Tolosa’s Pinot Noir AVA Series: A Coastal Journey in Every Glass
Tolosa’s Pinot Noir AVA Series: A Coastal Journey in Every Glass
Pinot Noir is often called the “heartbreak grape” for its delicacy in the vineyard, but when nurtured in the right places, it produces wines of remarkable elegance, depth, and soul. At Tolosa, our Pinot Noir AVA Series celebrates this noble varietal by exploring four of California’s most esteemed coastal appellations: Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands, Sta. Rita Hills, and our own San Luis Obispo Coast.
Each bottle is a tribute to place, shaped by the climate, soils, and history of its origin. Together, they offer a journey along the California coast, where cool ocean breezes and unique terroirs bring Pinot Noir to life in distinct and captivating ways.
Pinot Noir 2022
Russian River Valley
The 2022 growing season in the Russian River Valley delivered ideal cool-climate conditions and an unhurried harvest, allowing grapes to ripen with exceptional balance.
This medium-bodied wine opens with intriguing notes of leather, smoked brisket, mushroom, and graham cracker, layered with the brightness of dried cherry and cranberry. On the palate, juicy textures unfold into rose, dark cherry, and baking cacao, finishing with a fresh, slightly tart lift and an earthy undertone that lingers.
Pinot Noir 2022
Santa Lucia Highlands
Sourced from the heart of the AVA at 1,250 feet elevation, the Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir shows the vibrancy and structure that this elevated coastal site is known for.
The nose is alive with bright cherry and raspberry, accented by potpourri, cherry cola, and rose petals. The palate delivers rhubarb, cranberry, and cherry, with subtle threads of fennel and tea, all supported by a graceful frame from nine months in 100% French oak.
Pinot Noir 2022
Sta. Rita Hills
From the cool-climate Sta. Rita Hills AVA in the Santa Ynez Valley, this wine captures the hallmark precision and elegance of the region. Its medium ruby hue hints at the layered aromas within: black cherry, cranberry, and wild berry, complemented by anise, dried herbs, and cola. The palate is smooth and generous, with concentrated raspberry and pomegranate, and a subtle backdrop of ginger, earth, and forest floor that speaks to its coastal origins.
Pinot Noir 2022
San Luis Obispo Coast
Our home appellation, the San Luis Obispo Coast, brings together the finest vineyard sites in Edna Valley for a wine of finesse and depth. This medium-light ruby Pinot Noir greets with aromas of raspberry, dark cherry, graham cracker, new leather, and black tea. On the palate, ripe cherry, plum, and strawberry mingle with black olive, peppercorn, and toast, leading to an exceptionally balanced, long, and layered finish. This is a pure expression of our coastal terroir.
A Celebration of Terroir
The Tolosa Pinot Noir AVA Series is more than a collection of wines. It is a sensory voyage along California’s Pacific edge. Each glass reveals how climate, soil, and winemaking artistry converge to shape Pinot Noir in nuanced, memorable ways. Whether you enjoy them side-by-side in a tasting flight or savor each one individually, this series offers a rare opportunity to taste California’s coastal diversity through the lens of Pinot Noir.
📍 Visit us at Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo, in the heart of the Edna Valley.