Monday, it was time to leave. But we had one last stop planned. Karen, Victor and I had plans to meet Shipwreck Bob at Tobin James Cellars.
Tobin James has the Easternmost tasting room on Highway 46, so it is a good place to visit when entering or leaving Paso Robles. We arrived there shortly before 10 AM, with Bob right behind us. The four of us who had started our tasting weekend at Turley were back together for one last time.
Tobin James makes an incredible lineup of wines at a variety of price points. In addition, they have the best club deal that I have seen. I am especially partial to their reserve Zinfandels.
We were met by Manager Monica Martin, who turned us over to Mo and Terri. They very capably walked us through the wines currently being poured, as well as a few extra treats. [I’m sure this was because we were such nice people, although I bet it didn’t hurt that Vic is the wine buyer at All Corked Up.] I left there with bottles of the Blue Moon Zinfandel and Blue Moon Syrah, the two wines that are not included in club shipments and which are typically outstanding. Bob left with his first winery club membership!
And, we were done. We said goodbye to Bob and headed East on the 46, dodging cloudbursts and the occasional jackknifed big rig, once again listening to old Beatles songs.
As I reflect over this series of posts, I realize that a reader might not realize why I have called this the Best Paso Trip Ever. After all, we really didn’t even visit that many wineries. And I didn’t write a lot, leaving most of it up to Bob’s exquisite pictures.
What made the trip so special were the people we were with and the experiences we shared. For instance, I felt a lot of excitement to be able to share with our friends the wines of J. Dusi, but was equally gratified when the Stahlys introduced us to Denner. But this is just an example and does not really do justice to this special time. Spending this weekend together with such wonderful people made an indelible impression.
The weekend represents a series of moments in time. Circumstances inevitably change, but memories persist. Robert Schwemmer has provided us with permanent memories of our time together, and I thank him for that, as well as thanking him and our friends Gloria, Larry, Heidi, Chuck, Vic and, of course my beautiful wife Karen for us being able to share this wonderful weekend together.
It has been said many times; I’m not sure who said it first.
Life is short; drink good wine.
And may I add: Drink it with good friends.
Michael Perlis provides outsourced controller services to businesses that do not need a full-time controller. He balances this with his interest in wine: reading and writing about it and, of course, drinking it. He is still trying to figure out how to combine these two pursuits. Feel free to contact him about either at mcpfinancial@aol.com or michaelthezinfan@aol.com. “It is common practice for wine industry workers, wine writers and winery club members [and members of their party] to receive complimentary tastings and discounted purchases. Unless it is otherwise noted, it should be presumed that this is the case.”
