Meet the Winemaker
There’s a revolution stirring in California winemaking. A move to overthrow the technical and tactical approach in favor of a more artisanal expression that allows the true nature of place to shine through. Vintner Robin Baggett has entrusted winemaker Frederic Delivert with the expression of Edna Valley and beyond through the wines of Tolosa.
Maybe it was destiny. Tolosa is named after the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, the mission dedicated to Saint Louis, Bishop of Toulouse. Frederic hails from Toulouse, France, where he received his master’s degree in agricultural sciences in 1995 from the Ecole Supérieure d’agriculture de Purpan (ESAP) in Toulouse. He discovered California while getting his degree, during an internship in Alexander Valley in Sonoma County. He came back for another harvest at Newton Vineyard in Napa Valley in 1997 and stayed in California. His career path has allowed him to make wines for distinguished wineries in many of the subappellations of Napa Valley, including Rutherford, Oakville, Yountville, Howell Mountain, and Mt. Veeder, as well as in the Sonoma Coast and Red Hills Lake County AVAs. His fascination with differing soil compositions and the impact of climate has led him on a pursuit to understand how these factors influence the resulting wines.
Frederic began collaborating with Robin Baggett on wine projects in 2009. He was introduced to Tolosa and San Luis Obispo just in time for the 2017 harvest. He immediately perceived that the combination of Pacific influences and unique soil compositions of Edna Valley provide an incredible palette for very special wines. Fred was also eager to work with fruit from an assortment of celebrated vineyards outside Edna Valley. The liberty to pull from diverse vineyards sprinkled throughout California builds a multifaceted portfolio for the brand. The portfolio stands tall and strong on pillars built from the best of California terroir. Fred is continually exploring Tolosa’s estate vineyard, Edna Ranch, and some of the most sought-after AVA’s, discovering more facets and exceptional character. He is passionate about crafting balanced, complex, and nuanced Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays which express the vividness of the places from whence they come.