Tasting Notes
Producer Profile
Heidi and Ted Lemon are behind this family run winery which was created in 1993. Ted began his career in Burgundy after earning an oenology degree at the University of Dijon in 1981. He has worked for some top Burgundian estates, such as Roumier, Bruno Clair, Aubert de Villaine and Domaine Dujac. Ted's skills earned him a position as winemaker and vineyard manager at Domaine Guy Roulot in Meursault, being the first American ever to do so in Burgundy! His winemaking prowess also earned him the affectionate nickname Le Comte Citron; the crowned lemon on all of the Littorai bottles are a reference to this. Heidi's path to farming was inspired by living and working in Germany following college and her subsequent work at several wineries in California, including Robert Long Vineyards and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. In 1992, the Lemons set out to look for the best spot to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, which they believe is along the littoral (coastal) zones of the continent. They finally found their spot in the 'true' north coast of California - the coastal mountains of Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. The varied soils and moderate climate with cooling fog provide the ideal environment to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The majority of the sites are farmed biodynamically and all sites are farmed using only organic materials. Littorai does not use certification systems. Having thoroughly studied the works of Rudolf Steiner, who believed in individual responsibility as part of the biodynamic philosophy, Ted finds it hard to reconcile the fact that becoming certified would involve conceding some of his responsibility to external auditors, who cannot know and understand the sites as he does. We have focused on their Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley wines, as the cool climate in these beautiful parts of California gives wines of superb elegance.
