History of Tolosa Vineyards

Tolosa’s name reflects the long history of winemaking in the Edna Valley Appellation.  Over two hundred years ago the friars at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa began the first vineyards in the county. These early wines were highly valued throughout California. Today, Tolosa honors that legacy by producing remarkable wines from this small coastal wine region.

The first vineyard plantings in early California came with the establishment of the missions. The vineyard at the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa was the first planted in San Luis Obispo County and was situated in what is now the Edna Valley appellation. Original documents show the quality of wine produced from this mission was highly valued and often traded to other missions.

In the 1870’s, Pierre Hyppolite Dallidet grafted French cuttings onto the rootstock still surviving from the mission era. Some of the original rootstocks survived prohibition and are part of the Edna Valley appellation today.

Like the Burgundy region of France, the valley has balanced hot days with cool nights, and challenging soil. The weather conditions prove ideal for producing grape clusters that are fewer in number, but linger longer on the vine to yield flavor of exquisite intensity.

The tradition at Tolosa is the commitment to evoke the natural sophistication inherent in the grapes in the Edna Valley. We focus on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah varietals that yield the most intense results under our growing conditions. We follow a slow handcrafting process that nurtures the wine through periodic gentle racking and minimal filtration. We allow nature to determine the character of each vintage. This is the way California’s winemaking heritage first began, and this is the way it will always be at Tolosa.