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Maddison Stevens
 
March 10, 2025 | Vineyard Notes, Wine Education | Maddison Stevens

Discover the Elegance of the 2023 Single Vineyard Wines

Every vintage has its own personality, shaped by the land, the weather, and the winemakers who bring it to life. The 2023 vintage is already being called one of the best in years, thanks to a long, slow ripening season that let the grapes develop incredible flavor and balance. With winter rains refreshing the soils and mild temperatures stretching into fall, this year’s wines are vibrant, complex, and seriously worth exploring.

A Vintage Worth Celebrating

According to the Wine Institute, "California vintners are celebrating the 2023 vintage as exceptional, following a late start to harvest. Plentiful winter rains revitalized the soils and encouraged healthy canopies, while cooler temperatures across California in spring and summer allowed grapes to develop gradually, enjoying extra ripening time. Many vintners predict that the 2023 vintage will be one of the finest in years, producing wines with beautiful flavors, vibrant acidity, and remarkable balance."

We are thrilled to share the highlights of our 2023 Single Vineyard wines. Each bottle reflects the unique terroir of its origin and showcases the craftsmanship behind Tolosa's winemaking philosophy. Whether you're searching for the perfect Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, these wines are a great way to immerse yourself in the best of California winemaking.


The 2023 Single Vineyard Collection

 

Primera | Edna Ranch - Edna Valley

As our flagship wine, Primera represents the pinnacle of our winemaking, blending only the finest barrels from Edna Ranch. The 2023 vintage is a masterful expression of complexity and structure, benefiting from techniques like barrel fermentation, stem inclusion, and aging in egg-shaped barrels for enhanced depth and character.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Aromas of dried orange, Bergamot, cherry turnover, fig, plum liqueur, and a subtle charred note

Palate: Rich and creamy with flavors of blackberry preserve, balanced by “signature Hollister DNA” of citrus, blood orange, and fresh hay

 

Poletti-Edna Ranch Chardonnay | San Luis Obispo Coast

Hailing from an ancient seabed, the Poletti Chardonnay delivers a refined, mineral-driven profile shaped by cooling ocean breezes and fog. This wine balances sophistication with energetic freshness, making it a standout in our portfolio. If you're looking for an elegant California Chardonnay, this is one to try.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Aromas of pineapple, vanilla, brioche, lemon, and yellow apple

Palate: Bright acidity with zesty lemon, white flowers, and a subtle sea salt finish

 

Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay | Santa Maria Valley

Recognized as one of California’s top vineyards, Bien Nacido consistently produces wines of remarkable quality. The 2023 vintage offers a modern interpretation of Chardonnay, emphasizing the vineyard’s limestone-rich soils and cool-climate structure. Experience the purity and depth of this exceptional Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Aromas of quince, warm vanilla, nutmeg, apple, and subtle hints of yellow guava

Palate: A creamy mouthfeel with custard and spice notes that enhance the wine’s richness

 

Apex Vineyard Pinot Noir | Santa Lucia Highlands

Nestled at the highest elevations of the Santa Lucia Highlands, Apex Vineyard produces Pinot Noir of extraordinary intensity and elegance. With its elevated site and well-draining soils, the 2023 vintage expresses a layered complexity and vibrancy. For those seeking top-tier California Pinot Noir, this wine offers a beautifully structured profile.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Aromas of strawberry purée, spice, pomegranate, and tar

Palate: Fresh and juicy with flavors of raspberry preserves, red currant, and a hint of tea, highlighting the red fruit profile

 

El Coro Vineyard Pinot Noir | Petaluma Gap

A tribute to the coastal influences of the Petaluma Gap, this wine is shaped by brisk winds and volcanic subsoils, lending a distinct tension and bright acidity to the Pinot Noir fruit. The Keller family, instrumental in the region’s AVA designation, has cultivated an exceptional terroir for this variety. If you love cool-climate Pinot Noir from California, this is a must-try.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Aromas of black cherry, new leather, licorice, jerky and a hint of gunpowder

Palate: Juicy cherry flavors lead into cola and earthy notes on the finish, with a warm and rounded

mid-palate

 

Solomon Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir | Santa Maria Valley

The final chapter for our Solomon Hills Pinot Noir, as 2023 marks the last vintage from this historic site. With its sandy soils and proximity to the Pacific, this wine offers a beautifully aromatic and finessed expression—an unforgettable way to conclude our time with this vineyard. This rare release is a treasure for collectors and Santa Maria Valley wine enthusiasts.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Aromas of grapefruit, blood orange, fig, and fresh plum

Palate: Citrus notes carry through with thyme, complemented by a ripe and juicy texture. Flavors of cherry, plum, and currant linger on the long finish

 

Drum Canyon Vineyard Pinot Noir | Sta. Rita Hills

Known for its dramatic slopes and diurnal shifts, Drum Canyon’s Pinot Noir thrives in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The 2023 vintage embodies the vineyard’s signature concentration and purity, with cool nights preserving its natural acidity. A perfect expression of Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir with structure and finesse.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Blue fruit aromas of boysenberry, complemented by toasted graham cracker and leather notes

Palate: Full-mouth coating, chalky tannins with a hint of tobacco on the finish

 

Mindego Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir | Santa Cruz Mountains

A boutique site in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Mindego Ridge is dry-farmed, producing Pinot Noir with an ethereal, lifted quality. The 2023 vintage reflects the vineyard’s proximity to the ocean, capturing an interplay of fruit purity and minerality. Experience the elegance of Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir in this stunning wine.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Aromas of blueberry, bay leaf, mineral tones like crushed stone, and a touch of ink, cherry, and currant

Palate: Red cherry and cherry pit flavors are complemented by botanical elements, tobacco and chalky tannins, leading to a lingering finish

 

Gunsalus Vineyard Pinot Noir | Green Valley of Russian River Valley

Famed for its fog-laden mornings and Goldridge soils, the Gunsalus Vineyard Pinot Noir is a stunning expression of its microclimate. With meticulous vineyard care, the 2023 vintage radiates with elegance and depth, making it a standout from the Russian River Valley. If you're seeking Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, this wine is an exquisite representation.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Aromas of dark cherry, potpourri, black licorice, and potting soil

Palate: Dark cherry flavors dominate, with a finish of grenadine and earthy notes


Experience the 2023 Vintage

For those who missed Primera Premiere, this is your chance to explore the 2023 Single Vineyard collection. Each wine offers a glimpse into the diverse landscapes and microclimates that define California’s best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Whether you're planning a wine tasting in San Luis Obispo or looking for a new favorite bottle, these wines are waiting to be discovered.

Explore the collection today and bring home a piece of this extraordinary vintage. Visit our Tasting Room to experience these wines firsthand.

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