THE PEOPLE

Tadzio Wellisz - Proprietor
Tadzio began his working career as a surgeon, and still holds faculty appointments at the University of Southern California in the departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Neurosurgery. More recently his interests in creating and problem solving lead him towards establishing several medical device companies. He recently introduced Ostene, to reduce the risks of bone wax infection after heart surgery. Tadzio’s education in wine began when he was 15, by which time he was hooked on (and spoiled by) Bordeaux’s first growths. With time, his tastes gravitated to the great wines of Burgundy.
Three years ago, his wife Nadia, and her father Selim Zilkha completed their acquisitions of two vineyards in the central coast of California. One of the two, Laetitia, located in the Arroyo Grande Valley appellation, includes 432 acres ofPinot Noir, some of it dating back to the

plantings of Maison Deutz in 1983. After tasting numerous barrel samples, and wandering the hilly vineyards, he laid claim to several small parcels of vines. Thus began his winemaking project and next career.
Pinot Noir, some of it dating back to the plantings of Maison Deutz in 1983. After tasting numerous barrel samples, and wandering the hilly vineyards, he laid claim to several small parcels of vines. Thus began his winemaking project and next career.
His goal is to make focused and distinctive wines that are true expressions of the unique terroir of each of the small parcels. With each successive vintage, he hopes to learn how to better coax the best aspects of what each parcel has to offer, and to capture that essence as purely and with as much finesse as possible.

Eric Hickey – Wine Maker
Eric is the winemaker and general manager at Laetitia Vineyard & Winery.
Eric began his career in the winery at age 16 as a part time cellar worker at Maison Deutz, alongside his father, Dave Hickey. There was no doubt in Eric’s mind that he wanted to pursue a career in winemaking. Upon completing school he accepted a full-time position at Maison Deutz and was promoted to the position of cellar master in 1994.
Over the next several years, Eric dedicated himself to learning as much as possible about wine production and grape growing. He credits much of his expertise to hands-on experience, and to the tutelage of Maison Deutz’s French winemaker, Christian Rougenant.

As Maison Deutz was transformed into Laetitia Winery and the focus shifted from sparkling wine to still wine, Eric studied under several French, Australian and American winemakers. To supplement his practical experience, he studied eonology through U.C. Davis extension coursework. He also made several trips to France, visiting Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Rhône Valley.
In May 2000, Eric was named winemaker at Laetitia. His leadership and winemaking skills earned him a promotion to head winemaker in January 2002. In September 2003, Eric was promoted to General Manager. His responsibilities cover all aspects of still wine production and vineyard operations. He believes in a strong link between vineyard and winery and feels that terroir and winemaking are equally important in achieving exceptional wine. “The expression from our vineyard is very distinct,” reflects Eric. “Our role is to maximize that expression with skillful winemaking, without compromising the special character of the vineyard.”

THE NAME

Malvolio
Malvolio, Countess Olivia’s sour steward, is one of the most recognizable characters from William Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night. Puritanical, joyless, moralistic, and intolerant of the pleasures of others, Malvolio is the ideal gull for practical jokes. One may want to consider the naming of this serious wine a continuation of the practical joke against the pompous steward Malvolio.

THE CREST

A Coat of Arms
The Polish coat of arms was originally granted to a valiant knight after fighting the Teutonic Order in 1331. The crest belongs to the family of Tadzio’s mother, who always encouraged him to follow his passion, and who died this past year.