76 Degrees, Bottles and Air Conditioning...

I'm writing this quick note while waiting for our bottles to arrive via truck for the 2008 vintage. Over the last couple of weeks I've been sampling the 08' wines and they are stellar. Last night we tasted the 08' Estate Petite Sirah from the single barrel and it's clearly our best PS to date.

Today it's 76 degrees in the shade at the winery and 57 degrees inside the winery barrel room. The weather has been beautiful the past few days and we're enjoying it.

We finished pruning the vineyard a few days ago and I've already applied to the vines a product used to help burn away mildew spores that weather over the winter season. Soon we're hoping to find time to raise the single drip wire a few inches on every vine.

Also coming up is the release of the 2007 Estate Zinfandel (as mentioned in previous notes), we're getting ready for this release by updating order forms and preparing for the usual orders that come with a new release.

We've had a few people ask about more pictures of the winery and vineyard. I know the winery slide show is a little buried on the website and I'll have to fix that. But, we also have lots of pictures on Facebook which you can see with or without joining.

In addition to the bottle delivery, today we placed the new 3 ton AC system in place in the winery. I'm looking forward to having this production space cooled in addition to the barrel room which has it's own AC unit.

February Newletter... New Release

Our 2007 Estate Zinfandel releases at the end of this month, plan to taste this terrific wine at Lund's on the 27th and on the 28th at the Orange County Wine Society Extraordinaire. Further information in our newsletter and on our events page. This Friday I'll be at Monterey Street Wines toasting Valentines Day with Sparkling Wine, Chocolate, and Estate Toucanet. Join us at one of our events soon!

Vineyard, Rain, New Release Dates and Specials...

We're several days into pruning the vineyard and it's going really well. The mild weather is a pleasure and we've had good timing between rainstorms. We have already reached the average rainfall for the season and the usual big rain comes in February.

We just cleaned out the winery, moving stuff that was being stored and making room for a new 3 ton air conditioner. We will also be bottling soon, so the space made will help with that process. I just tasted through all the wines in barrel and the 08' and 09' vintages will be wines to look forward to. But wait, we haven't released all the 2007 wines yet!

The release date for the 2007 Estate Zinfandel is Feb. 27th at Lund's in the Village of Arroyo Grande and the 28th at the OCWS Extraordinaire at the Anaheim Hilton.

Stop into Lund's for a no charge tasting of our new release and join us in Anaheim for a fun event full of food and wines.

Finally, I ask that you check out our website specials page beginning next week, these specials will be available to all customers.

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!

Welcome 2010 - Toucan Wines Ship in CA. for $1

We're starting out the new year with $1 Shipping in California on orders of 6 bottles or more. We ended the year working on a new project on the property.

The new retaining walls will support walkways and a party patio by the house. As with many projects, this has been in the planning stage for years.

We wish all our friends, Club members, and all other supporters a Happy and Rewarding 2010.

Wet Weather has us Working in the Winery

We've reached about 11 inches of rain for the season, a great start for a region that usually doesn't see much of the wet stuff until January. The cold weather and rain forced us into the winery to look for projects, of which we have no shortage.

So, we're currently labeling the recently released Estate Toucanet. I had some time after harvest to label and packaged enough of the wine to support the release, allowing me to begin shipping - but we blew through that batch quickly.

The Estate Toucanet is perfect holiday gift and wonderful toasting wine for the season. Enjoy this dessert wine with friends and family.

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

Winter Arrives with Rain and Cold... Last Event of 2009

On Monday, the second rain of the season brought another 1.5 inches adding to the 5.5 inches gifted at the end of our harvest. More rain is expected this weekend making this a great start for the season. Our first frosty nights arrived in October, but yesterday the temps dipped into the mid-20's leaving a blanket of frost that covered our entire valley.

Our very last special tasting event will be at Monterey Street Wine Co. in San Luis Obispo on the 18th (Friday) from 5 till close. Frankly, this will be more of a party, the venue is great and improving everyday, and the tasting will be a selection sparkling wines and Toucan Wines. They'll feature gourmet foods, wines to taste and wines by the glass. This will be the perfect chance to enjoy some great wine and select a few last minute holidays gifts.

Plus, I'll be pouring our wines at Lund's in the village of Arroyo Grande every Saturday from 1-5pm through the end of the year.

Vineyard and Home Projects, plus New Events...

Our December newsletter is now available, amazing how quickly this year flew by. Now that winter has arrived, were starting work on a new patio in back of our home with a fire pit and a retaining wall. We're also doing some changes in the vineyard. This winter we'll raise the drip line and wire, used for tying vines in summer, and shorten the drip line to water between the vines instead of on top of the vine.

The vineyard looks beautiful this time of year, as seen in this photograph taken this week. We've had one terrific rain storm that offered over 5 inches and our next rainfall is expected next week.

We also have a number of new events coming up - this Friday I'll be in Atascadero for the evening pouring outside of Endless Summer Jewelry as a part of the Wine and Art Walk in that town. On Friday the 18th, I'll be again at Monterey Street Wines in San Luis Obispo from 5-8pm - this is a great event and I encourage all locals to come and enjoy a good time and evening out. And of course every Saturday through the rest of the year I'll be pouring at Lund's in the village of Arroyo Grande.

Finally, we ask that you order your gifts of wine from Toucan Wines via the website or simply by called us directly.

Happy Holidays!

Wines for the Holidays...

Don't worry - I'll be pouring our latest releases as well and some library wines at Lund's in the village of Arroyo Grande every Saturday through the holidays. Currently available from the winery are the 05' and 06' Estate Zinfandel and our dessert wine Estate Toucanet.

Holiday gifts will be shipped from the winery to your friends and family and we even have a couple of magnums of Estate Zinfandel for special gifts.