Domaine De La Côte grows grapes in one of the coldest and most windswept microclimates in California. Located on the far western edge of the Santa Rita Hills appellation close to the Pacific Ocean, these vines struggle to produce and ripen fruit.

Due to cool foggy weather in the spring flowering is often a long process for these vines - taking as long as 6 weeks to finish. This causes a somewhat uneven fruit set. Berries of various sizes can be clearly noted here in this picture. Because Pinot Noir is a thin skinned grape that can fully ripen in cooler climates this variation does not cause negative effects, but rather serves to add depth and complexity to the finished wines. Domaine De La Côte has pushed the boundaries on where winegrowing can succeed, and their wines reveal a beauty only possible from the most compelling terroir.