laetitia VINEYARD & WINERY
march 2015
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 Drive Arroyo Grande, CA 93420 Tasting Room open daily from 11:00AM to 5:00PM
805.481.1772
info@laetitiawine.com www.laetitiawine.com www.nadiawine.com
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cellar update with
ERIC HICKEY
riddling the racks with
DAVE HICKEY
in the vines with
KELSEY RYAN featured employee club contents awards & accolades
happenings
featured in wine spectator cooking with laetitia
Pictured: Goats grazing at Laetitia Vineyard.
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“...It’s not your big, buttery, oaky California style Chardonnay.”
cellar update with eric hickey
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Eric Hickey, Head Winemaker We tend to be a little Pinot-centric around here. Of course having 440 acres of Pinot Noir vines to work with will do that to you. But we also grow another fantastic varietal – Chardonnay. We have 85 acres spread out in three main areas of our ranch and make three different bottlings – Estate, Reserve du Domaine and Clone 17. When asked to describe the style of our Chardonnay I always start with this statement – “It’s not your big, buttery, oaky California style Chardonnay.” And it’s a true statement. I then like to remind people of our sparkling wine. Our vineyard site was specifically chosen by the French 30+ years ago to grow Chardonnay grapes that remained acidic, delicate and fresh with green apple and citrus characters – everything you want for making sparkling wine. So, following this logic, the vines that we grow our Chardonnay for still wine are living in the same conditions and therefore have the same characteristics – higher acidity, bright citrus notes and a balance of richness that is not overpowering, heavy or sappy. The oak is a part of the wine, not THE wine. I invite you to enjoy any of the three Chardonnays we produce and appreciate the unique style our vineyard creates. 4
riddling the racks with dave hickey ........................................................
Dave Hickey, Sparkling Winemaker In the world of winemaking there is a constant evolution of ideas of how to make a better wine. For the winemaker this means that he may have to set up various experiments that may take many months, or even years to give him the results that he is looking for. But every once in a while an idea comes around that is just obviously the right thing to do. One of those ideas was “riddling.” For sparkling wine that is produced in the traditional method of Champagne, riddling is the process of maneuvering the yeast sediment in the bottle so that it can be removed and leave behind a clean, clear wine. These days we take that for granted, but in the early days of sparkling winemaking the wines were all very hazy with a heavy yeast impact. In the early 1800’s Madame Veuve Clicquot came up with the idea of a table with holes in it to hold bottles with the cork down. Once a day the bottles would be gently turned and given a slight tap so that in a few weeks all of the yeast was down on the cork. The bottle could then be opened (disgorged) to expel the yeast leaving behind brilliantly clear wine! Put in a new cork, install a new wire cage and the wine is ready for market. Unlike many ideas that come and go, that idea is here to stay. 5
Pictured: Fermenting bottles in a riddling rack.
“...in the early days of sparkling winemaking the wines were all very hazy...�
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Pictured: Owl box at Laetitia Vineyard.
“These ghostly pale predators feed on several species of 7 rodents, which can pose a significant threat...�
in the vines with KELSEY RYAN ....................................................................
Kelsey Ryan, Viticulturist/PCA
When producing wine grapes, it is a primary concern of the grape grower to protect their crop from native and invasive pests including insects, diseases and animals. At Laetitia, we make every effort to implement a long-term, successful and safe approach to managing pests, while also protecting the habitat we farm on. Encouragement of beneficial predators is frequently used in an integrated pest management (IPM) system. The use of insectary plantings, falconry and owl boxes are all examples of this practice. If you have ever taken a stroll through Laetitia Vineyard, you might have noticed several large bird houses perched up on 15 ft. poles. These nest boxes have been specifically built to house the barn owl, which provide shelter and protection yearround. Barn owls provide a mutually beneficial relationship with grape growers. These ghostly pale predators feed on several species of rodents, which can pose a significant threat in the production of grapevines. Vineyard ecosystems are particularly enticing to rodent species such as the pocket gopher and California vole. These burrowing rodents will feed on grapevine root systems, destroy roads and can cause erosion with their destructive tunnels. Natural predators such as the barn owl will not completely eradicate rodents, however they can certainly reduce the numbers present in the vineyard. Barn owls are native to North America and are one of the most widespread owls in the world. Their vast range can be attributed to their ability to thrive in a variety of habitats ranging from deserts, grasslands, ag fields and urban settings. Barn owls are not migratory birds, meaning they can benefit our vineyard ecosystem year-round. The barn owl is a nocturnal hunter. Several physical characteristics allow these owls to be successful hunters, including specialized sound dampening feathers for a silent flight, excellent low-light vision and extensive hearing abilities to detect prey. One nest of six young and two adults may consume more than 1,000 small animals during a nesting season! With the construction and placement of owl boxes throughout the vineyard, we can increase the presence of this already native avian hunter. At Laetitia, we care deeply to farm in a manner that has a minimal impact on the habitat and its native occupants. The practice of encouraging these natural predators will assist 8 us in managing a balanced ecosystem.
“...hadn’t seen a grapevine until after high school...” 9
Featured Employee:
ted r. hudson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Ted started work with us in early 2011, with very little knowledge about the wine industry and accounting practices unique to wineries. Since that time, he has had a hand in most all accounting functions, doing a variety of accounting and financial reporting. Over the years, his responsibilities have grown and now the bulk of his job entails legal compliance and tax reporting for all of our state transactions. We do business in 47 of the 50 states, so Ted stays busy making sure we carry all of the licenses required and pay all of the appropriate taxes associated with wholesale as well as direct-to-consumer sales. Ted says he is thankful for the great mentoring he has had along the way and couldn’t ask for a more talented group of colleagues to work with. Having grown up in Wyoming, Ted hadn’t seen a grapevine until after high school when he attended college in Oregon. Our office is located on the Laetitia Estate property, so one of his favorite things about coming to work is driving up to the office everyday. He enjoys seeing the vines go through the seasons, experiencing harvest and the smell of the fruit; not to mention the Pacific Ocean views. In his free time, Ted enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Kristin, seeing all that California has to offer. He also enjoys playing guitar, dabbling in magic and being on the water. Ted is currently studying to pass the CPA exam for the state of California, so he is working on putting the guitar down and picking up the books more often. Being from Wyoming, Ted says his tastes are pretty simple. He enjoys having a gently seasoned, grilled ribeye steak with potatoes and our NADIA Cabernet Sauvignon. Congrats 10 on four years Ted, we know you will ace that CPA exam!
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 2012 Laetitia Brut de Blancs A thoughtful blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, this lively sparkler shows bright flavors of grapefruit pith, lime blossom and kiwi fruit. Clean and focused, the wine finishes with delicate white tea, crushed stone and buttered toast nuances. Retail $32.00 Club $22.40 2012 Laetitia Brut de Noirs This rich bubble is proof that you can get your point across without raising your voice. Lush notes of crushed raspberry, orange rind and currant are interwoven with tones of cocoa powder and vanilla meringue. A soft, creamy finish and seamless integration make this a favorite among our most discerning sparkling fans. Retail $32.00 Club $22.40 2010 Laetitia Cuvée M Generous aromas of lemon shortbread greet the nose with a kiss of lime blossom and bread yeast. This 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay highlights the yin and yang of these wines traditionally used for sparkling production. First made to commemorate the millennium, the M finishes with balancing notes of citrusy lemon drop, courtesy of the Chardonnay, and structured apricot jam nuances from the Pinot Noir in the blend. Retail $40.00 Club $28.00 11
Pinot Noir club 2013 Laetitia Clone 777 Pinot Noir This sultry clone, originating from the Dijon region of France is just as well known for its velvet-like texture as it is for its notes of dark cherry, violet and whole-leaf tobacco. Fans of the La Coupelle and Whole Cluster Pinot Noirs should try this wine. Retail $34.00 Club $23.80 2013 Laetitia Whole Cluster Pinot Noir Our ‘black sheep’ of the Laetitia Pinot Noir Family, the Whole Cluster has made a name for itself for its beautiful red-purple hue, grippy mouthfeel and old world notes of rose petal, spiced black cherry and earl grey tea with perfectly integrated tannins and acidity. It has been said that this wine has a magical “je ne sais quoi.” Retail $42.00 Club $29.40 2013 Laetitia Reserve du Domaine Pinot Noir Deep garnet color and initial aromas of cherry cola and Shiitake mushroom, the Reserve Pinot Noir is known for its silken texture and seamless integration of finegrain tannin, complexity and balance. Expect crushed red raspberry and cherry flavors on the palate complimented by elements of soy, sweet smoke and savory herbs. Retail $42.00 Club $29.40 2013 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 2013 Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir Bursting from the glass are notes of cranberry and juicy mulberry, followed by sarsaparilla and freshly-grated nutmeg. Bright, crisp acidity frames youthful flavors of pomegranate, red cherry and sandalwood with a hint of the classic Laetitia spice. Although very approachable now, this wine will age gracefully for years to come. Look to pair with cedar-plank salmon and roasted mushrooms with herbs and goat cheese. Retail $25.00 Club $17.50 2013 NADIA White Aromatic waves of white lilies, citrus oils and hazelnut emerge from the glass in this blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier. Round in mouth feel with adequate weight and mineral flavors framed with honeycomb, graham cracker and Meyer Lemon crispness. This blend has spicy flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon; fullbodied and supple, perfect for rich seafood dishes with creamy sauces. Retail $30.00 Club $21.00 2013 Laetitia Clone 777 Pinot Noir This sultry clone, originating from the Dijon region of France is just as well known for its velvet-like texture as it is for its notes of dark cherry, violet and whole-leaf tobacco. Fans of the La Coupelle and Whole Cluster Pinot Noirs should try this wine. Retail $34.00 Club $23.80 2013 Laetitia Whole Cluster Pinot Noir Our ‘black sheep’ of the Laetitia Pinot Noir Family, the Whole Cluster has made a name for itself for its beautiful red-purple hue, grippy mouthfeel and old world notes of rose petal, spiced black cherry and earl grey tea with perfectly integrated tannins and acidity. It has been said that this wine has a magical “je ne sais quoi.” Retail $42.00 Club $29.40 13
Red club
2013 Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir Bursting from the glass are notes of cranberry and juicy mulberry, followed by sarsaparilla and freshly-grated nutmeg. Bright, crisp acidity frames youthful flavors of pomegranate, red cherry and sandalwood with a hint of the classic Laetitia spice. Although very approachable now, this wine will age gracefully for years to come. Look to pair with cedar-plank salmon and roasted mushrooms with herbs and goat cheese. Retail $25.00 Club $17.50 2013 Laetitia Clone 777 Pinot Noir This sultry clone, originating from the Dijon region of France is just as well known for its velvet-like texture as it is for its notes of dark cherry, violet and whole-leaf tobacco. Fans of the La Coupelle and Whole Cluster Pinot Noirs should try this wine. Retail $34.00 Club $23.80 2012 NADIA Cabernet Sauvignon Wild blackberry and forest floor notes enthusiastically emerge from the glass as sweet cigar smoke and perfumed violet weave throughout. Layers of chocolate covered cherries, anise and salty sea air are underscored by rich cedar with firm, yet supple tannin unwinding through time in the glass. Look to pair with a bison burger topped with sautéed mushrooms. Retail $35.00 Club $24.50 2013 Laetitia Whole Cluster Pinot Noir Our ‘black sheep’ of the Laetitia Pinot Noir Family, the Whole Cluster has made a name for itself for its beautiful red-purple hue, grippy mouthfeel and old world notes of rose petal, spiced black cherry and earl grey tea with perfectly integrated tannins and acidity. It has been said that this wine has a magical “je ne sais quoi.” Retail $42.00 Club $29.40 14
White club 2013 NADIA Sauvignon Blanc Mango peel aromas waft from the glass weaving through a redolence of tropical kiwi and night blooming jasmine. On the palate, cooked stone fruit and zingy key lime notes are softened by hints of dried field grass. A refreshing mineral-driven backbone is balanced by weight and texture imparted by 15% aging in neutral French oak, while the remainder aged in stainless steel. Retail $18.00 Club $12.60 2013 Laetitia Estate Chardonnay A mouth-filling palate of Bosc pear, pineapple and lemon oil overtones is balanced by spirited acidity and notes of crushed chalk. On second approach, this Chardonnay unfolds with nuances of summer melon, honeycomb cereal and spiced nutmeg. Look to pair with a simple Caesar salad with grilled shrimp or one of our favorites, chicken saltimbocca. Retail $20.00 Club $14.00 2013 NADIA White Aromatic waves of white lilies, citrus oils and hazelnut emerge from the glass in this blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier. Round in mouth feel with adequate weight and mineral flavors framed with honeycomb, graham cracker and Meyer Lemon crispness. This blend has spicy flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon; fullbodied and supple, perfect for rich seafood dishes with creamy sauces. Retail $30.00 Club $21.00 2013 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 15
• 2015 Houston Rodeo Intl Wine Competition Silver Medal • 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Silver Medal • 2015 Veritage Miami Best in Glass Wine Challenge Silver Medal 2010 Laetitia Cuvée M • Wine Enthusiast - 92 Points • Gayot - Top 10 Seafood Wines 2013 Laetitia Estate Chardonnay • 2015 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Silver Medal • Paso Robles Daily News Top local white wines for the holidays • SLO Visitors Guide Best local wines for the holidays
Awards & Accolades
NV Laetitia Brut Cuvée
2013 Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir • Connoisseurs’ Guide to CA Wine - 90 Points 2012 NADIA Cabernet Sauvignon • 2015 Houston Rodeo Intl Wine Competition Double Gold Medal, Class Champion • 2014 San Francisco Intl Wine Competition Double Gold Medal, 96 Points
Sacramento Magazine - Ocean Grown Santa Maria Sun - Sparkle, sparkle fizz: A guide to enjoying bubbles in the New Year *To read these articles online visit www.laetitiawine.com/awards-and-accolades/
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happenings
.............................................................................. Sparkling Winemaker Dinner • Saturday, March 28th - 6:30-9:00PM One of our most popular dinners year after year, our Sparkling Winemaker Dinner is an annual dinner hosted by Sparkling Winemaker, Dave Hickey, at the Laetitia Estate House. We solely feature our sparking wines alongside Chef Michael Wood’s culinary creations for an evening to remember. $140/Wine Club: $130 Cellar Dinner • Saturday, April 18th - 6:30-9:00PM An intimate, family-style dinner held in-between the barrels in our cellar. Hosted by Head Winemaker Eric Hickey, he showcases hand-picked vintage bottlings to pair with Laetitia Spring Lamb Navarin along with other French-inspired tantalizing dishes prepared by Chef José Dahan. The evening finishes in our dessert lounge, where we feature a variety of desserts and cheeses alongside our revered dessert wines. $150/Wine Club: $140 Blending Seminar with Winemaker Eric Hickey • Saturday, June 6th - 10:00AM-2:00PM An interactive, educational event led by Winemaker, Eric Hickey, where he will instruct on the process of blending followed by some hands-on blending of your own. Lunch will follow in our secret garden. (Date of event is subject to change) $55/Wine Club: $50 Wine Club BBQ • Saturday, July 18th - 1:00-4:00PM Wine Club Members, join us for our Annual Summer BBQ at the Laetitia Estate House lawn where we feature Santa Maria Style BBQ accompanied by Laetitia & NADIA Wines as well as live music, a photo booth area and wine-themed games! $40pp, Wine Club Only Summer Music Sessions Check our website for our summer music schedule, coming soon! 17
For reservations to any of our events call 805.474.7641, guests must be 21 and over. 18
Non-Vintage
LAETITIA
Brut CuvĂŠe
Featured in...
13 Top California Bubblies for the Holidays 10 California Sparkling Wines Sparkling Wine Values from Around the World 19
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Cooking with laetitia
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Chanterelle & Sausage Pasta with White Sauce Serves 4
Ingredients • • • • • • • • •
3 cloves garlic 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced 1/8 cup pine nuts handful of Chanterelle mushrooms, diced 3 uncooked sausage links of choice, 1 inch cuts 3/4 pint whipping cream pasta of choice salt & pepper, to taste
Directions On low heat, sweat out onion and garlic in olive oil. Stir in pine nuts until toasted. Sear uncooked sausage in 1 inch cuts in the same pan. Raise the heat to medium and pour in whipping cream. Bring to a boil and add salt and pepper to taste. Add mushrooms and bring down to a simmer until they get slightly tender. Pour over your favorite pasta.
Recipe courtesy of our resident Italian, VP of Vineyard Operations, Lino Bozzano. 21
G
loria and James Garcia have been members of our Sparkling Wine Club since 2007. The Garcias reside in San Luis Obispo and have enjoyed living the Central Coast lifestyle since they relocated from Northern California in 2007. In their spare time, James loves to road bike and play tennis, while Gloria loves to read and sew. Both the Garcias are foodies who enjoy exploring their backyard wine country and spending time with their two children. 22
wine club customer reorder form Please complete your customer information and write the quantity of bottles desired next to the wine(s). 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 2012 Laetitia Brut de Blancs 2012 Laetitia Brut de Noirs 2010 Laetitia Cuvée M
$17.50 $22.40 $22.40 $28.00
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White Wines: 2013 NADIA Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Laetitia Estate Chardonnay 2013 NADIA White 2013 Laetitia Reserve du Domaine Chardonnay
$12.60 $14.00 $21.00 $21.00
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Red Wines: 2013 Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir 2013 Laetitia Clone 777 Pinot Noir 2012 NADIA Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Laetitia Whole Cluster Pinot Noir 2013 Laetitia Reserve du Domaine Pinot Noir 2013 Laetitia Black Label Pinot Noir
$17.50 $23.80 $24.50 $29.40 $29.40 $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, 2015.