allure of Californian Pinot. These are some of the most coveted Californian wines of our time.
Winery History
Domaine de la Côte is a collaborative venture born from the passion and expertise of Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman. Nestled in the Santa Rita Hills, the duo seized the opportunity to acquire and cultivate this exceptional 40-acre parcel when Evening Land divested their Santa Barbara vineyard holdings. Here, the dedication to producing single-vineyard Pinot Noirs that distinctly echo their terroir is paramount. Their wines have rapidly ascended to cult status, with an annual production of only 5000 cases, accentuating their rarity and desirability. The site was originally developed in 2007 by Sashi Moorman and Chris King for Evening Land.
Viticulture/Winemaking Style
Residing on a south-facing slope in the Santa Rita Hills, the property reveals an array of unique geological traits, bolstered by a 25 million-year-old silex and diatomaceous seabed foundation. This is a place where vines wage a daily battle against the elements, digging deep into the fractured bedrock to find the sustenance they need. The distinctive geography of the Sta. Rita Hills, running from west to east, draws in cool, nurturing winds from the Pacific Ocean, further refining the elegant and distinct character of the wines produced here.
The vineyards - Memorious, Bloom’s Field, Siren’s Call, Clos Juliet, and La Côte - each exhibit unique geology, aspect, elevation, and microclimate, culminating in incredible variation and a range of beautifully distinct Pinot Noirs. Embracing an organic farming approach and a minimalistic wine-making philosophy, the Domaine's wines are fermented with high levels of stem inclusion, infusing the wines with additional freshness and silky tannins. The unique combination of geology and marine-chilled climate of the area enhances the remarkable diversity of their Pinot Noirs, creating wines of profound complexity and nuance.
Grape Varieties
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Did you know?
Before making a global impact with Domaine de la Côte, Raj Parr polished his craft at Calera and then with the renowned Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat. This collaboration led to the creation of Parr’s own label, Parr Selections, a precursor to the celebrated Sandhi and the now esteemed Domaine de la Côte.
in the press
"These are wines that eschew the heavy-handed, overripe approach of so many Californian producers. They are beautifully elegant, always refreshing and effortlessly drinkable.” - Jancis Robinson MW
"Sashi Moorman is one of the most thoughtful growers in the Sta. Rita Hills. Over the years, Moorman and winemaking partner Rajat Parr have refined their approach here, starting with the estate vineyard, which is now separated into distinct sections." - Antonio Galloni
