Delivert combines French agriculture education with California winemaking
–Tolosa, a privately-owned winery in San Luis Obispo, Calif., welcomes Frederic Delivert as its new winemaker. Born and educated in France, Delivert brings extensive experience in Napa Valley to Edna Valley, where Tolosa recently underwent a multi-million renovation to elevate its wine, vineyards, production facilities and guest experiences under vintner Robin Baggett.
“As we look to continually up our game at Tolosa, it is important that we bring in a winemaker of Fred’s caliber. The combination of his experience gained in France and Napa Valley and the exceptional terroir of Edna Valley has the potential to create some very special wines,” said Baggett.
In 1995, Delivert graduated from École Supérieure d’Agriculture de Purpan in Toulouse, France with a master’s degree in agricultural science. He discovered California’s wine industry while a college intern in the Alexander Valley, worked as a harvest intern at various Napa Valley and Sonoma wineries following graduation before stints at Far Niente, Duckhorn Vineyards and Hafner Vineyard, and as assistant winemaker at PlumpJack and CADE. He landed his first full-time winemaker role in 2008 at Martin Estate and served in the same capacity at Tuck Beckstoffer Wines before consulting for Clark-Claudon, Paon, Tamber Bey and S.R. Tonella Cellars.
“Edna Valley is truly a hidden gem of a wine region, capable of producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that rival the very best in the world,” said Delivert. “I am excited to delve into the soils and the climate, fine tune farming in the extensive estate vineyard, and bring forth nuanced, balanced wines that showcase the character of Edna Valley.”
Delivert arrives just as Tolosa, which specializes in handcrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, releases the 2015 vintage of its reserve 1772 wines, the first vintage since Baggett, who co-founded the winery in 1998, took the reins in 2015. The 1772 Pinot Noir 2015 is a blend of five different clones of Pinot Noir from five separate blocks of Tolosa’s Edna Ranch estate vineyard. The 1772 Chardonnay 2015 is fermented and aged in small French oak barrels and underwent partial malolactic conversion.
Delivert will work with Tolosa consulting winemaker Jean Hoefliger, who is also the head winemaker at sister winery Alpha Omega in Napa Valley. The winemakers’ relationship began in 2010 when Clark-Claudon became a custom crush client of Alpha Omega. Delivert, who also assisted with Alpha Omega’s production in 2011 and 2012, further cements Tolosa’s commitment to excellence.
Tolosa, established in San Luis Obispo county’s Edna Valley in 1998, is an artisanal producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Edna Valley is the frontier for the most complex cool-climate varietals in California. Tolosa’s Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays reflect the cold Pacific wind that sweeps down the coast and funnels into the valley, as well as the remarkable diversity of soil types: ingredients for nuanced and balanced wines of distinctive character.
Tolosa is located at 4910 Edna Road and open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For reservations, email concierge@tolosawinery.com or call (805) 782-0500.
