| Not to far down the way from Bianchi's winery was | | | | purchased 4 bottles of wine to go home with us. It |
| Pear Valley winery and tasting room. As we drove up | | | | was just about time for lunch, and our gracious tour |
| a few things were really impressive. First, the "newly" | | | | guide "John had picked us up two box lunches of |
| constructed stoned faced winery and tasting room | | | | turkey sandwiches on croissant bread. We had lunch |
| just screamed class. The second thing that struck us | | | | outside on the patio and enjoyed the many views. |
| was the view. As we drove up we noticed the | | | | We began our lunch inside but it was so nice outside |
| winery was slightly elevated so this afforded you | | | | we wanted to take advantage of this unusually cool |
| views all the way around the valley. We got out of | | | | June in Paso Robles. |
| the tour van and headed inside. As we opened the | | | | Another group of about 8 were outside I believe |
| door to the tasting room we were meet by | | | | drinking a bottle of "Distraction" They had just come |
| Kathleen, we soon found out she was called K2 | | | | for a bottle of wine, a view and were really enjoying |
| because the "Owners" name was also Kathleen. | | | | themselves, obvious by their laughter "..." Makes you |
| Kathleen (K1) and her husband Tom Mass own this | | | | smile, good wine just seems to make everything |
| beautiful winery. | | | | better. Next time, we would like to meet the wine |
| Kathleen said "Hello John" and then John, our tour | | | | maker James, which we did not get a chance to do. |
| guide introduced us. One of the stories we were told | | | | We hear beside making wine he also plays a mean |
| along the way was how a lot of wineries in the area | | | | guitar. |
| had been bought out and the owners were long | | | | Of the six wineries we visited, this one was one of |
| gone and were now owned by conglomerates. John | | | | my favorites and I highly recommend you put this |
| told us this was a new winery that had just opened | | | | winery on your list to visit while in Paso Robles or |
| in march. He said what is neat about this and some | | | | visit them online at |
| of the other wineries in the area was that the | | | | The bottles that made it home with us from Pear |
| owners' were still there and you could meet and talk | | | | Valley winery were. |
| to them. | | | | - Pear Valley Cabernet Franc Reserve '04 Cost |
| That is exactly what we did, K2 (The tasting room | | | | $30.00 (I believe Sold out) |
| manager) began pouring samples for another small | | | | - Pear Valley Syrah Paso Robles '04 Cost around |
| group that had come in. The co-owner of the winery | | | | $20.00 |
| came out and introduced herself and began pouring | | | | - Pear Valley Merlot Paso Robles '04 Cost around |
| us samples of their wine and telling us about each | | | | $20.00 |
| one. We felt immediately very comfortable with | | | | - Pear Valley "Distraction" Paso Robles Bordeaux |
| Kathleen (K1) and never felt like we were being | | | | blend '06 around $40.00 |
| rushed or making small talk. Kathleen was very | | | | As a side note: the last thing we asked John our tour |
| personable and we enjoyed listening to her explain | | | | guide was if he was on the Pear Valley payroll. He |
| the story behind this beautiful winery. | | | | Told us "no" and then asked why? We said because |
| Kathleen (K1) began telling us the story, Kathleen said | | | | of the way we were welcomed you would think he |
| "when Tom was stationed in Germany in the late | | | | was getting a kick back. John laughed and said "no I |
| sixties, his Army Post was right in the middle of the | | | | don't think that is allowed, but now you know why I |
| German countryside and vineyards surrounded the | | | | brought you here"! |
| Post. We took this story to heart having also been | | | | - We will describe the wines wine more in depth as |
| stationed in Germany for twelve years ourselves.. | | | | we pair them with an entree in the future. |
| What an amazing dream come true that around 35 | | | | - We rate the Wine (Good) |
| years after a spark was kindled that it finally came to | | | | - We rated our experience...(Great) |
| fruition!!! Kathleen said "Tom so fell in love with that | | | | - Here are our Ratings: / Pass / Fair / OK / Good / |
| idea of starting a winery that he said "one day I will | | | | Great / Fantastic |
| own a winery". Hence you now know how this | | | | Disclaimer: Just because we like or dislike a wine or |
| winery started! To get how the winery was named | | | | winery does not mean that you will have the same |
| you will have to go to the winery and ask Tom or | | | | experience. Of course it is always worth a try, tell us |
| Kathleen! | | | | what you think! In other words post a comment!! |
| We exchanged a few more stories and then we | | | | |