SLO County Golf, Wine & Real EstateGolf, Wine & Real Estate News and Events Blog
Tolosa Winery Celebrates Harvest with Grapes BlessingMonday, September 25, 2006At last, harvest is in full swing on the Central Coast of California. The grapes took their time each step of the way: they were late in budding, in veraison, and to harvest. While a late harvest occurs once every five years, one extraordinary thing about this year is how late the bloom began. "It occurred some three weeks later than usual and was of significant concern to everyone up and down the state," said Jim Efird, Principal and Vineyard Manager of Tolosa Winery.The annual Blessing of the Grapes ceremony is held at Tolosa Winery at the beginning of each harvest. This tradition found its roots in the St. Benedict's Monastery at Monte Casino in Italy during the seventh century and was brought to California by the Franciscan Missionaries. The first blessing of wine in California was by Fr. Jose Bernardo Sanchez at San Gabriel Mission in 1807. The blessing has much religious significance due to the belief that the wine is transubstantiated into the blood of Christ during Holy Sacrament of Eucharist. Thus, the prayers, which are found in the Book of Blessings, ask that the grapes, and the wine, turn out well. Fr. Luis Antonio Martinez, pastor of Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa blessed grapes not far from the present day Tolosa Winery and vineyards beginning in 1812. Local historian Dan Krieger was on hand at Tolosa's Blessing of the Grapes today to share more about the significance of Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and the Tolosa vineyards. Tolusa senior winemaker Larry Brooks noted that the primary varietal for Tolosa is Pinot Noir, which is one of the earliest to ripen. He said the harvest should produce "exceptionally concentrated" wines. "The small bit of Syrah we make will be the nail-biter as it is a late varietal that likes the heat. Being at the mercy of the weather is what makes winemakers either incurable optimists (my camp) or religious fatalists (option B - see Blessing of the Grapes)." Article: Late harvest finally swings into action in San Luis Obispo at Tolosa Winery Tags: San Luis Obispo Central Coast Wine |
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