Photos: Tatomer Wines

Winemaker Graham Tatomer checks out a glass of Riesling at Tatomer Wines in Santa Maria, Calif. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Nov. 6, 2014 5:35 PM PT

Santa Barbara native Graham Tatomer first got into wine when he was in high school. He’s learned a lot living and working in Austria with Emmerich Knoll, one of the the world’s top Riesling producers.

Tatomer offers a wineglass salute amid 60-gallon barrels containing Pinot Noir. Tatomer says he is drawn to wines that are “energizers,” including Pinot Noir and Reisling. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Tatomer relaxes next to a few Tatomer Wines vintages. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Tatomer checks out a stainless steel vat used to ferment and age the wine at Tatomer Wines. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Tatomer enjoys some Riesling. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Tatomer samples a glass of Pinot Noir to make sure it hasn’t gone bad, before using a hose, connected to a keg, containing the wine, to top off barrels at Tatomer Wines. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)