Domaine de la Côte

Founded in 2013 by Raj Parr and Sashi Moorman, Domaine de la Côte has become one of the defining names in modern Californian Pinot Noir, and a leader in the ‘pursuit of balance’ movement. Their vineyards are on complex marine and diatomaceous soils, across six sites, mere miles from the Pacific. 

These are Pinot Noirs of remarkable energy and perfume, heavily influenced by the coastal exposure and its cool winds. Farming is organic and biodynamic, with a strong emphasis on vine balance and biodiversity. Each parcel is harvested and vinified separately, with whole-bunch fermentation and minimal intervention in the cellar to preserve the clarity of site expression.  

In the cellar, they use wild yeasts only, and gentle extraction before ageing in old French oak. There’s a beautiful clarity and purity of fruit here, with finesse that more than resembles fine red Burgundy. The Estate Pinot Noir is a snapshot of the domaine, with the single-vineyard wines – Bloom’s Field, Memorius, La Côte, and Sous le Chêne – highlight the differences between these sites.