Sustainable Landscape: A Symphony of Purple Through the Seasons
Tolosa Winery’s Sustainable Landscape: A Symphony of Purple Through the Seasons
Nestled in the heart of California’s Edna Valley just outside San Luis Obispo, Tolosa Winery is a place where the landscape is as vibrant and rich as our wines. Sustainability is in our DNA and embracing the beauty of nature, and that’s why our vineyard isn’t just a place for growing grapes, it’s a purple wildflower paradise that changes with each season. From lavender to sage, irises to catmint, and of course, our beloved purple Pinot Noir grapes, our natural California-native landscape thrives in harmony with the environment all year round. Come with us as we take tour through the seasons at Tolosa and see how nature puts on a show! No tour is complete without Tolosa wines that fit with the seasons, so we've included a few notes on wines to pair with each special time of year.
Spring: A Lavender, Iris and Catmint Explosion!
Spring is like the grand entrance to the season’s show! The landscape wakes up in a burst of color, with lavender leading the charge. Its soft purple spikes fill the air with a fragrance that attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, all busy making sure our vines are happy and healthy. The catmint follows, cascading purple flowers like a beautiful soft carpet across the landscape, before the irises join the fun, adding their exotic charm and vibrant purple hues to the scenery. It’s a springtime celebration you can’t miss!
Tolosa's San Luis Obispo Coast Chardonnay carries with it fresh, crisp fruit notes and vibrant acidity mingled with toasty notes of complex French oak that lend to the perfect transitory wine carrying us out of the winter months and into the spring season.
Summer: Sage, Rosemary, and Catmint—Herbal Powerhouses!
By the time summer rolls around, Tolosa’s landscape is basking in the warmth of the California sun, and our purple sage and rosemary are more than up to the task. These hearty plants not only add a touch of Mediterranean flair but thrive under the area's relative heat of summer. The catmint continues its long-lasting blooms, staying as vibrant and stunning as the summer days are long. Our vineyards are truly a garden full of life and color, all while conserving water and promoting sustainability.
Nothing welcomes in the Summer like a glass of cold, vibrant Rose of Pinot Noir. Crafted from grapes grown alongside our winery, Tolosa's Rose offerings have become known for their acute focus and delicious cranberry, bing cherry, and orange zest notes. Beat the heat with a glass!
Autumn: Grapes, Grapes, Grapes—It’s Harvest Time!
As the days get cooler and the sun begins to dip lower, Tolosa’s vineyards reach their peak—dark purple Pinot Noir berries abound during this most exciting time of year. This is when the landscape is rich in deep purples, reflecting the changing season. The harvest is in full swing, and the vines are heavy with fruit, all ripened to perfection. The transformation of the vineyard into a stunning tapestry of purple is a sight to behold, and it’s all thanks to our dedication to sustainable farming practices that nurture both the land and the vines.
Autumn is Pinot Noir time! Tolosa's Primera Pinot Noir is crafted with pain-staking techniques designed to let the Edna Valley's finest vineyard blocks to shine. The cool foggy mornings and breezy afternoons are the perfect setting to relax with a glass of our flagship Pinot Noir packed with jammy notes of blueberry/blackberry compote, cola, and exotic tobacco notes.
Winter: Evergreen Magic with a Touch of Purple
Even in the chill of winter, Tolosa’s landscape maintains its charm. Rosemary continues to stand strong, offering greenery and structure even in the colder months. Cleveland sage adds a touch of lavender-hued magic, and the grapevines—though dormant—still bring a deep purple richness to the scene. It’s a quieter time, but the beauty of the land remains undeniable, a gentle reminder of the seasons’ rhythms and the cycle of renewal.
Tolosa's cool-climate San Luis Obispo Coast Syrah is undoubtedly the wine of the Winter season. Pairing exceptionally with roasted holiday meats and cool evenings by the firepit, this wine explodes from the glass with classic cool-climate Syrah note of blackberry cobbler, toasty pie crust, hints of white pepper and intriguing whispers of rosemary and sage.
Sustainable Practices, Year-Round Beauty
At Tolosa Winery, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our landscape is filled with native and drought-tolerant plants like sage and lavender, which require less water and provide habitat for beneficial wildlife. By using smart techniques like drip irrigation, mulching, and regenerative farming, we ensure that the land thrives with minimal impact. The beauty of our purple-themed garden is a testament to the care we put into nurturing the land, creating a vibrant, sustainable environment that not only supports our grapes but our entire ecosystem.
From season to season, Tolosa Winery’s purple paradise blooms, bringing beauty, balance, and harmony to the land. Here's to a sustainable future, one season at a time! 🍇💜