An escape to a bygone way of life in a very current winery
We thought we all knew it when it came to extolling the value of wine : guided tours of a vineyard, open-air tastings, harmonies with tasting menus... even music festivals in which a Denomination of Origin was the excuse.
There are a thousand and one ways in which wine and its producers have known how to get ahead year after year, becoming more attractive to new audiences or keeping current before those of "lifetime". In California, the Alta Colina winery, located in Paso Robles –in the county of San Luis Obispo–, has decided to go a step further and give a twist to winemaking inventiveness, proposing a plan that, just in these times, is revealed as a perfect alternative to carry out outdoor activities . And with friends.
Under the name of Trailer Pond, the Alta Colina winery and its 130 hectares of organic vineyards transport its visitors in a time machine that takes them back to the 50's and 60's , when life was a little simpler or, at least, lived more slowly. It does so on top of a hill, where its vineyards are located and overlooking the Paso Robles wine country, with five vintage Tinker Tin company trailers bordering a pond.
the name of the caravans comes from Tinkerbell , taking inspiration from Peter Pan's 1950s fairy. "Tinker Bell was sassy and had attitude, always living life her way and with adventure and fun to boot. Our Tinker Tins take the people who inhabit them into the wild , to the roots of the history of the United States, to nature, to life outdoors... and to cook on a campfire or to admire the stars", explain its creators on their website.
The plan between wines and caravans is ideal, but we must bear in mind that, after all, we are talking about camping. "You will meet nature, with a bit of dust and without the hotel amenities or a state-of-the-art caravan. There is no air conditioning, heating or bathrooms inside them, but we avoid modernizing them because we believe in the importance of respecting history and simple life", declare those responsible for Trailer Pond, Bob Tillaman and his daughter Maggie . Both are always present in the premises of Alta Colina, pending and in charge of the production of each of the wines that are later launched on the market and that receive guests in the caravans, equipped with a bed for two people, cooler, coffee maker, sheets and bedding ; as well as barbecue, cooking plate, kitchen utensils and a communal table for twelve people.
The winery, in addition to private tours and tastings –Alta Colina is known for its syrahs and white rhones–, offers yoga , massages in the middle of the vineyards, cinema outdoors and the opportunity to hire the chef of the house, Michael Zimmerle, to prepare a brunch or dinner with local products.
You will be alone? Not exactly, for what is sought, in addition to having a personalized experience with the winery's wines, is that a community is also created. So count on that you will have neighbors with whom to create friendship, since you will share with them a pond, camp and bathrooms. Back in the 50s or 60s these trailers did not have bathrooms inside, but right next to the pond you will find a complete service with an outdoor shower, sink and mirror. Then, a short walk away, there is another bathroom with a shower and hot water, just inside the barn.
To get here you can do it in your own car, driving a few 8 kilometers down a dirt road , with potholes and brushing against cliffs, so if you don't like driving, you can hire a service that takes you directly to the door of your caravan.
Trailer Pond does not accept children (they come here to drink after all) or dogs, but they love animals here, so when you arrive, it will be waiting for you Honey, a lovable and friendly English Shepherd who lives on the property. Plan, right?