Producer Profile
Littorai Wines
California, USA

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Littorai Wines

Sonoma County, California, USA

A world-famous, innovative and self-sustaining project making the best of Sonoma’s coastal wines

Littorai Wines stands as a beacon of artisanal winemaking in the heart of Sonoma County, California. With a deep respect for nature, commitment to sustainable practices and dedication to craft terroir-driven wines, their focus on regenerative farming and low-intervention winemaking has garnered widespread admiration and has become a notable name in the world of fine wines.

Location: Sonoma County, California, USA

Website: https://www.littorai.com/

Viticulture: Regenerative farming – practise organic and biodynamic

Interesting fact:Littorai, founded in 1993 by Ted Lemon, is renowned for producing small-batch, single-vineyard wines that express the unique characteristics of their origin. Littorai is a plural derived from the Latin word “Litor”, meaning the zone where land meets water—a nod to the winery’s location close to the Pacific Ocean.

Littorai Wines

Ted Lemon found Littorai with a vision to produce wines that truly reflect their origins. Prior to Littorai, Ted gained invaluable experience working at esteemed Burgundian estates, such as Domaine Delorme and Domaine Dujac, just to name a few. With a background in France, then in Napa Valley and consultant experience in Oregon and New Zealand, it lays the foundation for Littorai’s distinctive approach, blending Old World sensibilities with a New World spirit.

Over the years, Littorai has earned a reputation for its relentless commitment to sustainable practices and minimal intervention, positioning the winery as a leader in organic and biodynamic viticulture.

Their viticulture approach is focused on the idea of generative agriculture, emphising on healthy soil and a healthy planet. As such, they avoid any kind of commercial chemicals in the vineyards, only using estate-produced compost and natural materials as fertilizer.

Ted’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the vineyards. They actively engage in conservation efforts to preserve the surrounding natural beauty. Littorai is the pioneer in using “by-the-acre” contracts for vineyards they buy fruits from. Under this system, growers are paid by acreage rather than by weight of crops. This encourages growers to focus on quality instead of quantity. Today, 85% of the fruits they use are farmed with biodynamic methods and the rest are grown only using an organic approach.

In the winery, the team employs minimal intervention methods, allowing the wines to express their inherent qualities. This intuitive approach to winemaking involves gentle handling and minimal manipulation, enabling the wines to evolve organically. The use of French oak barrels further refines the character of the wines, adding subtle nuances without overshadowing the terroir-driven flavours.

From the precise and elegant Chardonnays that showcase its coastal terroir to the expressive single vineyard Pinot Noirs, Littorai’s wines are a testament to the artistry and precision that define the winery. With a keen focus on single-vineyard-driven wines, their wines are not only a delight to the senses but also a homage to the land that nurtures them.