| We step out our hotel room and walk around the | | | | earlier. However, there is a certain etiquette when |
| corner and into the main lobby. There waiting for | | | | serving customers. |
| us was our tour guide "John" from The Wine | | | | We headed on our tour and tried to listen but |
| Wrangler Tours. John says" it is your lucky | | | | again our time there was completely ruined, all we |
| day"....."Normally I have a van full of people, but | | | | could think about was how uncalled for her |
| today its just you two". So it really was a private | | | | attitude was towards a person bring someone to |
| tour, we were thrilled. Noisy buses can be fun | | | | taste and purchase wine. The tasting room staff |
| during wine tours but we needed a break, so this | | | | person was the same person who took us on our |
| was a welcome surprise. | | | | guided tour, we were happy about that! |
| It never seemed like small talk with John, we hit it | | | | So let me be candid........I can not give Eberle |
| right off and began exchanging stories information | | | | Winery a bias review due to the overly gruff |
| and wine thoughts. John told us he was taking us | | | | staff member. This is sad because the tour was |
| to six wineries, Eberle, Bianchi, Rio Seco, Pear | | | | the only one we went on that had man made |
| Valley, Rotta and Four vines. He also told us he | | | | caves that naturally stay a certain temperature |
| had already picked up lunch and about half way | | | | year round. Honestly I just wanted to leave......this |
| through we would stop and have lunch. | | | | was sad. Not a great way to start a vacation or |
| We began the tour as John explained a little about | | | | a wine tour!!!! KD feeling the same way felt |
| himself, the region and some stories along the | | | | concerned as we were not off to a great start. |
| way. First stop Eberle Winery perched on a hill | | | | We went to the cash register to purchase the |
| with rolling hills, vineyards and country side as | | | | wine selected and I handed her our card. She |
| your back drop. Excited to begin tasting we | | | | read our card and I thought she was going to |
| jumped out and headed for the front door. Jon | | | | swallow her tongue. With a sort of sheepish grin |
| explained to us that Eberle was known for their | | | | she said "I hope I was fun" Not wanting to be |
| award winning wines. Outside the front door was | | | | rude I said "well, you were awake". We usually |
| the world famous boar ready to great us. | | | | hand our card to the person at the end of our |
| *The German name "Eberle" translates to "small | | | | tasting'. Then if they want they may give us an |
| boar." At Eberle Winery, a bronze boar greets | | | | industry discount, it there choice. |
| every guest who visits the Tasting Room. The | | | | We only purchased one bottle of wine that we |
| statue is the 93rd replica of the original bronze | | | | liked and we were just trying to ignore our rude |
| Porcellino cast by Tacca in 1620. And today, the | | | | staff member. I do not know how many times I |
| original can be found in the straw market in | | | | have said " Hello winery owners....Your tasting |
| Florence, Italy. It is considered good luck to rub | | | | room staff can make or break you". We |
| the boar's nose and toss a coin in the water | | | | purchased an average of 3 to 4 bottles at all of |
| below. All money collected at the Eberle boar | | | | the other wineries we visited that day. |
| fountain is donated to local children's charities. | | | | When we got outside we told our tour guide |
| {Copied from Eberle web site} | | | | "John" we were sorry for how the Eberle staff |
| We were excited to start our tour and | | | | member had treated him and thought it was |
| anticipating our first wine experience in Pasa | | | | inappropriate for her demeanor. John graciously |
| Robles. We opened the door to a commercial | | | | said " I know her somewhat and I guess |
| wine tasting room. John greeted the staff | | | | everyone is entitled to a bad day once and a |
| member and informed her we would like to also | | | | while.......... I am sure this winery has great wine and |
| take the tour of the caves. The tasting room | | | | will some day go back again to get the tour and |
| staff member said to John "John that is already | | | | experience from a happier staff member. You |
| assumed if you bring someone here to wine | | | | can find out more about the history and wine by |
| taste". She said this in a very condescending | | | | going to their web site... |
| manner! Do you know the music that is played in | | | | The wine we purchased was Eberle Reserve '03 |
| old Charlie Chaplin movies when he falls down or | | | | Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. After going to |
| slips and falls into the water. Sort of like WA WA | | | | their web site I found that Eberle will not have |
| WA WAAAAAAAAAAA. I thought what the | | | | another reserve wine for sale until 2012. Glad we |
| *^$%& was this person's problem. We have | | | | picked up a bottle. At the time of the tasting we |
| come all this way to go wine tasting and have a | | | | liked this wine a lot. We will review it in depth later |
| happy day and the first person we run into to is | | | | when we pair it with a meal. |
| someone who had sour grapes poured into her | | | | As a side note, the other five wineries provided |
| coffee mug! From that point on it was just very | | | | us with exceptional service! |
| awkward and we thought this tasting room staff | | | | We rate the Wine (Good) |
| member really ruined our experience at Eberle. | | | | We rated our tour of the winery experience............ |
| We went through the motion, tried the wine | | | | (Fair) That's being Kind |
| which I am sure I would have written about had | | | | Here are our Ratings: / Pass / Fair / OK / Good / |
| our tasting room staff member been more | | | | Great / Fantastic |
| courteous and professional. At one point I asked | | | | Disclaimer: Just because we like or dislike a wine |
| for some water to rinse out my glass to try | | | | does not mean that you will have the same |
| another vintage and she said "its right there" I said | | | | experience. Of course it is always worth a try....tell |
| "its empty". Seems she was not prepared to | | | | us what you think...........in other words post a |
| serve guests yet. It was almost comical! In | | | | comment!! |
| fairness they had mentioned the power was out | | | | |