Tobin James Cellars is one winery where we don’t really want to talk about the wine (and we don’t mean that in a bad way) because there is something much bigger at work here. Every single business on the planet would love to have what Tobin has going on!! What is it??
A big clue: Tobin and his “Gang” have created a once in a lifetime experience for his customers. We keep hearing that they have the largest wine club in the U.S. and have heard numbers ranging from 20,000 to 26,000…that’s just astonishing!!
Here’s an example witnessed firsthand by us, and this wasn’t the first time this has happened when we’ve visited: we showed up at 10:05 am; they open at 10:00 am, and there were already four people in the tasting room…but get this, by 10:20 am Hoot counted roughly 56 people…56 PEOPLE?!?!
Amazing!! Hats off to Tobin James Cellars…they absolutely have the “engagement” factor down!!!
Now, to the wines…they have a big list in the tasting room and a few of them stand out, but the better stuff is their Reserve line…in our humble opinion. The nice thing about the tasting room menu is that it is extensive and everyone is sure to find something they dig!
We are looking to do a more extensive article on Tobin, more directed at what they have created rather than the wine…truly an amazing thing to witness!!
Here’s a look at the party going on inside:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDjWLAz5JsM[/youtube]
And here’s a look at what they’ve got going on outside:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izTvbT3WuXc[/youtube]
Other HnA posts on Tobin James:
At Home with Toby’s Chardonnay
Nice winery, We love Tobin James, I wear his logo star on my jean jacket. We’ve met him when he was in OC, nice guy. I cancelled membership but will add him back in the fall (hope I have a job by then). Cheers!~
Tobin James is where it’s at! We have a great time every time we go through those doors. Great club deal, too! Good luck, Bev!!! We’re crossing our fingers for you over here!
Thanks Annie, looking at all avenues. It was such a beautiful warm day yesterday we had our Portonic….cool and refreshing. Have a great Winesday! 🙂
Woohooo, Bev! Portonic! Supposed to be another warm one today, too. Enjoy! xoxo
The ‘Little House’, I believe is part of their B&B. Not sure how many rooms they have, but that’s another thing he has going as well.
We’re members, and love our specialty wines that come in our shipment, and u can’t beat the price point. But…
twice a year, when the shipments come, we’re typically in Paso, or not around, and it’s usually very hot in LA. Their membership count is SO massive, they won’t hold any shipments. We’ve had a couple sitting on a UPS truck overnight. NOT GOOD….(in the heat), and this has us considering cancelling our membership 🙁 Kind of stresses me out having to lose an entire day, waiting around for the UPS 8am-4pm “window” of delivery, because you have to sign for this ‘package’! We’ll see… It will be a diffcult decision, indeed!
~xoMomo
Momo, I think you should do 1 of 2 things: Either move to Paso so you can go pick up your shipment and taste wine…or move to Paso so you can go taste wine and pick up your shipment! 😉
A visit to Tobin James is always a “Hoot”. Especially if Toby is there.
We’ve chatted with Toby a couple of times, he’s a very cool cat. Would love to interview him, too!
My company allowed me to have my wine clubs delivered there, that made it nice, because everyone wanted to see what I got from Tobin James…good marketing because I had a few ‘ee’s sign up… 🙂
That’s a great idea, Bev! Makes it so much easier than waiting around for the UPS guy to show up…plus, if you get thirsty at work you’re covered!
I think you should interview Tobin, he’d love that.
We’re working on it, Bev! A little friendly stalking is okay, right?
LOVE LOVE LOVE Tobin James! Thanks for giving them a shout out. Im a wine club member and BENZ wine shop in Cedar Rapids is the exclusive carrier of it in Iowa (yes, we know good wine out here…..) : ) It’s such as easy sell for us – great wine at a great price point. Every time i’m back home in CA I make a stop out there. The FAT BOY Zin is my absolute fav. Now I’m thirsty…… Love getting your Paso highlights out here in the Midwest! Cheers! Julie
Julie! How very cool that you get Tobin James right out there in the middle! I bet you sell the hell out of it there, especially being able to talk about it from experience. Thanks for watching…we appreciate it! Get yourself something to quench that thirst, quick!!!
We’ve been fans of Tobin James a long time. It is absolutely Barry’s favorite winery and every time we have brought friends to Paso Robles, we always take them to TJ, not only for the wine, but like you said, for the whole experience. It’s just plain fun! Many happy memories there.
YES! That’s the whole gig at Tobin…is that people come for the whole experience, and they’ve really got it down! That’s very cool, Xochitl! Let us know next time you’re headed up and we’ll try to meet you guys there!
If you want to talk to Toby just stake out a cute girl, and stand by with a net.
Hahaha, very funny, Gary…wait, that just might work!!!
This past Fall, twelve Montana Grizzly fans visited Tobin James winery. You are so right, Annie! This winery is an absolute “must” for short-time visitors. Toby took us in the “back”, and Mo kept us tasting and toasting at the front bar. Thanks for adding this to your beautiful and informative blog. I’ve shared your blog with the Montanans! Go Griz!!
I’m sure you Grizzly fans stirred the place up a bit! Those barrel tastings in the back can be a good time…especially when Toby is involved! Say hi to Montana for us!!! Go Griz! Grrrr
My brother and sister-in-law made it their first stop on their honeymoon wine tasting tour in Paso and had a blast!! I’m still getting served Tobin James’ wine when I go over for dinner. Looks like a really fun stop, if not overly serious!
Hey Scott! It definitely is a fun stop…and far from serious! You feel like you’re walking into a saloon in the Old West, and they really know how to sling wine. Lucky you to get TJ wine served up! Cheers to that!!!
Annie, I just discovered your site, you guys rock. I guess we are doing something right. Are moto is make good wine, have fun, and be nice to people. Oh yea, we have a strict drug policy, you share, if you have extra. You cant buy personality you have or you don’t and my employees have it. Thank you for the kind words and enjoying our wines. Everyone is always welcome and I hope Im in the tasting when your gang shows up. Vintage wishes, Tobin James
Hey Tobin! Thanks for stoppin’ by! We love the motto and try to follow a similar one ourselves, except we don’t make wine so we have to settle for drinking good wine! We love the place and try to get in as often as possible, which isn’t often enough. We’ll keep an eye out for you next time we’re around and be sure to say hello! Cheers!!!
Cool Annie, Tobin James found your blog. To update since they have fantastic customer service they had called me to see if I still wanted to be on their cancelled list because I still haven’t found a job, which I had cancelled all my wine clubs but since they called me (I had only missed one shipment) I told her YES since you called to remind me I will resubmit my membership and I am so glad I did we love his wine, its the best. Even though we go through it so fast, we can’t wait for the fall shipment, it’s the best.
Hey Bev! That’s awesome that you’re back in the TJ club! It’s definitely one of the best around…so enjoy! I think their employees have always had great customer service, and obviously that comes through to you too. Happy Friday, Bev…make it a great one!
Thanks Annie, drinking a glass of J.Lohr Cab, another good wine, and a visit to their winery someday. Have a super week-end. Cheers!