Tolosa Winery

Reminder, Cheese & Wine starts Saturday!

Just a reminder that Saturday June 7th is our official start to the summer's Wine and Cheese Experience! Guests will enjoy four reserve wines, paired with four Artisan cheeses in our private Heritage Room.  Arrive anytime between 11-3pm or call ahead and make reservations. 
Below is the menu for June 7th, but the menu does change weekly. Hope to see you there!

2007 Tolosa Sauvignon Blanc
Abbaye De Belloc (ah-BAY duh Bell-OCK)
Pasteurized sheep’s milk from the Pyrenees in southwest France. A smooth, semi-hard paste with a mottled rind.  The sweet fruity tones, complement the quality of our Sauvignon Blanc.

2005 Tolosa Chardonnay
Humboldt Fog
Goat’s milk from “earthy” northern California, where the men are weak and the cheese is strong! A wonderful creamy, chalky paste with a vegetable “ash” center.  Sourced from small family farms.The creamy smoothness makes it a fitting partner for our dry Chardonnay.

2005 Tolosa Pinot Noir
Manchego
Sheep’s milk, from the high plains region of La Mancha, Spain.
Aged for six months developing a salty flavor.
The zig zag striations are imprints of esparto grass, woven together for the draining mold. Most appropriate for fruity red wines, such as our Pinot Noir.

2005 Tolosa Syrah
Red Hawk
Cow’s milk from Point Reyes Station, California. A well balanced and complex cheese.
Aromas of chalk and hay.  A salty tang and creamy finish.Best suited with a rustic, spicy Syrah.

Tolosa at Native Lounge May 28th!

Join Tolosa winery at Native Lounge in San Luis Obispo on Wednesday May 28th from 4-7pm!

Enjoy four Tolosa estate wines paired with four artisan cheeses hand picked to pair with our wines by chef Charles Aghajanian. 

Native Lounge, voted Best New Restaurant in SLO, is a great place to unwind after work so bring in your friends for a great evening of wine and cheese.

$14 per person

Come Fly With Me

“Lets fly lets fly away.  If you can use some exotic booze, there’s a bar in far Bombay!”

One of my favorites, penned by Sammy Cahn and sung by Ole Blue Eyes himself, had me thinking in the shower this morning.  Why would anyone think of flying away today as adventurous or romantic?  Particularly after arriving at the airport three hours prior to your flight, hungry, only to have time for concession food prior to your “pat down” and walk thru; shoes in hand, beltless trousers slipping off, only hoping your lap top makes it through the scanner.  Ugh- - - just the thought of it!

But wait, I have an idea for a flight, which takes place every Saturday at 11 am, beginning June 6th in our Heritage Room.  No lines or security pat downs.  Just arrive, pay ten dollars (complimentary for wine club members) and relax to quiet soothing jazz ballads while enjoying a wine tasting flight! 

Wine flights include selections from our winery library as well as new limited release varietals.  A theme one week could be Chardonnay, old to new or perhaps Pinot.  What about the Rhone itself with both northern and southern expressions.  Our Syrah is crafted in the style of northern Rhone, which for the most part utilizes only the Syrah grape. With that spicy pepper like characteristic, it is unmistakably “cool climate”.  We even have a Southern Rhone style blend, which includes both Syrah and Grenache.

At the same time, and in the same “terminal” (VIP lounge), we will be offering our wine and cheese pairings for the week.  We usually work with Monterrey Street Wine & Cheese and change the menu weekly to reflect our mutual curiosity, resulting in the best pairing possible.  We offer four cheeses paired with four wines for $20($15 members) served in a Riedel glass.

At your trips final destination, we will be able to mark your ticket (menu) with purchase choice to take to our register to be packaged (not lost like an airport bag) and rung up.  Now how civilized is that!

Captain John, Concierge

Successful Roll Out the Barrels

We concluded this years four day event, Roll Out the Barrels, on Sunday May 4th, and I've finally caught up again! It was a great event that is put on by our San Luis Obispo Vintners in early May, beginning with Barrels in the Plaza on Thursday evening. I would have to say our Friday night winemaker dinner with Claiborne and Churchill Winery was definitely a highlight. We had an amazing six course meal prepared by Jose Dahan, which was incredible and complete with eight different wines. My favorite pairing would have to be the rack of lamb with the Tolosa 2004 Heritage Blend!

For Saturday and Sunday’s passport event, we decided on the Italian theme. I think we had decided on our caterer first and then centered the theme on them! Our catering company was Bello Forno, who did a great job preparing over 150 pizzas in their mobile wood fire oven! What could be better than homemade gourmet pizzas, wine and an accordion player in the background??
Well thank you to all those who were able to join us for any of the ROB events and we hope you enjoyed the wine, staff and food. Please let us know any comments or feedback you have!
Ciao- Katie Noonan

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and if you don't have plans we've got them for you here at Tolosa. For the weekend of May 10th & 11th, 2008 Tolosa will be offering cheese plates that pair with both our red and white wines. Guests can enjoy these artian cheeses on our patio while relaxing with thier mom or playing bocce ball or croquet. Cheese plates will be $10 for club members and $15 for non-members. We will have tables reserved, but if you have a larger group give us a call.

Cheers!

Economic Stimulus Package Time Near

If you, like me are wondering what to do with that check in the mail, consider the following options:

-Pay off that credit card bill now so that for the next three months at least, you’ll be below your maximum amount allowed.  Now, what will that accomplish?

-Think green and for $300-$600 you can convert your old car so that it will run off a corn ethanol mix (unless you’re fortunate enough to own a McDonalds franchise allowing you to use the used French fry oil).  You may even get on Al Gores mailing list!  On second thought, the corn commodity price has increased 85% over the past 52 weeks.

-Buy basics and consider the world’s perilous commodity market.  I’m thinking water, gasoline, batteries or even jockey classic briefs-size 36 please!  On second thought, who would be that paranoid!

-Be a good citizen and shop American.  You may still think globally, but what could be better than to shop locally.  That’s it!!!!

This weekend, drop that list of chores you’ve made up and visit Tolosa winery.  Just relax and have a taste indoors or out, bring a picnic lunch, enjoy the sun and sip the “nectar of the Gods”. 

Consider these incentives to spur our economy.;
-Buy a case of wine and get 10% off. 
-Join our wine club and save 35% on the days purchase. 
-Existing members are welcome to come on by and enjoy a 20% savings.
- You can also use our online cart if your not in the area. 

What could be better than to “plow that federal check” right into the economy of San Luis Obispo County!

You too have the opportunity to be an economic stimulator.

-John Shakley

Tolosa No Oak on Wine Library TV

Tolosa's 2006 No Oak Chardonnay recently was reviewed on Gary Vanerchuk's top rated and very entertaining show online. You can find the show  "Random Bag of Wines From Around the World" by clicking here.  It's a great wine show, although you have to be ready for Gary's upbeat personality and random outbursts, but it is definitely entertaining.

His website is http://tv.winelibrary.com/

Also thank you to local wine club member Paul for pointing this show out to us. Cheers!

Roll Out the Barrels 2008!

Save the Date! May 1st-4th, 2008 for the annual San Luis Obispo Vintners Roll Out The Barrels Event.

Thursday, May 1st, 2008
Barrels in the Plaza, visit www.slowine.com for more information & tickets.

Friday May 2nd, 2008 6:30pm
This year Tolosa will be hosting a winemaker dinner in conjunction with Claiborne and Churchill Winery at the new Marriott catered by top local chef Jose Dahan. The six-course dinner will be paired with eight of the best wines produced by these two wineries. Dinner guests can also receive a discounted room rate at the Marriott in San Luis Obispo. Tickets are $115 pp. To purchase click here or call (805)782-0300 x20.

Saturday & Sunday Open House 11:00-4:00pm
Bon Giorno paisano!
Please join the Tolosa famiglia for an magnifico afternoon of sun, food, accordion music and lawn games. Should Mother Nature cooperate, the skies should be blue, the sun full, wind light and of course the crimson vines in full bud.
Just as in Tuscany’s Merlot region, Bolgheri, we will gather together and pour the last of our spectacular 2004 vintage, paired with wood fired pizza on Saturday by Bello Forno and delicious olives, bread and cheese on Sunday. When you tire of that, you can always dance with your partner, play soccer and bocce ball with friends or simply stretch out on your picnic blanket to nap in the sun. To purchase passport tickets visit www.slowine.com, $40 pp.

Cheers!

World of Pinot Noir & our Single Block Wines

I showed two of our three single vineyard block '06 Pinots over the past weekend during WOPN (World of Pinot Noir).  These are new wines for us and not yet released. Our intent with them is to show the widest range of structure possible from our vineyards at the highest quality level. We consider all three of these bottlings to be of the best quality, but they are wildly different in personality, you might say. I showed the most delicate one, the "Lily Gil" from block 593 first to a small roomful of amateurs and professionals during a Riedel seminar that featured one Burgundy Pinot, one Oregon Pinot and two Central Coast Pinots. All of the wines were really delicious, but the Tolosa "Lily Gil" got the most comments from Georg Riedel because it is so very different from the typical California Pinot. He was in a sense shocked - pleasantly so. He said that he didn't know it was possible to make such a delicate and complex wine in California. He was effusive in his praise.

I next showed the wine from block 597 which we call "Beyond" to John Haeger author of the justly famous book, California Pinot Noir published by UC Press. This you might guess from its name is just the opposite of the "Lily Gil". It is big and dark and well structured. We tasted it alongside the 2006 Tolosa Estate Pinot Noir for comparative purposes. Despite its fairly massive flavor weight this wine drank beautifully and I was surprised by how open and delicious it was. John liked it as well and tasting the two wines lead us into a long discussion of use of whole clusters in wine making and many other esoteric topics. Unique and individual wines such as these are a stimulant to the mind as well as the appetite.

-Larry Brooks, Winemaker

Native, a new place in downtown SLO

Well lately it's been hard to find or decide on a place to eat in San Luis Obispo that is fresh and new! When I talk to co-workers and friends we all feel that there's nothing new in town and to try something fresh and innovative we have to leave town, but for most of us in San Luis Obispo, we don't like to go to far beyond our 5 minute drive to downtown.  Well FYI there's a refreshing new place in SLO, and it's called Native Lounge.  It's the old Mission Grill and it's been remodeled into a new place to relax with friends over interesting drink specials, wine (they have the Tolosa Pinot Noir by the glass) and most importantly indulge in great cuisine!  The food, served in small plates or tapas style,  is masterminded by chef Charles Aghajanian.  The menu is presented as Earth, Wind, Fire and Water showcasing the different food categories mother nature has given us to enjoy. A few of my favorites are the Ahi Tatare tacos, Wild Mushroom Trio and Mole Duck Empanadas. The atmosphere and decor is also something to note and although your not leaving SLO, you might feel like your in LA or Vegas!  I would definitely try it out if your one of those foodies looking for a new spot to explore in SLO  and also if your looking for nightlife they've got great a dance floor and offer bottle service, which can't be found anywhere else in San Luis!

Native Lounge
Open Tuesday - Saturday 5pm-2am
Sunday Brunch 11am-3pm
1023 Chorro St. SLO
www.nativelounge.com

Please leave any comments or suggestions on any new spots to check out!
Cheers, Katie Noonan