United States · San Luis Obispo

Laetitia Winery

Arroyo Grande Valley estate focused on traditional method sparkling wine, cool climate Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

The producer

Laetitia Vineyards & Winery began as Maison Deutz in 1982 on ocean cooled hillsides in the Arroyo Grande Valley AVA. The estate focuses on traditional method sparkling wine and cool climate Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay and other coastal varieties alongside them. Two French Coquard presses serve sparkling base wines and selected Pinot Noir lots. Eric Hickey has worked there from cellar work to head winemaker before joining the group that acquired the estate in 2024.

Known for

Cool climate Pinot Noir and sparkling wine

Notable facts

The story

From Cellar To Ownership

In 1988, Eric Hickey began working at Laetitia in the cellar. He stayed with the estate and moved through its production work, eventually becoming head winemaker. His responsibilities later expanded to include the winery's sustainability efforts. In 2024, Hickey joined Ejnar Knudsen and Jeff Nicholson in acquiring the estate, then took the role of general manager and winemaker. The longtime cellar worker became part of the ownership group and took charge of operations at Laetitia.

From Cellar To Ownership

In 1988, Eric Hickey began working at Laetitia in the cellar. He stayed with the estate and moved through its production work, eventually becoming head winemaker. His responsibilities later expanded to include the winery's sustainability efforts. In 2024, Hickey joined Ejnar Knudsen and Jeff Nicholson in acquiring the estate, then took the role of general manager and winemaker. The longtime cellar worker became part of the ownership group and took charge of operations at Laetitia.

From the atlas

Laetitia Winery

An Arroyo Grande Valley estate pairing ocean cooled hillsides with traditional method sparkling wine, cool climate Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

At A Glance

FieldFact
RegionCalifornia Central Coast
AppellationArroyo Grande Valley AVA
Main grapesPinot Noir and Chardonnay
Named winesLaetitia Estate Pinot Noir 2021, Laetitia Estate Whole Cluster Pinot Noir 2019, Laetitia Estate Chardonnay 2020
Defining featureTraditional method sparkling wine, cool climate Pinot Noir, and two French Coquard presses

The Producer

Laetitia began on ocean cooled hillsides in 1982, when Champagne Deutz established Maison Deutz in the Arroyo Grande Valley AVA. The estate adopted the Laetitia name in 1997 and continued making California Central Coast Pinot Noir and sparkling wine.

The current focus is sparkling wine and cool climate Pinot Noir, complemented by Chardonnay and other coastal varieties. Eric Hickey has worked his way from cellar work to head winemaker and leads the winery's sustainability efforts. Laetitia is now owned by Hickey, Ejnar Knudsen, and Jeff Nicholson.

Place

The Arroyo Grande Valley AVA lies on California's Central Coast, with Laetitia's vineyards described as ocean cooled hillsides. Ocean cooling slows ripening, helping grapes retain acidity while developing flavor gradually. That setting suits the estate's focus on sparkling wine and cool climate Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay and other coastal varieties alongside them.

Soil And Site

Laetitia's estate exceeds 900 acres and is permanently protected by the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County. The land provides habitat for native plants and animals, including birds of prey, deer, foxes, and native wildflowers.

The winery is restoring and replanting its historic vineyards with sustainable and regenerative farming practices. During the transformation, Laetitia makes wines from selected local vineyards. The fruit source is therefore changing while the estate's own vineyard restoration continues.

Story

Selim Zilkha bought the winery in 2001. Vintage Wine Estates later bought the brand and winery in 2019, bringing the property into a larger ownership group.

The new ownership group planned a smaller, more focused operation and the replanting of 100 acres over five years. Laetitia's production now runs alongside a long vineyard rebuilding program, with the estate's sparkling wine and cool climate Pinot Noir focus continuing through the transition.

Vineyards And Cellar

For sparkling wines, Laetitia hand harvests grapes at a balance of acidity and ripeness, then presses them with traditional French Coquard presses. Two Coquard presses are also used for selected Pinot Noir lots.

The sparkling wines undergo their second fermentation in bottle, followed by extended ageing on lees, riddling, and disgorgement. Lees are spent yeast cells, and time with them can add texture and breadlike depth before the wine is clarified and finished.

The estate has held SIP Certified Vineyard status since 2008. Its farming priorities include cover crops, soil health, water conservation, biodiversity, and renewable energy initiatives.

Wines

The still range includes Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir 2021, made entirely from Pinot Noir; Laetitia Estate Whole Cluster Pinot Noir 2019, also made entirely from Pinot Noir; and Laetitia Estate Chardonnay 2020, made entirely from Chardonnay.

The Whole Cluster bottling uses intact bunches, meaning the stems remain with the grapes during fermentation. The method is described as bringing extra firmness and energy. Laetitia's wider range includes roughly ten Pinot Noir wines differentiated by vineyard source, price, and production volume.

Sparkling wine forms a separate part of the range, made by the traditional method with second fermentation in bottle, lees ageing, riddling, and disgorgement.

In The Glass

Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir 2021 opens with blueberry, raspberry, mineral notes, strawberry, cherry, pepper, mint, wild raspberry, nougat, and cinnamon, with oak influence. The palate is dry and barely medium bodied, with above medium acidity, fine tannins, and a balanced finish.

The 2019 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir brings citrus, deep red fruit, anis, tobacco, autumn leaves, and pepper. Its palate has tart acidity, moderate but grippy tannins, a barely medium body, and warmth on the finish. Cherry, raspberry, lingonberry, strawberry, and toasted oak also appear in its aroma.

A Bottle To Understand It

Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir 2021 is the first bottle to open. It is entirely Pinot Noir and carries the Central Coast appellation listed for the wine. The bottle presents Laetitia's main still wine focus through one grape and one vintage, without the intact bunches used for the 2019 Whole Cluster bottling or the shift to Chardonnay found in the 2020 Estate Chardonnay.

Anecdote

In 1988, Eric Hickey began working at Laetitia in the cellar. He stayed with the estate and moved through its production work, eventually becoming head winemaker. His responsibilities later expanded to include the winery's sustainability efforts. In 2024, Hickey joined Ejnar Knudsen and Jeff Nicholson in acquiring the estate, then took the role of general manager and winemaker. The longtime cellar worker became part of the ownership group and took charge of operations at Laetitia.

Final Word

Laetitia combines ocean cooled hillsides, bottle fermented sparkling wine, and Pinot Noir led still wines from California's Central Coast.

Sources

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