The larger of the two components in the wine comes from Drum Canyon, which is on the northeastern edge of Santa Rita Hills. The other is drawn from Rancho San Julian Vineyard, a high-elevation hillside on the other side of the mountains behind the southern side of Santa Rita Hills.
The Drum Canyon portion is planted on clayey to sandy loam soils. Rancho San Julian is planted on alluvial soils consisting of diatomaceous and siliceous mixtures.
Pain Perdu translates to “lost bread”, a dessert made by taking stale bread and whipping it up into a delicious, even beautiful dish. The name aims to explain Fabien Castel and co.’s relationship to the region and their ambition to explore its untapped potential of terroir, original micro-climates, and its people.
The project was born out of serendipity and friendship: The meeting of an unconventional winemaker, who trained with an old master from the Central Coast, and a family of passionate wine professionals who developed a unique culture of sharing stories that enrich the wine experience.