New Videos from The Wine Weirdos...

The latest two videos reviewing Toucan Wines have been posted by the Wine Weirdos. In these hilarious videos you'll find very serious recommendations. Watch the 2009 Estate Zinfandel review from the Wine Weirdos and then, watch the review of our Estate Toucanet. Enjoy!

Perfect Gift, Samplers, and Events

Valentine's day is next week and here's my reminder that our Estate Toucanet and chocolate is the perfect gift. We also announced new 3 and 6 bottle sampler packs in our recent newsletter. Here's a picture of Estate Toucanet that arrived in the New York area this week headed for retail stores and restaurants.

Our wine festival event schedule is coming together and we hope we'll see you at the event closest to you!

Here we are in early February and the weather on the central coast has been awesome - spring-like and great outdoor working weather. Terrie and I finished the pruning and all the cuttings are removed from the vineyard. I've started a few of the other small chores in the vineyard and we are gearing up for the job of raising the drip wire in the oldest section of the vineyard. Friend and volunteer Robert has joined us for a week of hard work and we're off to a great start.

Please let me know if I can help you select the perfect gift for you Valentine!

What to Expect from Toucan Wines in 2010...

Our latest newsletter talks to our commitment to customers in 2010, plus what we're making in the winery, new release plans for our Estate Zinfandel, a listing of the events we are scheduled to attend, and other Toucan news.

Also, newly scheduled - I'll be at Monterey Street Wines on February 12th - 6pm till close - to celebrate Valentine's Day, Monterey Steet Wines will be featuring our Estate Toucanet, Sparkling Wines, and maybe a few surprises. Join me!

Estate Toucanet Gets Thumbs Up from The Bernards Inn's Terri Baldwin

The Bernards Inn is a world-class hotel and fine dining destination in Bernardsville, New Jersey. The fine wine collection is the work of Wine Director/Sommelier Terri Baldwin, and has been awarded the "Best of Award of Excellence" from the Wine Spectator Magazine for the past eight years.

Terri has put together an amazing International list, including French first growth wines dating back to the 50's and California premier Cabernets dating into the 60's.

We're proud that Terri has selected Toucan Wines for her fine wine list, including both our 2005 Estate Zinfandel and our Estate Toucanet. Here's what Terri has to say:

Estate Toucanet: the beauty of this unique sweet dessert wine is the flavor and texture. When I tasted this wine, I was extremely pleased with all that it offered. Dark sweet fruits, raspberry, wild cherry, vanilla, mocha. Great for gift giving with its uniqueness, this wine will be sure to satisfy the sweet tooth after dinner or as a holiday toast. Not cloyingly sweet, the texture is elegant and smooth that will have you thirsting for more. This wine will also age incredibly well for 15+ years. The packaging of this wine is also elegant in a 500 ML bottle (16 oz) and boasts 5 Toucan birds on the label…. Terrie Baldwin

Petite Sirah - Too Shy to Show at It's Own Party...

That's right - I've withdrawn the 2007 Estate Petite Sirah release and locked it back in the winery bottle cellar until it screams for release!

Yesterday, our release party at Lund's was a lot of fun and thanks to everyone who came to visit and try the wines - our 2004 and 2006 Estate Petite Sirah showed very well, as did the dessert wine Estate Toucanet and the Sunset Ridge Vineyards 07' Petite Sirah - but the Toucan Wines 07's Estate Petite Sirah was still very tightly wound and shy to unfold into the beautiful wine hiding behind the label. Frankly, it just didn't show up for the party!

As with all of our wines, I've tried to release them at a point that they can be enjoyed relatively immediately. But our Petite Sirah has a history of being a slow starter, beginning with our 2004. This first release of Petite Sirah, the 2004 vintage, is now in full bloom and drinking beautifully (as enjoyed yesterday). The 2006 was also released too early and was very closed upon release, and now just beginning to show it's inner beauty. Both of these wines are sold out at the winery, but our 2006 in available locally at a few fine wine shops and restaurants. Email me if you're looking for this wine in SLO county and take a look at our location guide on the website. You'll find our 06' Estate Petite Sirah in several fine restaurants in the NY/NJ areas as well.

So, the Toucan Wines 2007 Estate Petite Sirah will remain tucked away in the winery bottle cellar until sometime next year. If you enjoyed the wine yesterday and want to reserve your own supply - please email me directly and I'll hold your order until released (again). In the mean time, enjoy the other offerings from Toucan Wines including our 2006 Estate Zinfandel (a blend that includes 19% Estate Petite Sirah), our new sweet dessert wine - Estate Toucanet, and still available for the holidays is a limited amount of library wines - our 04' and 05' Estate Zinfandel.

Thank you for your continued support. I promise that eventually our 07' Estate Petite Sirah will reward each of us with it's inner beauty - but obviously on it's terms, in it's own time and only when it's ready.

First Rain of the Season...

On the central coast we are receiving our first real rain of the season, this storm will deliver as much as 6 inches of rain fall.

Fortunately, we spent yesterday morning pulling in the last of the ripe fruit from the our small estate vineyard. Overall quantity from our 3 1/2 in going to be down from previous vintages, but the quality is terrific.

Thank you to those who attended our Estate Toucanet release party at Lund's in Arroyo Grande. If you'd like to taste our latest releases, including our new Dessert Wine, see our Event schedule for an opportunity to taste our wine and say hello. Our next event is this Thursday in Pismo Beach...