2010 Harvest

It really is going to be a strange vintage for everyone up and down California. A very cool season caused almost everyone to thin their canopies more than usual (remove leaves so the grapes have more access to sun/heat exposure). Last week, the state was unexpectedly hit with several days of blistering heat. Edna Valley, a usually mild/cool climate, hit as high as 114 degrees. Unfortunately, the grapes that had been exposed were severely damaged or lost. Stories started to trickle in of vineyards losing crops. We did not escape the nightmare entirely. We didn't lose crop, but we did see some water loss and heat damage on our pinot, prompting us to check the numbers and, ultimately, pick the pinot. I definitely think it was the right decision. The pinot looks great and the numbers are good. I am very thankful that mother nature cut us a break this time. Our Chardonnay is holding up like a champ. Barely even showing signs of having gone through the dramatic weather shift. A few more weeks on the Chardonnay and it will be ready to go.

Under Design

We are knee deep in the planning and designing of the new winery and tasting room. Although we had preliminary drawings that were approved by the Coastal Commission, the details had yet to be ironed out. Things like, solar panels v. skylights, where to put all the hook-ups, and of course, how the tasting room is to be laid-out. Between the architect, Steve Dooley (our winemaker), our consultants, and my parents; I think we’ve come up with some really exciting ideas. I feel like a kid in November knowing that Christmas is right around the corner and hardly able to contain my excitement. But above all, seeing my parents finally realizing their dream is more than a kid could ask for.

Wino Wednesday at Sustenance

Join us for a casual evening of wine, food, and music as TreViti Wines kicks off Sustenance’s summer wine pairing program. We will be pouring our wines along with perfectly paired appetizers from the Sustenance kitchen. Music by Rocky Logue. Hope to see you there!

When:
Wednesday, June 2
6pm-8pm

Where:
Sustenance Studio
2033 Santa Barbara Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

RSVP:

(805) 234-1691

info@sustenance-studio.com

$25/person

Busy Week

Since I was pregnant with our second son this time last year, I was unable to partake in the multitude of local wine events that announce springtime. I intend to make up for that this year! This past week was a good start. My husband, Matt, and I headed to Roll Out The Barrels last Thursday. It's the San Luis Obispo Vintners Association spring event. All the wineries in the association get together for a grand tasting and food pairing in the Mission Plaza located in Downtown San Luis Obispo. What a well put together event. Matt and I had a great time, although a bit windy. The organizers did a fantastic job of pairing the food and wine. Of course I had a few favorites, Laetitia's Pinots (they had several there), and Talley's Pinot. I really admire both of these wineries and hope that TreViti can rise to the bar that they have set for cool climate Pinot.

Saturday afternoon was another big event in Paso Robles, Hospice du Rhone Grand Tasting. HdR is a 4 day winelover's dream; seminar's, tastings, luncheons, bbq's, even a Rhone n' Bowl. We were only able to make it to the Grand Tasting this year, but it did not disappoint. Hundreds of Rhone wines flowed rather freely and the crowd was, as always, rambunctious and opinionated. It really is a great time. I think my favorites of the day were Hug Viognier, Cabot Syrahs, and Wrath Syrahs.


Sunday, we took a step off the beaten path and volunteered at the annual Polenta Dinner that benefits the Old Santa Rosa Chapel in Cambria. We poured our Chardonnay and helped with the take-out line. Over 700 dinners were served. My parents worked the majority of the event. I came in late (after the kids were down for their naps) to relieve my dad. A fantastic event- so much fun to work with all the volunteers and meet the locals as well as the people who traveled over an hour to sit down to dinner. The polenta was excellent!





Not sure what's next on the agenda, I have been trying to get the Gather wine bar in Arroyo Grande for some time to check it out. Maybe next week, now that I have the spring wine bug.

Fantastic News!

We are so very excited that our winery and tasting room project was finally approved by the California Coastal Commission. I am posting a thank you letter below on behalf of my parents, Don & Charlene Stolo:

TreViti Wines Friends & Family,

On Thursday, April 15, Stolo Family Winery, home of TreViti Wines, received a 9-1 favorable vote from the California Coastal Commission. Translation: After 5 long years of working with SLO County and the California Coastal Commission, we are finally able to begin planning and constructing our winery and tasting room on our property in Cambria. Needless to say, we are beyond happy.

Our gratitude for this approval goes out to many. First, our extremely competent advisors, Kirk Consulting, were unwavering in their dedication, hard work, and faith in our project. Jamie Kirk and Rachael Kovesdi not only brought their knowledge and experience, but also the advice of other professionals such as David Neish Sr. and David Neish Jr. as well as Steven Kaufmann, esq. to the team.

Second, and equally important, are our many friends and neighbors from North and South who dedicated their day to make the trip to Ventura for the hearing. Over 40 people were in attendance and many came prepared to speak in support with great articulation and impressive passion: Maria Bennetti, Matt Bennetti, Tony Bennetti, Jim Bahringer, Bruce Black, Mary Ann Carson, Bob Clark, Dawn Dunlap, Beth Kendall, Bill Kesselring, John Linn, Joe Prian, Peggy Sonoda and Barbara Walter. We are positive that these speakers and the more than 200 letters & petition signatures that were sent to the California Coastal Commission on our behalf had a huge effect on swaying the vote. Thank You, Thank You!

We know that without the constant support of you all, our success would not have been possible.

Most exciting, and what we've been waiting to say for a long time is, we look forward to welcoming you to our winery and sharing a glass of wine with you in the very near future!!

Heartfelt Thanks,

Don & Charlene Stolo

An Open Letter Urging Your Support

March 31, 2010

Dear TreViti Supporters,

First, thanks to all those who have supported us with letters to the California Coastal Commission Staff. We greatly appreciate the time you took to put your thoughts in writing.

On April 15, we finally have our opportunity to impress upon the twelve Commissioners the importance a small winery and tasting room on our property will be to our family business and the positive impact it will have on improving Cambria tourism. Physical support at the meeting on April 15th is critical. Individuals that simply attend the hearing or attend and speak in support of the project do sway the Commissioners. A large turnout will be seen as proof that the project has the support of many. There will not be a second chance. Commissioners will vote up or down to allow our project to proceed. We urge anyone who can possibly attend to please come and join us.

Details:

California Coastal Commission Hearing for the Stolo Family Winery & Tasting Room

April 15, 2010

approximately 10:00 am

Location:

Venture County Board of Supervisors

800 S. Victoria Ave.

Ventura, CA

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at mariabennetti@treviti.com

Thanks again for your generous support,

Matt & Maria Bennetti
TreViti Wines
Stolo Family Vineyard

Matt's Birthday Giveaway

We are offering the below to all Facebook members and TreViti blog followers:

It's Matt's birthday! In honor of the big day we are offering 2 free bottles of TreViti Wines shipped to you when you sign-up for our Wine Club

Our Easy Membership Includes:

* 6 bottles a year (3 shipments of 2 bottles each)
* 15% off all orders, including wine club shipments
* Exclusive access to tour and taste at Stolo Family Vineyards in Cambria

Sign-up Here!

One Elite Vineyard
One Unique Location
One Passionate Family
TreViti Wines

Offer good through February 28, 2010

-for more wine club details click here
-each wine club shipment costs between $35-$55 depending on what is shipped (tax & shipping not included)
-wine club is shipped every April, August, and November (weather permitting)

January Tasting Events: Off to a Great Start

Two back to back weekends of tasting events last month. First, Red Wine and Gold at my old alma mater, Rosary High School, in Fullerton, CA on January 23. We poured our 2006 Stolo Family Vineyard Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah along side some really great wineries from Napa, Sonoma, & Central Coast. The yearly event is a fundraiser for the Trudy Mazzarella Scholarship Fund. This is the second year TreViti's participated in Red Wine & Gold and we always have a fantastic time. The evening was a huge hit, we had lots of interest and lots of fun. (The wires got crossed this year and, for some reason, we were entered in as TreViti Vineyard. Attention to detail.... I can't tell you how many times I heard that from my english teacher- oh, the memories.)





The Cambria Art & Wine Festival was next up, January 30th. We poured our 2007 Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and 2006 Syrah amidst the 20 or so other local wineries in the town hall. It is such a fun, quaint, local event. Lots of locals and many visitors from both L.A. and S.F. came out to taste. I do have to say that more often than not, I had people coming back for 2^nd and 3^rd pours of all three. I received many compliments on the wines and many touted the Pinot as the best wine of the day. Always good to hear!
We also gave a sneak peak of our new label and logo to the event goers. Positive response all around. You all will have to wait a bit longer for the big release!

I am a terrible blogger

Let me be the first to point out that, yes, I have not written anything in over a year. I am a horrible blogger. I can come up with 100 excuses as to why I haven’t written. The biggest being the birth of our second son, Nico. But please, I couldn't’t find the time to post something? I now resolve as part of my “proactive & positive” 2010 outlook to keep you updated at least once a month on our journey to creating a small wine label and managing a growing family business.

2009 Recap:

Like many wineries, small ones especially, we saw a decrease in sales and wine club sign-ups due to the poor economy. TreViti is very lucky. Thanks to the continued support of family and friends, we are still up and running. I know of a few wineries that have sadly had to sell off their inventory and close their doors. It’s very scary and sad at the same time. Okay, enough bad economy talk. Let us look forward towards a prosperous 2010 for everyone.

TreViti's 2007 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were released last year with much anticipation. 2007 was deemed one of the better vintages in recent California history. Berry size was small and concentrated lending to bolder and more concentrated wines. Stolo Family Vineyard had a lower yield, but the intensity kicked up a notch or two. I am very pleased with the vintage and the direction the vineyard is headed. Where's the 2007 Syrah you ask? I tried it in December and felt it needed a bit more time to mature. We are planning to release it February 2010.

The newly planted vineyard (we call it the south vineyard) is maturing at a steady pace. We should have our first harvest of whites, Sauvignon Blanc & Gewurztraminer, in 2010. The Pinot Noir will have to wait another year. We are very excited to see what the vineyard will give us.

On the down-side, we still have had no movement on securing the right to house a small winery and tasting room on the vineyard property in Cambria. The California Coastal Commission has again managed to stall us for another year. We won’t give up! (positive 2010 thoughts here). We, and I mean my mom & dad, Don and Charlene Stolo, have been working non-stop to meet the demands of the Commission and come to some sort of agreement. Maybe 2010 is our lucky year….

More on what now has become a very long story with the California Coastal Commission in the next post.

2010 To Do/Wish list:

• open a small winery and tasting room at Stolo Family Vineyards

• harvest our first batch of Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer- so cool!

• unveil our new look…. I know, so secretive

• get Wine Spectator to notice us. What does a label have to do to get these guys’ attention?

• oh yeah, and keep the blog updated

Thanks for checking in!