Tolosa Solomon Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley 2021

Looking for an elegant, cool-climate Pinot Noir with nerve, finesse and depth?
Tolosa Solomon Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 is a shining example of why California’s Santa Maria Valley is recognized as one of the most coveted terroirs for Pinot Noir today. This wine is made for enthusiasts who want to discover the perfect balance of freshness, complexity and pure drinking pleasure.

A wine with character – shaped by sea breezes and a cool climate

The 2021 vintage was characterized by an unusually long and cool growing year, with Pacific sea breezes keeping temperatures low and ripening slow. The variable spring conditions resulted in lower yields, but grapes with an intense aroma profile, marked freshness and natural concentration. It all culminated in a harvest on September 9th – perfectly ripe fruit with vibrant acidity.

Perfection in the cellar

Tolosa works without compromise in wine production. The grapes are gently destemmed and the must undergoes a three-day cool maceration to bring out color and aroma. Fermentation takes place in open steel tanks at both low and high temperatures to extract a balance of fruit and structure.
The wine is aged for 11 months in 100% French oak, 35% new barrels, which adds subtle elegance without overpowering the pure fruit.

Tasting notes

Appearance: Light to medium intense ruby red color with a clear rim.

Aroma: Seductive aromas of dark cherry and pomegranate, beautifully bound together by floral notes of cherry blossom. Layer upon layer of white mushroom, forest floor and deep topsoil create a complex and authentic expression of coastal terroir.

Taste: A silky and harmonious Pinot Noir with medium body. The palate opens with strawberry, blueberry and cherry, followed by hints of tangerine, cinnamon and cola. The finish is long, subtle and incredibly inviting – a wine that both tantalizes the palate and invites the next sip.

The story behind the house – from bandit legends to iconic Californian terroir

Solomon Hills Vineyard has a colorful past. The name comes from Salomon Pico, the infamous bandit who is believed to have inspired the tales of Zorro in the 1800s. Today, the vineyard is located just ten kilometers from the cool shores of the Pacific Ocean, south of Santa Maria.
Planted in the late 1990s by the Miller family, the vineyard is a mosaic landscape of Pinot Noir clones, perfectly positioned in sandy, well-drained soils that combine with misty mornings to create ideal conditions for this noble grape. The result is Pinot Noir with precision, minerality and remarkable elegance.