THE MAGIC OF SERENDIPITY: DAOU and VINO JUAN

This was one of the most memorable days for all of us.  A story surely from fiction, but true and real.

More decor from our hotel, plus, outside, olive trees and olives.

Then, a short drive to Daou for Petite Sirah and lunch.

The surroundings were colorful and tranquil

With Linda and Joanne under an umbrella with a spectacular view of the vineyard.

These were the wines.  No Petit Sirah!

Our shared appetizers.

There was also a fish dish.  BUT NO PETITE SIRAH.

Then a walk through the grounds.

At this point, we had still not any tasting of Petite Sirah, and not even a grape on a vine. We then drove into downtown Paso Robles, walked around and had beer with mezcal and a beef taco.

Then came the magic of serendipity.  It would take a long story to get to the point of stumbling into a tasting room of Vino Juan.  Here is Juan himself doing the pouring, for the staff member who was supposed to be doing this got ill, and only he was available.  Most important of all, he produces Petite Sirah.  I was getting to think that this wine only existed in my mind.  We struck up a conversation that went on and on into close friendship.

Juan poured for all of us free samples of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Then a repeat of the Petite Sirah.  We all thought the Petite Sirah was best.

After more than an hour of drinking his wine, I lamented that I had not yet seen a grape on a vine.  Especially, I wanted to see Petite Sirah.  So he offered to take us to where he grew them.  Ah, Petite Sirah grapes.

So small and sweet.  Then Zinfandel.

Ground squirrels are a serious pest.

Then a tarantula experience.

You don't see me because I immediately went into the car.

Juan had informed the owner of this vineyard that we would be exploring his vineyard, so John drove down and invited us all to his home from some special reserve wines brewed by Juan.  He bought 325 acres, partially from Ignace Paderewski, in 1974, the famous pianist.  Here, Linda with John's wife of a few months, Sue.

Juan and John went down to the cellar and picked out two reserve wines more than a decade old, a Petite Sirah and a Cabernet Sauvignon.  Note that these have no labels, for they are special bottlings.  On tasting, Juan called someone on the phone that these wines were spectacular, and they indeed were.

Once called Rocco, this is now Pancake.

Knowing that we would be stopping by Opolo, John found his Opolo hat, and mentioned something about meeting us for lunch.

Today made my trip.  Came to Paso Robles primarily to taste Petite Sirah.  Not only got to drink the wine, but also ate the grapes.  We also made friends of Petite Sirah experts, Juan and John.  Tomorrow, on to Hearst Castle and more Petite Sirah.

To close, from the New York Times this morning, some fake imagery.

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