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Press Releases
Click on the press release below to read more
For more information contact:
Tami Carija, Director of Marketing
tami@tolosawinery.com
805-782-0300 ext. 24
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"Late Harvest Finally Swings into Action" Annual Ceremony at Tolosa Winery Celebrates by Blessing the Grapes
San Luis Obispo, CA (Sept. 22, 2006)—At last, harvest is in full swing on the Central Coast of California. The grapes took their time each step of the way: they were late in budding, in veraison, and to harvest. While a late harvest occurs once every five years, the extraordinary thing about this year is how late the bloom began. “It occurred some three weeks later than usual and was of significant concern to everyone up and down the state,” says Jim Efird, Principal and Vineyard Manager of Tolosa Winery.
But not to worry, patience will be rewarded due to this year’s concentrated grapes. Quips
Senior Winemaker Larry Brooks, “Unique is a good thing for me because it means that the wines, when fully ripened, will have a flavor profile unlike anything we have seen before. Because the primary varietal for Tolosa is Pinot Noir, which is one of the earliest to ripen, the risk is relatively low for us. The crop is ridiculously small in the best parts of the vineyard so it should produce exceptionally concentrated wines. The small bit of Syrah we make will be the nail-biter as it is a late varietal that likes the heat. Being at the mercy of the weather is what makes winemakers either incurable optimists (my camp) or religious fatalists (option B - see Blessing of the Grapes).”
The annual Blessing of the Grapes ceremony is held at Tolosa Winery at the beginning of each harvest. This tradition found its roots in the St. Benedict’s Monastery at Monte Casino in Italy during the seventh century and was brought to California by the Franciscan Missionaries. The first blessing of wine in California was by Fr. Jos� Bernardo S�nchez at San Gabriel Mission in 1807. The blessing has much religious significance due to the belief that the wine is transubstantiated into the blood of Christ during Holy Sacrament of Eucharist. Thus, the prayers, which are found in the Book of Blessings, ask that the grapes, and the wine, turn out well. Fr. Luis Antonio Martinez, pastor of Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa blessed grapes not far from the present day Tolosa Winery and vineyards beginning in 1812. Local historian Dan Krieger was on hand at Tolosa’s Blessing of the Grapes today to share more about the significance of Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and the Tolosa vineyards.
Tolosa Winery is located in the heart of the California’s Central Coast wine country, minutes outside San Luis Obispo, and four miles in from the Pacific Ocean, Tolosa Winery embraces the region with estate bottled and produced wines expressive of its terroir. Balanced grape growing and focused winemaking are the cornerstones of Tolosa Winery. Tolosa draws its name from Mission San Luis de Tolosa, which established the most renowned wines of early California. Tolosa is a producer of ultra premium Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, in addition to wines available strictly at the winery. Tolosa Winery features a state of the art winery and tasting room; the tasting room is open daily from 11-6. For additional information, please visit www.tolosawinery.com, or contact the winery at: (805) 782-0300, 4910 Edna Road, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT WAGSTAFF WORLDWIDE AT 323.871.1151
LARRY BROOKS NAMED SENIOR WINEMAKER AT TOLOSA
On April 17, 2006 Bob Schiebelhut, principal at Courtside Cellars and Tolosa Winery, announced that Senior Winemaker Ed Filice has been appointed to the recently created position of Winemaker Grower Liaison. Courtside Cellars, home of Tolosa Winery, has developed a new innovative program for growers, in response to the important growing bulk market on the Central Coast. Mr. Filice will identify and work with growers “partners” for a sustainable program with Courtside Cellars. Ed is the perfect person to build this new program. He did a terrific job in building our Tolosa Brand in just 5 years. A genuine “people” person, Ed is the ideal liaison to organize and coordinate vineyards up and down the Central Coast in “partnering” with Courtside Cellars to produce exceptional wines.
Larry Brooks has been appointed Senior Winemaker, working along side Winemaker Nathan Carlson. He has been a consultant winemaker for Courtside Cellars and Tolosa Winery for almost 5 years. “Larry brings a wealth of knowledge in winemaking and winegrowing with his 25 years of experience. He is an acknowledged expert on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Tolosa’s flagship varieties. We are very fortunate to have Larry on our team”, commented Schiebelhut. “He brings immense and diversified experience to Tolosa: Mr. Brook’s particular expertise in the integration of vineyard and winemaking with wine marketing will be a considerable asset to the Tolosa brand.”
TOLOSA’S LATEST RELEASE IS FOR THE BIG SCREEN
San Luis Obispo, CA (November 11, 2005) – Move aside “Sideways”, Tolosa Winery is proud to present “My Life As A Grape”, the latest film to feature the stunning scenery of the Central Coast of California. But unlike its predecessor, the star of this film is not an actor, it’s a grape. In fact, “My Life As A Grape” follows the life of one unassuming Pinot Noir grape from grapehood to fully matured wine. The film is described as “a classic coming of age story”.
Shot entirely at Tolosa on the Edna Ranch in San Luis Obispo, the film gives a real insider’s view into what it takes to make it as a world-class wine. The film reveals, for example, that Tolosa selects their grapes from less than 10% of their entire population. “The pressure, it’s enough to make any grape shrink,” says the film’s star. As the drama unfolds, viewers are transported from the vineyard to the winery and finally, to the tasting room where the Pinot Noir grape overcomes the odds and realizes his dream.
“My Life As A Grape” recently premiered at Tolosa’s Heritage Room to a V.I.P. crowd and received rave reviews. “It’s really accurate (about the grapes) and entertaining,” commented Ed Filice, Tolosa’s winemaker. The film’s star, Pinot Noir, was also at hand for the opening. The movie is now available for wide release and is available at Tolosa’s tasting room and on their website, www.tolosawinery.com. “My Life As A Grape” is rated G for grapeness.
Tolosa Winery is located on 720 acres of Edna Ranch property in San Luis Obispo, CA 4910 Edna Ranch Road – Tasting Room Open Daily 11-6 – 805-782-0500
TOLOSA WINERY CELEBRATES THE BEGINNING OF HARVEST WITH “BLESSING OF THE GRAPES”
The time honored tradition of “Blessing of the Grapes” will be held at Tolosa Winery on Thursday, September 15th at 11:30 am.
Local historian Dan Kreger will be on hand to share the significance of Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and the Tolosa vineyards of today. The history dates back to the 1770’s through the 1830’s when Father Antonio Luis Martinez' plantings were located not far from the current Tolosa vineyards, and were considered to be the finest of all the mission grapes. Many of the cuttings still serve our wine industry today.
Tolosa’s Winemaker Ed Filice will describe the Edna Ranch vineyards, their grapes and the 2005 vintage. “The blessing is a centuries old tradition to give thanks for a safe harvest, and an outstanding vintage. We are honored Father Derek from Old Mission Church will perform this special ceremony”, said Filice Tolosa’s Senior Winemaker.
VINEYARD TO BOTTLE EXPERIENCE
Tolosa Winery’s Self-Guided Tour Takes the Mystery Out Of the Winemaking Process.
Tolosa Winery has completed installation of an innovative, self-guided tour that demystifies the wine making process. “This is for anyone who’s taken a winery tour and thought, "Wow, that’s a lot to absorb." "Our self-guided tour makes the process easy to understand,” said Robert Schiebelhut, Tolosa Principal.
The self-guided tour was modeled after those used in national parks. Stainless-steel engraved plaques illustrate simply and elegantly every step in the winemaking process; a virtual vineyard to bottle experience. The tour begins outside on the patio overlooking Tolosa’s Edna Ranch Vineyards and their crush pad. It finishes inside their contemporary tasting room where a large window overlooks the tank room. Along the window, visitors can read about the wine making process from fermentation to bottling.
TOLOSA GOES TO HOLLYWOOD
2/10/2005
Tolosa Winery was selected to showcase their wines and participate in the media and star-studded launch of legendary producer Robert Evans' new satellite talk show titled “In Bed with Robert Evans”. The famous producer is well known for some of the greatest movies of our time, The Godfather, Chinatown, Alfie, Urban Cowboy, Marathon Man, The Saint, and many more.
The party was held at Evans' infamous house, “Woodland”, in Beverly Hills, on February 10th, to the exclusive 150-person guest list that included the head of Sirius satellite TV and radio, executives at Microsoft and such celebrities as, Jack Nicholson, Matt McConaughney, Liam Neeson, Jewel, Robert Downey Jr., Gina Gershon and Sean Combs.
Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood and E! were there to cover the auspicious event.
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