Laetitia Winery History
Laetitia’s story began in 1982, when André Allier-Duetz of Champagne Deutz in France established Maison Deutz at our estate, drawn by growing conditions that reminded him of his homeland. Duetz also installed our two traditional Coquard presses, the only two in North America, that are still in use today!
In 1997, Jean-Claude Tardivat purchased the winery and named it after his daughter, Laetitia—meaning “Joy and Happiness”—launching the Laetitia wine label.
In 2024, long-time winemaker and general manager Eric Hickey, along with partners Ejnar Knudsen and Jeff Nicholson, purchased the estate. With their leadership, Laetitia celebrates a rich legacy while looking forward to the future, offering wines that capture the beauty, climate, and spirit of our estate on California’s Central Coast.
Traditional Sparkling Winemaking
Sparkling wine has been at the heart of Laetitia since the very beginning, and we remain dedicated to producing wines in the méthode champenoise, the traditional technique perfected in Champagne, France. Our process begins in the vineyard, where grapes are hand-harvested at the perfect balance of acidity and ripeness. From there, they are gently pressed using our Coquard press—a rare, traditional Champagne press designed to extract the highest quality juice with remarkable delicacy. This ensures that only the purest expression of fruit goes into our sparkling wines, capturing finesse and freshness from the very start.
After the primary fermentation, the wine is bottled with a small amount of yeast and sugar to initiate a second fermentation inside the bottle. Over time, this creates fine, persistent bubbles and the complex flavors that define our sparkling wines. Each bottle rests on the lees for an extended aging period, developing layers of texture and nuance. Our cellar team riddles the bottles, slowly turning them until the natural sediment collects for removal in a process called disgorgement.
The result is sparkling wine that embodies both artistry and patience—vibrant, elegant, and deeply tied to tradition. Every bottle of Laetitia sparkling wine reflects our history, our coastal terroir, and the meticulous care that goes into preserving this classic craft.
SIP Certified and Sustainable Farming
At Laetitia, sustainability isn’t just a philosophy—it’s a responsibility. Since 2008, we are proud to be a SIP Certified Vineyard, which stands for “Sustainability in Practice.” This rigorous certification program looks at every detail of how we grow and manage our vineyards. It’s not just about protecting the environment, but also about taking care of the people who work the land and the community around us.
Being SIP Certified means we prioritize soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity, ensuring that our vineyards thrive without compromising the natural resources of future generations. It also means fair treatment and respect for our vineyard team, providing safe working conditions and long-term stability. From cover crops that enrich the soil to careful water management and renewable energy initiatives, every decision we make is guided by the principle that great wine should be made responsibly. When you open a bottle of Laetitia, you’re tasting more than just a wine—you’re sharing in a commitment to sustainability that extends well beyond the vineyard.
Land Conservancy
One of the most unique and treasured aspects of Laetitia is that our estate is permanently protected by the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County. This designation means our vineyards and open spaces will remain safe from development, ensuring that this extraordinary landscape is preserved for generations to come.
Our 900+ acre estate provides vital habitat for countless species of plants and animals, from soaring birds of prey to deer, foxes, and native wildflowers. By protecting this land, we safeguard not only the natural beauty of the Central Coast but also the delicate ecosystems that depend on it. For our guests, it means that the sweeping views, rolling hills, and glimpses of wildlife you experience today will look the same decades from now.
