AHOY! Meet four Paso Personalities who share a passion for taking the helm on the open seas. Have a read and enjoy the journey Marc and Maggie, Katie, Gustavo, and Erik experience while gently sailing downwind with the cool waters sliding by the hull.

WINDWARD VINEYARD

What is your favorite place you have sailed and why? Marc and I were certified at the sailing school in  Marina Del Ray. We chartered a boat in the West Indies and sailed from Saint Vincent all the way down to Grenada. There were six of us on a Gulf Star 50 and we still have fond memories of the trip.

What is something essential you take on every sailing adventure? Well, the first essential, of course, is a case of Windward Vineyard Pinot Noir. Then safety equipment, and then an EPI RB and the second case of Windward Vineyard in case we have to wait for rescue.

How did you get into sailing?  Marc and I started our lifelong adventure and love of sailing while vacationing in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. It rivaled the love we found in each other, so the sailboat became part of a ménage à trois.

What is a must-have skill in order to sail?  Agility helps, but a love of nature and a profound appreciation for the majesty of her existence is required, as well as a constant state of equanimity. The Pinot Noir really helps with that.

What is one place you haven’t sailed but would love to? Marc says Tahiti and that doesn’t surprise me or anyone else. My choice would be the Greek Peloponnesus.

What is your favorite music to listen to while you sail? The sounds of nature, the wind in the sails, the hiss of the hull cutting through the seawater is music enough for both of us. But when we’re at an anchorage… eclectic mix of classical,  old jazz, Afro-Latin fusion, you name it. Just don’t name Barry Manilow or you’ll overnight in the dingy.  But our VERY, VERY favorite music on the boat is Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic”!

What is your go-to Paso Wine to open during or after sailing? I’m glad you asked! Our totally unbiased selection is Windward Vineyard Pinot Noir, which may surprise you. Don’t leave port without it! Can you guess how we arrived at naming our Vineyard in the Templeton Gap sub-appellation?…the ocean breezes blowing through the break in the Santa Lucia Mountains and our love of sailing!!

UNCORKED WINE TOURS

What is your favorite place you have sailed and why? My favorite place I have sailed is the Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands are near and dear to my heart because my husband and I actually moved there for 3 months. We lived and worked on sailing catamarans touring the islands with vacationers for a week at a time. It actually was similar to wine tours, but instead of visiting wineries, we were island hopping and drinking rum. The waters are teal blue and the weather is tropical and warm. You sail to islands that can only be visited by boat and have some of the best beach bars around.

What is something essential you take on every sailing adventure? A map is definitely one of the most important items we always take on sailing adventures. On the islands, we could scope out dive spots and figure out which island we were going to anchor at next. Good music, a good book, and cocktail ingredients are essential too. 😉

How did you get into sailing? When I first met my husband he had this crazy idea to move down to the Virgin Islands and charter catamarans for a living. Being an adventurer myself, I was intrigued by the crazy idea and we turned it into our reality. My husband got his captain’s license and we both got all of the certifications needed to run sailing yachts. We talk about our adventure in the islands all the time. It is one of those life-changing moments where you go out on a limb to try out a dream and live without regrets. We have no regrets for trying this out. We definitely realized we like to vacation down in the islands more than live there. We are very thankful we just did a sailing adventure at the beginning of 2020 with some great friends and fellow wine industry peeps before COVID hit.

What is a must-have skill in order to sail? You have to be flexible with changes in weather patterns as well as good at reading the wind direction. Also, being cool, calm, and collected at all times is very important to stay safe.

What is one place you haven’t sailed but would love to? Two bucket list places to sail would be Croatia and Greece.

What is your favorite music to listen to while you sail? I’m a lover of most types of music, but I would have to say when we sail in the Virgin Islands we tend to listen to a lot of reggae and Jimmy Buffet.

What’s your go-to Paso Wine to open during or after sailing? We were lucky enough to go down to the islands with Janell Dusi on our last trip. I would have to say any J Dusi wine since she has experienced the magic of sailing with us. Definitely the cool crisp J Dusi Pinot Grigio during the day when it is hot.

TABLAS CREEK VINEYARD

What is your favorite place you have sailed and why? The Caribbean. There’s really good sailing there. It’s a beautiful place to be, tons of great people, and lots of fellow sailors that are interested in the same things you are. Also, it’s something different from the sailing I grew up with on the Pacific coast/ocean; warmer waters and different views.

What is something essential you take on every sailing adventure? Honestly, PFDs [personal flotation devices]. If you’re in the Caribbean diving equipment is essential to take in the full experience. Of course, lots of beer and rum/tequila. Usually local brands. One that stands out from previous trips is Pampero a Venezuelan rum.

How did you get into sailing? Through friends and just being curious. A number of my friends in Chile learned with their parents and through them, I ended up participating in a number of races. When I moved to California I met more people who sailed and I continued sailing in Morro Bay.

What is a must-have skill in order to sail? Don’t get seasick!

What is one place you haven’t sailed but would love to? The South Pacific. Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, all of the islands.

What is your favorite music to listen to while you sail? Whatever the crew has on, because it’s super random. Most of the time I’m racing so we don’t listen to anything. Whatever the crew brings is best.

What’s your go-to Paso Wine to open during or after sailing? Anything Tablas Creek, but we mostly just drink beer.

VINEYARD WEALTH STRATEGIES

What is your favorite place you have sailed and why? When my wife and I honeymooned in France and Spain, I was able to do some sailing near St. Sebastian and sailed across the border of the two countries…such a memorable experience.

What is something essential you take on every sailing adventure? Good food and wine is such a big part of my life, I couldn’t imagine sailing without something creative to eat and drink after a day at work while enjoying a nice sunset sail.

How did you get into sailing? I’ve always been into it. I went to college in the Pacific Northwest and sailing is everywhere. I kind of taught myself how to sail at the local lake where students could rent sailboats for $2 a day. Then I started sailing with friends throughout the San Juan Islands. Later on, I took lessons and got keelboat certified in the San Francisco Bay.

What is a must-have skill in order to sail?  Sailing is a sport anyone can enjoy. I feel one of the key skills is to just be able to clock-out and relax. With so many things to think about during the day, this is your chance to take a pause and appreciate nature and physics at work together…it’s such a great feeling.

What is one place you haven’t sailed but would love to? One of my goals is to someday sail to Hawaii and back.

What is your favorite music to listen to while you sail? Jazz, all kinds of jazz. But lately, my 8-year-old son and I have been getting into some classic sea shanties.

What’s your go-to Paso Wine to open during or after sailing?  During the summer, a nice cool Sauvignon Blanc or Rosé is tough to beat. The rest of the year I’m definitely a Syrah guy…or Pinot…or Cab.