Tolosa Solomon Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley 2021 – Cool elegance from the California coast

Tolosa Solomon Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 is a refined and terroir-driven Pinot Noir for those who love cool-climate wines with finesse, depth and natural freshness. This wine comes from the coveted Santa Maria Valley in California – an area that today is considered among the absolute best for Pinot Noir when elegance and precision are in focus.

Solomon Hills Vineyard is known for its cool, coastal climate, where the constant ocean breeze from the Pacific Ocean ensures slow ripening and preserves the aromatic intensity of the grapes. The 2021 vintage featured a long and cool growing year with lower yields, resulting in grapes with impressive concentration, vibrant acidity and a clear expression of origin. Harvesting took place on September 9th – the perfect time when fruit, freshness and structure were in optimal balance.

In the cellar, Tolosa works with great precision and respect for the raw material. The grapes are gently destemmed and undergo a three-day cool maceration to enhance color and aroma. Fermentation takes place in open steel tanks at varying temperatures to create depth and balance. The wine is then aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, 35% new, which adds structure and elegance without overpowering the pure Pinot Noir fruit.

The result is a harmonious, silky and highly inviting Pinot Noir that works just as well by itself in the glass as with food. A great choice for wine lovers looking for Californian Pinot Noir with a European cut and distinct coastal character.

Tasting notes

Appearance: Light to medium intense ruby red color with a clear and elegant edge.

Aroma: Seductive aromas of dark cherry and pomegranate, beautifully accompanied by floral notes of cherry blossom. Complexity is built by nuances of white mushroom, forest floor and deep, cool topsoil.

Taste: Silky and harmonious with medium body. The palate offers strawberry, blueberry and cherry, complemented by fine hints of tangerine, cinnamon and cola. The finish is long, subtle and extremely elegant.

The history of the house

Solomon Hills Vineyard has both a historical and mythical background. The name derives from Salomon Pico – a notorious 19th century bandit who was said to be one of the inspirations for the Zorro legend. Today, the area is known for something else entirely: exceptional Pinot Noir.

Located just ten kilometers from the Pacific Ocean, south of Santa Maria, the vineyard was planted in the late 1990s by the Miller family. The sandy, well-drained soils combined with cool mornings, fog and ocean winds create ideal conditions for Pinot Noir. Tolosa has managed to take full advantage of this terroir, producing wines with precision, minerality and remarkable elegance – and Solomon Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir is one of the house’s clear flagships.

Product information

• Type: Red wine
• Region: Santa Maria Valley, California
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Vintage: 2021
• Aging: 11 months in French oak barrels (35% new)
• Contains: Sulfites
• Quantity: 75 cl
• Alcohol content: 13.5%