Our Story
“The greatest wines begin with an extraordinary place. Our privilege is to honor that place in every bottle we craft and every guest we welcome.”
— Robin Baggett
Our Story
Nestled among the vineyards and rolling volcanic hills of historic Edna Valley in San Luis Obispo, California, Tolosa is a place where the beauty of the landscape, the rhythm of the Pacific Ocean, and the art of winemaking come together in remarkable harmony.
Named in honor of Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and the region’s rich agricultural heritage, Tolosa celebrates one of California’s most distinctive cool-climate winegrowing regions. Here, cool Pacific breezes flow inland through the valley, a long, gentle growing season allows the fruit to mature slowly, and ancient volcanic soils contribute depth, elegance, and character to every vintage. Together, these natural elements create an extraordinary setting for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to flourish.
For vintner Robin Baggett, whose roots in San Luis Obispo County span decades, Tolosa reflects a deep respect for this remarkable place and a vision to craft wines that faithfully express its character. Guided by Old World craftsmanship, our wines are handcrafted with meticulous attention to detail, including French oak barrel fermentation, allowing each vintage to reveal the elegance, texture, and complexity that define Edna Valley.
Set among estate vineyards in the heart of Edna Valley, Tolosa is a place to slow down, breathe in the cool Pacific air, and experience the beauty of one of California’s most remarkable wine regions. We invite you to share a glass with us, explore the vineyards that surround the estate, and discover why this extraordinary place has inspired generations of farmers, winemakers, and travelers alike.
Tolosa’s Vintners
Vintners Robin & Michelle Baggett
Vintner Robin Baggett returned to Edna Valley almost 40 years ago with a law degree and cowboy dreams of owning a cattle ranch like his grandfather. Having graduated from Cal Poly in 1973, he knew the area. He bought a historic ranch in the valley and began running cattle, but the cold Pacific wind and limestone soils made him realize he was on a different kind of frontier – one for world-class cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Being in a region with a grape-growing history that stretches back to the 18th century, when Franciscans at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa produced some of California’s first wines of distinction, planting wine grapes was a natural choice. Robin and his partner Bob Schiebelhut began planting vineyards in 1991, adding several other historic family ranches in the valley over time. Together with Jim Efird, now retired, they founded Tolosa in 1998. Robin’s passion for winemaking was born, and his wine journey began.
Vintner Michelle Baggett began her multifaceted career in the development of hospitality brands before she joined the world of wine. A Georgia native, Michelle’s career designing five-star hotels landed her in Beverly Hills and then Honolulu as a Senior Designer for two of the world’s leading international hotel architectural firms. Her hospitality development background then led her to a position on Hawaiian Airlines’ marketing team and thereafter into a marketing and public relations firm in San Luis Obispo. It was there that Robin and Michelle’s stars aligned.
In 2006, Robin and Michelle embarked on the next stage of their adventure. Together, they founded Alpha Omega in Napa Valley, with the vision of creating world class Bordeaux wines. Procuring prized grapes from the many appellations of Napa Valley, they have established a winery that handcrafts finesse-driven, complex and balanced wines expressing the aromatic profile of the best Napa Valley has to offer.
Intrigued by the idea of creating Burgundian wines that express the same passion for excellence as the Bordeaux wines made by Alpha Omega, in 2015, Robin and Michelle introduced our Napa winemaker to their home of so many years, Edna Valley – and Tolosa. The next chapter of Tolosa began….
Our mission is to be an iconic producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, rooted in California’s exceptional terroir, with a dedication to human connection and community commitment.
From its origins as a boutique vineyard to its evolution into a benchmark for Edna Valley winemaking, Tolosa remains dedicated to precision, craft, and the relentless pursuit of excellence—a journey that started with a simple dream and continues to shape the future of cool-climate California wines.