winery

Piedrasassi

United States

Philosophy

Native yeast fermentation, whole cluster inclusion, aged in large neutral oak, minimal sulfur at bottling only, unfined and unfiltered. Moorman's philosophy privileges terroir clarity and wine's expression at table over technical intervention.

Reputation

Established in 2003 in Lompoc's emerging wine district, Piedrasassi emerges from the convergence of a winemaker trained in Northern Rhône discipline and a chef-partner devoted to artisanal grain cultivation. The house channels California's cool maritime transverse valleys through uncompromising technique: native ferment, whole cluster work, and minimal sulfur.

AllocationOwnership comprises two couples: Sashi Moorman (winemaker, formerly Ojai Vineyards, now also at Sandhi, Domaine de la Côte, Evening Land) + Melissa Sorongon (baker); Peter Pastan (2Amys Pizza DC, Capitoline Vermouth) + Amy Pastan (writer/editor). No formal organic or biodynamic certification found; practices align with natural winemaking but unverified. Production described as 'small' and 'micro,' but no quantified hectarage or bottle count sourced. Slow Food entry references holistic, non-label approach. Distribution expanded nationally post-2012 Skurnik partnership; previously California-only. No production volume or vineyard size data publicly available; estate is negociant model acquiring fruit from multiple Santa Barbara County sites (Bien Nacido, Sebastiano, Harrison Clarke, Rim Rock blocks). Signature bottlings shift by vintage availability per estate philosophy. | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'Luxury Beverage Group (Austria, Australia)' | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'GustoWorld (Belgium)' | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'Crew Distribution (France)' | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'Bacchus Vinothek (Germany)' | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'Andante Wine Project (Korea)' | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'Smaragd Wines (Netherlands)' | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'LaMarc Wines (Norway)' | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'Wine a Lot (Portugal)' | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'Arcodyn Pte Ltd (Singapore)' | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'Villa Viniteca (Spain)' | Importer overflow captured (importer_other): 'The Wine Agency (Sweden)'

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