"I Just Came in for Two Bottles of Wine!"

One particular Sunday afternoon, a few months back, began with an indoor tasting.  Bruce and I were visiting with a delightful couple when this darling gal and a younger gentleman came, literally, waltzing up our drive.

With a vivacious spirit and endearing smile, this gal goes on to explain that she had purchased our wine somewhere down in Southern California, to which Bruce immediately argued, "That's completely impossible...I don't distribute!"

She was insistent that she had purchased a bottle of our wine, and loved it so much that she and her son (the younger gentleman that was by her side) ventured off of the beaten path of their several hour long road trip, to come buy two bottles of wine.  A brief  and single wine stop, she reiterated!

Bruce begins to take her through a pouring, and before long, everyone was laughing and having a grand old time.

As it was nearing lunch time and there were just a handful of us, Bruce extended his warmest hospitality and invited everyone to stay for homemade, fire-grilled burgers.

(Have I ever mentioned how much I love my job???)

Now, if you've ever been to Hansen, say, on a given Sunday, and Bruce is in "that mood", a short stop can turn into a several hour visit, which is exactly what happened.  Before we knew it, closing time had rolled around and all of the same guests that had joined us for lunch were still with us.  Laughter, wine, conversation and new friendships ensued.

Our darling new friend kept reiterating "This is crazy!  I just came in for two bottles of wine, and I've been here ALL DAY!"

Flash forward a few months and just last weekend, this same adorable gal came bubbling through our front door.

"Hi Jen, do you remember me?" she questioned in her jubilant tone.  "You know, the one that came in for just two bottles of wine!"

Of course I remembered her!

After catching up for a couple of minutes, I ask if I can take her through a tasting, to which she reluctantly agrees to "just a few sips" as she has to drive home to Orange County.

"You're gunna think I'm crazy, but I can't stay long.  In fact, I just came in for two bottles of wine!"

"Famous last words," I say.

We laugh.

Enter a phone call on her business line.  She excuses herself.

Walking back into the Tasting Room, she has an impish grin on her face.  "I've got a question for you!" she says.  "Is there any way Bruce would allow a helicopter to land here?"

"Uh!" I fumble.  "I have NO idea, but I can ask!"

Long story short...a few hours later and THIS happened...

(Yes that's our darling friend greeting her dear associate in his private helicopter, and yes, she did end up staying until closing this day, as well!)

(And, in all actuality it was not one, but TWO helicopters, and eight new fabulous guests that, quite literally, dropped in for a tasting!!!)

Too much excitement for one day...and all thanks to our dear friend who, once again, just stopped in for two bottles of wine!




 

Welcome (Back) to the Playground!

I was chatting, a couple of weeks back, with a dear friend and colleague, Amy Griffith of Sextant Wines.  She made an incredible and insightful observation that I would like to share...

Amy had just returned from recent travels, and while in the airport waiting to board her next flight she witnessed a young child making friends with another youngster.  Her story went something like this...

I was enthralled with how uninhibited this child was.  No awkwardness.  No barriers.  The little one walked right up to the other, and before long they were running around together, without a care in the world.

We, as adults, have many inhibitions and reservations.  We tend to stick to ourselves and have really lost the art of connecting with other adults.

When we're out and about, we don't go out of our way to engage others.  At least not enough.

In a tasting room, however, we assimilate, as children once again.

Wine is our common denominator, our common topic, our common thread.

Inhibitions are gone.

We chat, we laugh, we engage.

Friendships are fostered, connections are made.

It's really quite beautiful.

Kind of like our adult playground.

I cannot tell you how many times I have witnessed this very phenomenon right here, at Hansen.  Sadly, however, I have never given it much thought.  Folks walk in and begin chatting with other guests, at the tasting bar.  At first it's about the wine.  Then topics turn...home, children, work, hobbies.  Laughter ensues.  Numbers are exchanged. Before long the spark of a friendship has been kindled.

I won't venture to say that this isolated to our industry, but I will say that wine certainly seems to be a unique elixir.  It's sophisticated, yet friendly.  It's intricate, yet an equalizer.  It's an educational experience, yet an escape.  And all-in-all it's BEST when enjoyed with others.

I left, that day, after talking with Amy, as though she had imparted quite a nugget of wisdom.  This truth made me smile and, once again, beam at the thought of how blessed I feel to be working right here, smack dab in the middle of the beautiful Paso Robles wine country.  After all, I like the idea of bringing folks together.  I like the idea of helping to foster an environment that brings people out of their introspective shells.  And most notably, I like to think that our very own "playground" has been the cornerstone for untold friendships, adventures, romances and more.

Cheers!



Amy Griffith, Director of Hospitality, humble philosopher and all around amazing gal can be found at the beautiful, new Sextant Wines tasting room, on the westside of Paso Robles.  If you haven't stopped in to experience their incredible "playground" please do so and let them know that Hansen Vineyards sent you! Find them on the web at www.sextantwines.com


Author, Jennifer Jansen, Winery Manager for Hansen Vineyards, can be found "pulling yard duty" at 5575 El Pomar Drive each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11-5.  If you have a story about connecting with others at Hansen (to be considered for a possible blog feature), please email Jennifer at jjansen@hansenwines.com