SLO YF&R Get a Taste of the County’s Largest Agriculture Industry
By Olivia Gonzales
Early in April, a group of 11 San Luis Obispo County Young Farmers and Ranchers (SLO YF&R) spent the day, in style, aboard a Central Coast Trolley while touring four Paso Robles wineries. Each stop featured a presentation on an aspect of the wine industry and a tasting.
Their first destination was Adelaida Cellars, where winemaker Terry Culton talked about the process of winemaking and gave a facilities tour. The group was treated to barrel tasting, complete with comparisons among different ages and types of barrels.
Next on the list was Tablas Creek Vineyards, where winemaker and vineyard manager Neil Collins talked about his organic grape-growing methods. This included the use of special mowers for weed removal, beneficial insects and eco-friendly frost control. The group learned that all of the vines on the property were cultivated from 40 original stocks imported from France.
Justin Vineyards and Winery was the next stop, where owner Debbie Baldwin spoke about the winery’s international sales and marketing successes. She said that with 50,000 cases produced each year and –more than 12,000 wine club members, the Baldwins are now focusing back on the quality of wine that originally made them famous.
Last on the tour was Opolo Vineyards, where owner Rick Quinn greeted the group with a great carne asada lunch, sponsored by the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance (PRWCA). Quinn described the importance of customer relations and great events, two of the cornerstones of his winery’s success. Cindy Newkirk, a PRWCA board member, met the group at this last stop to talk about the PRWCA’s involvement in promoting the Paso Robles appellation.
The SLO YF&R would like to thank all of the wineries involved, Central Coast Trolleys and the PRWCA for their sponsorship.