Spring Activities

We've recently enjoyed a little rain and now very mild weather. The spring flowers are out and the valley is beautiful. We've been busy with landscaping projects and work on our tractor shed. Next in the vineyard is a hoeing project and then we'll be suckering the unwanted shoots.

Bud break at the Toucan Wines Vineyard

The first leaf of the vintage has popped our swelling buds. As always, it's the 86 east facing Zinfandel vines sloped toward our water tanks that break bud first. This section is quickly followed by vines on top of the hill where thinner soils make growing a challenge, and next by the Petite Sirah.

Happy Spring

Warm weather, still hoping for rain

We've had a warm couple of days, and I'm still hoping for rain this weekend - but the chance has been reduced to 40%. It's really a beautiful time of year with the green grassy hills and the tree leafing out. When you come to the central coast, please stop into Lund's on Saturday to taste our wines.

If you enjoy Facebook, please join us - our group is Toucan Wines and here you'll find updates, events and even special offers.

In the Vineyard...

Waiting for bud-break, but we're in no hurry! The vineyard is pruned, cuttings removed, we mowed and weed-whacked, now it's time to focus on other projects. In 2008 bud-break was on 3/14 and in 2007 bud-break was on 3/25, I'd prefer later to avoid frost damage -- just last night we suffered from a heavy frost and that's not good for young growth.

Kathy's Pick

KATHY'S PICK - March 5, 2009

Toucan Wines 2006 Zinfandel Arroyo Grande Valley

This darkly-hued wine offers intense notes of blackberries, boysenberries, and black cherries that are rich and ripe, almost jammy notes but kept in balance by its natural acidity. Although it’s drinkable now, you’ll be rewarded by cellaring it three to six years. A good choice for barbecued ribs or steaks, meat, and cheese pizza, or penne pasta with sausage and mushrooms. Only $34 at Lund’s in Arroyo Grande or online at toucanwines.com. Read the New Times San Luis Obispo - http://www.newtimesslo.com/food-wine/

Pruning complete and great weather!

We've had wonderful weather and the days I spent pruning were very rewarding. Hard work but the time gave me a chance to think, listen to some good music and get some much needed exercise. Now, I'm getting ready for the first tasting event of our season and looking forward to getting back into projects around the property.

Remember our $1 shipping for orders of six bottles or more, and our new release , the 2006 Estate Zinfandel, is at the tasting bar in two more local places: SLO Down Pub offering live music and a cool vib and Gather in the village of Arroyo Grande opening later in March.

Started pruning, finally!

We've started pruning having completed bottling the 07' wines. The pruning is going well, but rain will be slowing progress this coming week.

Thanks to all those who've stop in to taste our 2006 Estate Zinfandel. Check out our new tasting sign used at Lund's on Saturdays - painted by Margareta.

Bottling and a little rain is nice!

We've been working at hand-bottling our 2007 vintage wines. We completed the small amount of 07 Estate Petite Sirah and we're still working on the 07 Estate Zinfandel. By the end of next week, you'll find us in the vineyard pruning.

Several days of rain is contributing to our rain-totals but we are still way under average.

New Release!

Toucan Wines 2006 Estate Zinfandel is now released on the web site and available at a few resellers. Stop in at Lund's (in Arroyo Grande) this Saturday and try the new release - and visit us at the Orange County Wine Society event March 1st to sample all our current releases.