Cote, Domaine de la
Summary
Domaine de la Côte is a boutique Pinot Noir producer founded by sommelier Rajat Parr and winemaker Sashi Moorman in Santa Barbara County's Sta. Rita Hills AVA, where their 30 acres of densely-planted vineyards benefit from a cool Pacific-influenced microclimate and distinctive marine-based soils. Their minimalist winemaking approach—featuring whole cluster fermentation, native yeasts, and restrained oak usage—yields lower-alcohol wines that have quickly established the estate as a standard-bearer for site-specific, terroir-driven California Pinot Noir since their first commercial vintage in 2011.
Heritage & Leadership
Domaine de la Côte was founded in 2007 as a collaborative project between winemaker Sashi Moorman and sommelier Rajat Parr. The partnership emerged from their previous work together at Evening Land Vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills appellation of Santa Barbara County. While the project began in 2007, their first commercial vintage was released in 2011, and they subsequently purchased the estate vineyards from Evening Land in 2013.
The leadership of Domaine de la Côte remains firmly in the hands of its two founders. Rajat Parr brings his considerable expertise as the former wine director for the Michael Mina restaurant group, where he developed his reputation as a sommelier with exceptional knowledge of fine wines. Sashi Moorman contributes his technical winemaking experience developed through years working with various Santa Barbara County wineries. Together, they have built Domaine de la Côte into a focused producer dedicated to expressing the unique terroir of their Sta. Rita Hills vineyards. The winery is part of a larger portfolio that includes Sandhi Wines, another collaborative project between Parr and Moorman.
The winery was a founding member of In Pursuit of Balance, an organization that promoted wines of restraint and lower alcohol levels until its disbandment in 2016. This association reflects the philosophical approach that has guided Domaine de la Côte since its inception.
Vineyards & Wines
Domaine de la Côte's estate is situated on the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in Santa Barbara County, California. The property encompasses approximately 40 acres in total, with around 30 acres under vine. The estate is divided into six distinct vineyards: Bloom's Field, La Côte, Memorious, Siren's Call, Clos Juliet, and Defendente. Each vineyard has its own character, contributing to the site-specific wines produced from them.
The vineyards benefit from an extremely cool microclimate heavily influenced by marine air from the nearby Pacific Ocean. This maritime influence creates ideal conditions for growing Pinot Noir with bright acidity and nuanced flavors. The soils are primarily marine-based, featuring a mix of diatomaceous earth, clay, and limestone, which contribute to the distinctive mineral character found in the wines.
The vineyards are planted at high density, with approximately 4,000-7,000 vines per acre, following European planting models rather than traditional California spacing. The elevation of the vineyards ranges from approximately 200 to 700 feet above sea level, with varying exposures across the estate.
Domaine de la Côte focuses exclusively on Pinot Noir, producing both single-vineyard designate wines from each of their estate vineyards and an estate blend simply called "Domaine de la Côte" that incorporates fruit from multiple vineyard sites. Their wines are characterized by lower alcohol levels, typically 12-13%, with higher natural acidity than is common in many California Pinot Noirs.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking philosophy at Domaine de la Côte centers on minimal intervention, allowing the distinctive character of their vineyard sites to be expressed with clarity and precision. This approach begins in the vineyard with biodynamic and organic farming practices that foster vineyard health and grape quality, though the estate is not officially certified in either category.
All fruit is harvested by hand, ensuring that only the highest quality grapes enter the winery. The winemaking process features whole cluster fermentation, with varying percentages depending on the vineyard and vintage conditions. Fermentations are conducted using only native yeasts present on the grapes and in the winery.
The aging program at Domaine de la Côte employs minimal new oak, typically between 10-30%, which allows the fruit and site character to remain at the forefront. The wines undergo little to no filtration or fining, and sulfur additions are kept to a minimum, adhering to their low-intervention approach.
This combination of thoughtful farming and careful winemaking results in wines that display the cool-climate character of the Sta. Rita Hills, with an emphasis on elegance and site expression rather than power or extraction. The wines reflect the marine-influenced terroir of their western Sta. Rita Hills location while showing the restraint and precision that has become the hallmark of Domaine de la Côte.