Laetitia VINEYARD & WINERY
March 2014
LAETITIA VINEYARD & WINERY
Situated in the Arroyo Grande Valley of Southern San Luis Obispo County, California, Laetitia Vineyard & Winery is dedicated to producing world-class Burgundian wines with a special focus on Pinot Noir. The winery is also noted for its limited production of French-inspired MÊthode Champenoise sparkling wines. From a hillside setting just four miles from the Pacific Ocean, Laetitia’s vineyards enjoy cool sea breezes, coastal fog and a long growing season. When combined with the well-drained soils of the Laetitia Estate, these favorable conditions result in exceptional fruit and wines with balance, complexity and elegance. Laetitia Vineyard & Winery 453 Laetitia Vineyard Dr. Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 Tasting Room open daily from 11 am to 5 pm
805.481.1772
info@laetitiawine.com www.laetitiawine.com www.nadiawine.com Cover: Pruned vertical shoot positioned vine.
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Cellar Update with
ERIC HICKEY
Riddling the Racks with
DAVE HICKEY
On the Streets with
NADIA ZILKHA Featured Employee Club Contents Awards & Accolades
Happenings Pruning at Home
Cooking with Laetitia
Pictured: Hanging pruning gloves.
Pictured: Laetitia vineyard in the springtime.
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Cellar Update with Eric Hickey
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Eric Hickey, Still Winemaker As I sit on the 20th floor of a work associates Chicago condo, looking out at the frozen city, I did a little math. I just left a month of 80 degree January weather at the vineyard and here in Chicago it was -18 degrees. That’s a 98 degree swing! My body is in shock.
“..best summer we have had in years, only problem is it’s winter.” To say the weather in California has been strange is an understatement. No rain and high pressure have created the best summer we have had in years, only problem is it’s winter. What does it mean for the vines? Time will tell. Likely we will have (had) an early bud break. This is not necessarily bad, but it could put the vines in less than favorable April weather for bloom (when the berries are formed) rather than the preferred May. One misconception about lack of water though - it does not necessarily mean a small crop. The vines have already determined how much fruit they will produce, which is not affected by our current weather patterns. So, as Mother Nature dictates, we play the waiting game to see how 2014 develops. Stay tuned.....
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Riddling the Racks with Dave Hickey ........................................................
Dave Hickey, Sparkling Winemaker One of the questions that I get asked often is “How long should I age my sparkling wines?” The answer to the question is not simple. First of all, we all have different palates that enjoy different flavors and aromas. If a person enjoys a fresh, fruity style of wine, they probably shouldn’t age their wines very long. If a person likes the softened, dried fruit flavors of a wine that has matured, cellaring a wine can be a good idea. Then comes the wine itself. Generally speaking, sparkling wines that are lighter and more elegant will age better than wines that are more intense in flavor and structure. For Laetitia sparklers, that usually means that our vintage wines will age better than our non-vintage wines. The Brut Cuvée and the XD are both non-vintage wines that have older wines from previous vintages blended into them so that they are ready to drink sooner after bottling than the vintage wines. The base wines that are blended into our vintage wines all come from the most recent harvest. When doing those blends, I am selecting wines that are generally lighter and more brisk and will take more time to mature before they are ready to be enjoyed. That is why we cellar the vintage wines at the winery longer before they are released.
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So what is the answer to the question? Of course, every vintage is different and some wines will age better than others. But, if you like mature sparkling wines, I think that Laetitia sparklers are very interesting in the 7 to 10 year-old range.
Pictured: Laetitia Brut Rosé.
“..lighter and more elegant will age better than wines that are more intense...”
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On the Streets with Nadia Zilkha
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“..under the disapproving eye of our hawk, there to prevent predators like me.” Nadia Zilkha, Owner Every six weeks or so, I visit Laetitia from my home in New York City. Our management meetings give us an opportunity to analyze our business. I enjoy our discussions and feel particularly thrilled when our decisions improve your experience of our wines. All of this is wonderful but I must confess, the time I cherish most when I’m at Laetitia is waking up around 6:30AM and walking in our beautiful vineyard. I always take the same trajectory, out of the estate house, through the little opening in the fence which Lino cut out for me so many years ago, past the Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc blocks on the left and right up towards the compost heap, which smells particularly good in the summer when the grapes have just been picked. Along the way I’ve met our newborn weed eating goats. I rise above the fog and then, I’m there. I’m above the world. I can see the ocean. I watch the progress of the vines at Les Galets, our rockiest parcel. I get excited at bud-break, at veraison and finally when I taste those juicy grapes under the disapproving eye of our hawk, there to prevent predators like me. I feel renewed and connected to our vineyard each time I visit, I have so many photos on my computer and when it’s cold as it is now in New York, I look at them and smile. Yes, I’ll be coming out soon and you know the first thing I intend to do… Pictured: Our resident herd of goats and sheep, doing their part.
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“..interact with different palates has been paramount in her learning process.�
9 Pictured: Screw cap bottling.
Featured Employee:
Jackie Leopold . . . . . . . .
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Jackie’s earliest memory of wine is from her childhood years, when it was known as ‘Daddy’s Juice’ and when she would beg for a taste poured into her milk at the dinner table. Naturally, is was that same Daddy who made his little wine lover aware of the Wine & Viticulture Program at the local university in San Luis Obispo. This is where our story with Jackie begins. She was in her last year finishing her BS at Cal Poly, SLO in Wine & Viticulure, with a concentration in Wine Business when she began work in our tasting room. Learning the likes and dislikes of our guests has been an invaluable experience, Leopold says, and starting her career learning how to speak about wine and interact with different palates has been paramount in her learning process. After 10 months or so in the tasting room, Jackie had graduated from school and simultaneously graduated to her next position at the winery, which entailed assisting with the winery’s events and winemaker dinners. A few short months later, she became our Sales & Marketing Administrator where she has remained for the last three years. Her position now encapsulates the managing of all broad market sales, promotions, social media, graphic design and more. In her spare time, Jackie enjoys spending time with her husband, her family, friends and her Boston Terrier, Manu. She enjoys going to LA Lakers games, crafting, exercising and of course, drinking wine. She tells us her favorite wine at the moment is the Cuvée M paired with linguine and clams. We are lucky to have Jackie as a part of the team, her creativity and out of the box ideas always amaze us and ensure that we stay ahead of the 10 curve. We look forward to many more years with Jackie!
Sparkling Club
Non-Vintage Laetitia Brut Cuvée Gala apple, streams of bubbles and soft melon notes meet to create this festive sparkling wine comprised of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, respectively. Lemon chiffon and sultry pear framed by freshly baked challah bread come forward on second approach of our house sparkling wine, great for pairing with pork with an apple-celery root slaw or our winemaker’s favorite: potato chips. Retail $25.00 Club $17.50 2011 Laetitia Brut de Blancs Grapefruit pith and raw almond stand out on the nose of this beautifully goldenstraw colored sparkling wine. Lingering bubble and a second approach on the palate lend pleasing notes of effervescent sea spray, key lime, creamy mousse and vibrant chalk-like minerality. This thoughtful blend of nearly 50/50 Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc pairs well with oysters topped with a kiwi mignonette or seared scallops with a grapefruit beurre blanc. Retail $30.00 Club $21.00 2008 Laetitia Brut Coquard The 2008 vintage of Brut Coquard opens with notes of raspberry wafer folded into toasted merinque with a hint of cocoa powder. Rich and decadent, the Coquard finishes with bright strands of citrus zest and bracing minerality. Retail $35.00 Club $24.50 2009 Laetitia Cuvée M Steady streams of fine bubbles throughout this golden-straw colored wine entice the eye while generous flavors of ripe orchard fruit greet the nose with a kiss of candied lime zest. Upon second approach, creamy notes of mascarpone and sweet melon show themselves in this 50/50 blend of rich, structured Pinot Noir and bright, vivacious Chardonnay. Retail $35.00 Club $24.50 11
Pinot Noir Club 2012 Laetitia Clone 2A Pinot Noir Initial aromas include spiced ginger, sweet tobacco and delicate rose petal peacefully coexisting among freshly baked rhubarb pie and black peppercorn notes. This medium-bodied single clone Pinot Noir delivers clean flavors on the palate, with parting characters of chocolate covered cherry and deep black currant. Retail $32.00 Club $22.40 2012 Laetitia Whole Cluster Pinot Noir This wine is marked by a refreshing grip in mouth feel and a singular focus on the palate. Crisp notes of cassis, whole-leaf tobacco and black peppercorn overwhelm the senses. While a touch of sweet oak and sultry black tea round out the profile beautifully. Look to pair with roasted duck or lean meats with caramelized carrots. Retail $40.00 Club $28.00 2012 Laetitia Reserve du Domaine Pinot Noir A rich plum hue and intense candied cherry, leather, white pepper and true Cubancigar box aromas mark the 2012 vintage of our Reserve Pinot Noir. The thick bouquet continues on to the palate with complex layers of black fruits, rich mocha and baking spice lingering to the finish. Retail $40.00 Club $28.00 2012 Laetitia Black Label Pinot Noir Every year when we harvest our 400+ acres of Pinot Noir, there are small lots of fruit that stand out amongst their fellow crop. These selections are taken aside and fermented alone to capture the essence of naturally superior fruit. The lots turn out one to two barrels of amazingly well balanced, structured, deep Pinot Noir. Retail $60.00 Club $42.00 12
Mixed CLUB 2012 Laetitia Reserve du Domaine Chardonnay Rich and golden in color, this full-bodied Chardonnay delivers tropical aromas and a citrus character on the nose. Slight tart apple and ripe pear flavors emerge on the palate and are accentuated by barrel aging influences of vanilla and toastiness. Retail $30.00 Club $21.00 2012 NADIA White Aromas of inviting Gardenia buds weave through a bouquet of ripe stone fruits and juicy mandarin. Vibrant minerality tempers notes of sweet honeycomb and crème brûlée, imparted by 9 months time in neutral oak barrels. Our NADIA White is a true red wine drinker’s white counterpart and perfectly accents roasted poultry or creamy pasta dishes. Retail $30.00 Club $21.00 2012 Laetitia Clone 2A Pinot Noir Initial aromas include spiced ginger, sweet tobacco and delicate rose petal peacefully coexisting among freshly baked rhubarb pie and black peppercorn notes. This medium-bodied single clone Pinot Noir delivers clean flavors on the palate, with parting characters of chocolate covered cherry and deep black currant. Retail $32.00 Club $22.40 2011 NADIA Trio Freshly baked huckleberry pie aromas greet the palate, with secondary notes of sweet tobacco and a touch of black peppercorn. Sweet oak and semisweet chocolate nuances weave their way throughout this richly layered blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. Retail $35.00 Club $24.50 13
Red Club
2012 Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir A seductive nose reminiscent of ripe plum and blackberry, with layered components of earth, violets and Asian spice. The palate reveals supple tannins and lively acids accented with pretty hints of framboise and underlying notes of dark chocolate and rye. Try with carmelized onion and goat cheese crostinis, smoked pork and a game of bocce. Retail $25.00 Club $17.50 2012 Laetitia Clone 2A Pinot Noir Initial aromas include spiced ginger, sweet tobacco and delicate rose petal peacefully coexisting among freshly baked rhubarb pie and black peppercorn notes. This medium-bodied single clone Pinot Noir delivers clean flavors on the palate, with parting characters of chocolate covered cherry and deep black currant. Retail $32.00 Club $22.40 2012 Laetitia Whole Cluster Pinot Noir This wine is marked by a refreshing grip in mouth feel and a singular focus on the palate. Crisp notes of cassis, whole-leaf tobacco and black peppercorn overwhelm the senses. While a touch of sweet oak and sultry black tea round out the profile beautifully. Look to pair with roasted duck or lean meats with caramelized carrots. Retail $40.00 Club $28.00 2011 NADIA Trio Freshly baked huckleberry pie aromas greet the palate, with secondary notes of sweet tobacco and a touch of black peppercorn. Sweet oak and semisweet chocolate nuances weave their way throughout this richly layered blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. Retail $35.00 Club $24.50 14
White Club 2012 Laetitia Estate Chardonnay (2) Dried honeycomb and tart green apple show themselves in this beautiful interpretation of a cool climate Chardonnay. Multilayered notes of hard lemon candy, wet river rock and hazelnut sweet cream weave throughout this estate bottling, finishing with notes of spicy anise. Try with prosciutto wrapped melon! Retail $18.00 Club $12.60 2012 Laetitia Reserve du Domaine Chardonnay Rich and golden in color, this full-bodied Chardonnay delivers tropical aromas and a citrus character on the nose. Slight tart apple and ripe pear flavors emerge on the palate and are accentuated by barrel aging influences of vanilla and toastiness. Retail $30.00 Club $21.00 2012 NADIA White Aromas of inviting Gardenia buds weave through a bouquet of ripe stone fruits and juicy mandarin. Vibrant minerality tempers notes of sweet honeycomb and crème brûlée, imparted by 9 months time in neutral oak barrels. Our NADIA White is a true red wine drinker’s white counterpart and perfectly accents roasted poultry or creamy pasta dishes. Retail $30.00 Club $21.00
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• 2013 Central Coast Wine Comp - Gold, Best of Sparkling Wine-94 Points • 2013 LA Intl Wine and Spirits Comp - Gold 90 Points • 2013 Houston Rodeo Intl Wine Comp - Gold • Restaurant Wine - Five Stars 2012 Laetitia Estate Chardonnay • 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Comp - Silver • Stephen Tanzer’s Intl Wine Cellar - 90 Points • 2013 Houston Rodeo Intl Wine Comp - Silver
Awards & Accolades
Non-Vintage Laetitia Brut Cuvée
2012 Laetitia Reserve du Domaine Chardonnay • Stephen Tanzer’s Intl Wine Cellar - 90 Points • 2013 Houston Rodeo Intl Wine Comp - Silver 2012 Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir • 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Comp - Silver • Wine Lines Online - 90 Points • 2013 Houston Rodeo Intl Wine Comp - Silver 2012 Laetitia Whole Cluster Pinot Noir • 2013 Houston Rodeo Intl Wine Comp - Silver 2012 Laetitia Reserve du Domaine Pinot Noir • 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Comp - Silver • 2013 Houston Rodeo Intl Wine Comp - Gold 16
Happenings
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Effervescent Evening • Saturday, March 22nd - 6:30pm Featuring Sparkling Winemaker Dave Hickey’s prized bubbles at the Laetitia Estate House. Take in the views while you enjoy a delicious meal prepared by Chef Michael Wood of Robin’s Restaurant accompanied by expertly paired wines. Seats fill fast, don’t miss out! $140pp/$120 Wine Club Cellar Dinner • Saturday, April 19th - 6:30pm Take in the barrel-aged scent you only get in a cellar at at our annual Cellar Dinner. This elegant family-style dinner is held between the barrels with Winemakers Eric & Dave Hickey while you dine on French cuisine prepared on site by Chef Jose Dahan of Et Voilà Restaurant. $150pp/$140 Wine Club Meet the Owners Winemaker Dinner • Friday, May 9th - 6:30pm Join us as we celebrate 30 years at the estate house with owners Selim & Nadia Zilkha and winemakers Eric & Dave Hickey. We’ll feature Chef Jose Dahan’s cuisine alongside our wines for a night to remember. $145pp/$125 Wine Club Wine Blending Seminar • Friday, June 13th - 6:30-8pm Join Winemaker Eric Hickey in this fun and educational seminar where he will lead you through the blending process, while you will learn the craft of winemaking. After the demonstration you will be split into groups to practice your blending and label design skills. There will be a contest for best blend and best designed label. $50pp/$45 Wine Club 17
Pictured: Art Bar event in Laetitia Press Room.
18 For reservations to any of our events call 805.474.7641, guests must be 21 and over.
Pruning at Home:
Tips & Tricks
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Fun Fact: Before pruning, the current year’s crop is determined in the months of March-June during the previous year.
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pringtime is upon us, which means an extra hour of daylight,
fresh blooms, new life and all that comes with this beautiful time of year. It is during this time that we begin to prune our vineyards and there are some specific ways we prune in order to ensure that we get an even, balanced crop load. Setting up our vines for success is a fairly simple process, but needs to be done carefully (there’s no coming back from too short a cutting!) and when done correctly will prepare our vines for an adequate amount of struggle, while allowing the vines enough support to make it through the growing season. Step one is to locate the one-year-old wood (Tip: look for the tan to brown colored, smooth wood that is about the diameter of a pencil.)
Things to Remember: 1. Locate one-year-old wood. 2. Count 3 buds up from the center of vine. 3. Cut at 45˚ angle. These are the spurs to prune, while others which appear to have wood sloughing off need to be removed completely. Once you have isolated the one-year-old wood, start at the base, count three buds up and make your cut at a 45˚ angle. Straight cuts aren’t reccomended, as water can settle inside, introducing fungus and bacteria to the vine. Make sure that all other parts of the vine are clear of growth(including the head, where the spurs meet), as you want to ensure that the energy in concentrated in the new wood. Good luck and happy pruning! 20
Cooking with Laetitia
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Asparagus Tart
Ingredients: • Pre-made pie crust (I use Trader Joe’s) • ¾ lb asparagus • 2 t olive oil • 1 T butter • 1 lb leeks, chopped, white part only • 1 t chopped fresh dill • 1 c heavy cream • 2 eggs • ¼ t pepper • ½ c Gruyere cheese
Serves 6
Thaw pie crust for 20 minutes and preheat oven to 425˚. Roll out the crust to a 12-inch circle and fit into a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Cover with foil and fill cavity with dried beans or rice to weigh it down. Bake until golden, 15-17 minutes. Meanwhile, place asparagus spears on a baking sheet; toss with olive oil and ½ t salt. Roast 10 minutes, shaking pan halfway through. In a large skillet over medium heat, soften leeks and dill in butter and ½ t salt. Cover and cook at medium-low heat 5-6 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk together cream, eggs, leeks and pepper. Pour into crust. Arrange asparagus on top of cream mixture and sprinkle top with cheese. Bake until filling is set and golden on top, about 30 minutes. Cool on a rack 30 minutes and serve warm or at room temperature.
“This tart screams SPRING, when tender asparagus, leeks and dill are at their peak. I am a sucker for veggies, cream and cheese baked into a crust, so this is a favorite at our house. I like pairing it with a crisp white like Pinot Grigio(Gris) or Sauvignon Blanc, but a creamier Chardonnay or bubbles would be totally appropriate.” -Jaime 21
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Kid-friendly!
J
aime Lewis is a wine/food/travel writer, passionate home cook, and mother to two young children. She assists wineries, restaurants, and lodging properties near and far in marketing their product, and her freelance writing has been published in several regional food and wine publications. She lives in San Luis Obispo. 22
Wine Club Customer Reorder Form Please complete your customer information and write the quantity of bottles desired next to the varietal. You may also call-in your order to (888) 809-8463, email it to wineclub@laetitiawine.com, or mail this form back to: Laetitia Vineyard & Winery - Attn: Wine Club 453 Laetitia Vineyard Drive Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 Club Member’s Name (first and last):_ ________________________________ Phone Number: _________________________________________________ Email: _________________________________________________________ Do you need to update your address or credit card information? Yes___No___ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
March Wine Club Order Price List* Sparkling Wines: Non-Vintage Laetitia Brut Cuvée 2011 Brut de Blancs 2008 Laetitia Brut Coquard 2009 Laetitia Cuvée M
$17.50 $21.00 $24.50 $24.50
White Wines: 2012 Laetitia Estate Chardonnay 2012 NADIA White 2012 Laetitia Reserve du Domaine Chardonnay
$12.60 ___ $21.00 ___ $21.00 ___
Red Wines: 2012 Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir 2012 Laetitia Clone 2A Pinot Noir 2011 NADIA Trio 2012 Laetitia Whole Cluster Pinot Noir 2012 Laetitia Reserve du Domaine Pinot Noir 2012 Laetitia Black Label Pinot Noir
$17.50 $22.40 $24.50 $28.00 $28.00 $42.00
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For a complete list of wines, visit our websites laetitiawine.com & nadiawine.com. *Prices will be honored through March 31, 2014. **Form must be postmarked on or before March 31, 2014.