Hello, I’m Gabe the Goat and a few years ago I was hanging out in a very hot eastside Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard. The heat was scorching, however I had food for days and plenty of shade and water to balance it all out. It was perfectly fine for a goat and his friends. Right after nibbling on some tasty alfalfa, I heard a loud call from the Man, Farmer Jones, saying we were going to Cambria. It is a quaint little town filled with forest, nice people and the wonderful Pacific Ocean. Being on the hotter side of Paso can be tough, but the westside is a lot cooler since it is closer to the water. Getting to the coast and the memorable T in the road, it is a straight shoot down the 46 West. There is a stretch of beautiful vineyards and wineries and then beautiful mountains and ocean views of Morro Rock and the entire coastline. I’ve been to Cambria a few times before and the coolness soothed my soul and beautiful white and brown fur. I asked Mr. Jones why were we going this time? With a smile, but also a sad frown, he told me I was moving to another vineyard. It was bitter sweet. I’ve been with Mr. Jones for the past six years and even though it’s such a hot farm, we still get a wonderful breeze to cool us off at night. It’s the biggest diurnal shift in California due to the Pacific Ocean and Santa Lucia Mountains. This daily pattern makes a beautiful wine both on the west and eastside of the wine region. After getting my things together, I had to say goodbye to my friends Carl the Cow, Harriet the Horse, Ray the Rooster, Chelsey the Chicken and my brother Gary the Goat. I hollered Bbbbyyyyy to my other friends and hopped into what I call the baller.

“Alright Mr. Jones, let’s hit it!” I said to my boss. I have a luxury trailer with comfy seats, a great stereo and plenty of hay for me to dine in. I always travel in style and this was one of my favorite drives ever. Their were vineyards along the road non-stop and I always got to see some of my other friends waving when driving down the road. It was a weekday driving through the wineries on 46 so there wasn’t much traffic. I love Mr. Jones and this sweet trailer he got for us. After about an hour, we came into the one and only PCH and 46 T in the road where right is Cambria and left is one of the best drives of all time. You fly along the ocean by Cayucos, Morro Bay and into Los Osos or San Luis Obispo. Well right we went, and I could feel the astounding breeze and the distinct aroma of the ocean, so I knew we were close. Mr. Jones hollered and said we were going to see a buddy of his at a farm. His friend grows wine grapes with a bunch of farm animals like myself, so I got to get my mingle on. I was estatic. I get to live in Cambria and hang with some new homies. It was a dream that I forgot I had years ago.

I soon felt us slow down and after a few turns I had a feeling we were there. It was I think two o’clock from the sun’s placement and the first thing I heard was, “Here he comes.” It was an attempt for the animals to whisper to each other. They were trying to be stealth, but you know how animals can be loudmouths. The trailer door opened and it was the most beautiful vineyard and farm I had seen in sometime. Gosh that ocean breeze is incredible, I kept thinking. I could tell all my potential new friends were feeling good just by the smiles on their faces. Next thing I know this handsome strong man came to meet us at the pins. This was Rajat Parr, a world-class winemaker and restaurateur that moved to Cambria to explore the new SLO Coast AVA. The new AVA goes from just above San Simeon, which is north of Cambria, all the way south to the Arroyo Grande Valley in San Luis Obispo County. It is one of the coolest wine regions in the country, if not the coolest. Mr. Jones filled me in about the region and Raj they call him, when we were on our drive. Raj gave Mr. Jones a big hug and handshake. It seemed like they knew each other pretty well since they were just joking around the whole time. They must be ready to handle some business because Raj had out what looked like multiple wine brands with eight wines lined up perfectly. He had a magnum out too. Wow, what hospitality!

After a bunch of warm and amazing pets, Raj introduced me to his friends, soon to be my new friends. There was sheep, chickens, two dogs and a couple of birds that just hang around. After getting passed the awkwardness and light tension from their territory being invaded, things seemed to soften up. A lot of times these transfers go either extremely well or they create black sheeps and outcasts. I’ve been there before and it’s no fun. I had a good feeling about these guys because they seemed friendly once they loosened up a bit. So, as soon as they began to start sharing, they started showing me around their place. Wow, you could tell this place was manicured and perfectly ran. What passion and commitment Raj has to his farm and vineyards. Impressive and very special to see and feel. I started to get comfortable when they started talking about their vineyards and how they do this type of farming called regenerative farming. I was curious because Mr. Jones told me that it is an older philosophy that is being reintroduced more these days. It’s addressing the entire ecosystem of the land and vineyard, not just the vines and soil. It uses animals, cover crops and natural pesticide control to help restore and renew the land and environment increasing plant diversity and a healthy relationship with nature and people. It is quite complex for a goat to understand, so I recommend doing your own reading and finding out more detail about this practice that can also help with climate change. It takes sustainable and organic farming to the next level and ultimately takes deep care of the land for future generations. After my new friends showed me around, I new I had a great new family. As I looked over at Raj and Mr. Jones who were still tasting and laughing, they would go from serious face to more laughter. Mr. Jones looked like his mind was blown after each sip.

Now that I felt comfortable, I started looking around the farm on my own and all of the sudden I heard a “Hey there.” I looked up and this vine was trying to get my attention. She was gorgeous and very intriguing. She said “Hi, I’m Vivian the Vine.” “Hello” I said, “I am Gabe the Goat, nice to meet you.” We have talking vines on Mr. Jones’s properties, so it was nice to meet someone new. “What do you do for work Vivian?” I asked. “I supply the grapes. It isn’t hard work year round but once Spring hits, I am working all the way to August through October depending on the year. I get some nice rest after that.” “Sweet, I’m here for the weeds.” “Don’t worry, I won’t eat your berries.” “Ok good. A lot of your kind does, so I am relieved, thank you.” “Ok, I gotta run, so it has been a pleasure Vivian.” After being charged up by her presence, I trotted off and went back to see Mr. Jones and Raj and tell them I met Vivian. “What’s going on guys?” I asked the what looked like long lost friends. “Doing great! Just one more wine.” as Raj popped the magnum. “Welcome to Phelan Farm Gabe, we are happy to have you!”

“Would you like some of this Pinot Noir Gabe?” “Yes, please!” I quickly and graciously responded. Raj handed me a crystal wine glass and I I put it into my mouth. He poured the wine into the glass and I swirled it with my neck. “This is the 2022 Phelan Farm Pinot Noir.” Raj kindly stated. I had a trick where I flipped the glass in the air and the wine fell right into my mouth with the foot of the glass landing back into my mouth. It took me years to master, but I finally did and life got a lot better from there. After the first wine, Raj mentioned, “Here is what you missed. We have some Domaine de la Côte, Evening Land Vineyards and Sandhi you need to try. I made these wines so I could use some feedback.” I was thrilled. The Pinot was unreal so I was in. “Let’s do it, what’s next?” As I went through the line up I couldn’t spit this stuff it was so good, so I was definitely feeling the alcohol intake. Raj shut it down when I could barely speak anymore. This was the most pleasure I have ever had. The wines are some of the best in the world and Mr. Jones is not even on this level. “Thank you Raj, but where can I sleep, I’m done.” “Come with me, it’s right over here.” Raj had made me this incredible fort with pillows, blankets, hay, a lamp and a pair of wine glasses. There was even a wine fridge filled with all of his stuff so I was set up. “Good night Gabe. We are glad you are here. Get some rest and I will get you up at 4am.” I was in trouble. I haven’t had that much wine before, so how was I going to pull this off? Before I fell asleep, I heard Mr. Jones drive off so it was now official. Next thing I know my phone went off and it was time to get back to work.. The End

Farm Talk

SLO County is Ag

Train Ride to SLO