In this episode, Ted Lemon, the founder of Littorai Wines and a true master in the language of wine, shares his wisdom, years of experience, and passion for making wines of character that showcase the land--specifically Pinot Noir & Chardonnay. We delve into his journey, whose passion for wine was ignited during his formative years in Burgundy. Ted shares his story of how he stumbled upon winemaking and became one of the few Americans to ever lead a Burgundian estate, and then upon returning to the US soon was drawn to the Sonoma Coast. He discusses the challenges of launching a self-financed wine business, his deep reverence for terroir-driven wines and a commitment to minimal intervention, along with with his decision to transition into a biodynamic estate and how this has influenced every aspect of his wine growing. He also talks about how wine truly is a language and an aesthetic medium, capable of being heard–if we can learn to listen.
In this episode we discuss:
- Ted’s experience in Burgundy and how that shaped his path in wine and a deep love for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
- The challenges of bootstrapping and growing his wine business and how Littorai grew from sourced fruit to an established, renowned, self-financed, profitable winery
- The important difference between aesthetic and ‘technocratic’ wines and why aesthetic wines as a medium constitute a language
- His decision to transition to biodynamic farming and how that has impacted the health of his vineyards and vision of Littorai
- His pivotal role in helping West Sonoma claim its own appellation and protecting the future of this viticulture region
Resources:
Instagram: @littorai
Website: www.littorai.com