Le Machin, which translates roughly from French as "the thing" or "the whatsit," captures the mischievous spirit behind this Santa Barbara County project from Mike Roth and Craig Winchester of Lo-Fi Wines. The name is fitting: this is wine that resists easy categorization, grown organically, made with indigenous yeasts, and bottled with as little intervention as the vintage allows.
Backstory
Mike Roth and Craig Winchester have known each other since their teenage years. They launched Lo-Fi Wines in 2012, with commercial releases beginning around 2014, while Roth was simultaneously working as winemaker at Coquelicot Estate in Los Olivos. Le Machin emerged as a distinct label focused on CCOF-certified organic fruit, allowing Roth to work with parcels and grapes that expressed the particular character of the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Barbara County more broadly.
The Region
Le Machin works in Santa Barbara County, which is defined by its transverse mountain ranges, which channel cold Pacific air and fog inland, creating growing conditions that are far cooler than California's latitude would suggest. The Santa Rita Hills sub-appellation is particularly cold, and the marine influence produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with pronounced acidity and long hang times that allow for full flavor development at relatively low sugar levels.
Vineyards and Farming
Le Machin sources from CCOF-certified organic vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills and greater Santa Barbara County. The primary varieties are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah. CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) certification requires full adherence to the USDA National Organic Program standards. Roth's background includes training at biodynamic estates Demetria and Martian Ranch, and his standards for sourcing reflect that foundation.
Winemaking
The Le Machin philosophy follows the Lo-Fi model: indigenous yeasts only, no tannin additions, little or no sulfur dioxide, and neutral vessels to avoid adding oak character to the fruit. Roth describes his ideal as a "tradesman's" approach to winemaking, emphasizing craft and consistency over flash. The goal is wines that reflect the vintage and the site rather than the winemaker's intervention.
The Wines
Core Le Machin releases include a Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir, a Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir, a Chardonnay, and a Passe-Tout-Grains, a French-inspired blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay. The wines are marked by their brightness, approachability, and clear sense of place within a California wine culture that is increasingly looking toward lower intervention and lighter styles.
