Stories from the Road- by Danielle Huber

Five months ago, long-time supporters of Tolosa and owners of Sheila’s Wine Bar and Restaurant in Camarillo, Pablo and Bertha Medina, visited Tolosa Winery.  Pablo and Bertha made quite an impression on me.

Now, I am not materialistic by any means, but what struck me was the generosity within the hearts of these warm and beautiful people.  Bertha, Pablo’s wife, was wearing the most attractive pave set ring with a lime green stone.  And I told her so! 

Before they left Tolosa’s tasting room, Bertha took the ring off her hand and put it on mine.  “If it fits,” she said, “you have to keep it.”  It did fit, and uneasily I kept it.  Who today pulls a ring off of their finger and hands it to you?!  “It will bring you luck!” both she and her exuberant husband told me. “Really??” I thought.  Still in disbelief, I could hardly imagine.

Well luck it brought…

Two weeks later, I was offered a position to sell full time with Tolosa Winery’s outside sales team in the South Central Coast. In my five year history at Tolosa, I couldn’t have dreamed up this role.  I was the tasting room girl and tour-guide on busy Saturdays.  I was the front door girl at the pickup parties…the one who carefully remembers our wine club members.  But outside sales for Tolosa?  Really?  Me? 

My new role for Tolosa is to leave my friends and seemingly “family” in the tasting room and be an ambassador on the streets.  Taking Tolosa to restaurants and stores NEAR YOU that may or may not know how amazing these wines are.  There is work to be done!  I couldn’t have had a better training ground…and I certainly couldn’t muster more enthusiasm for this unique brand!  Thank you to all who have known me along the way!

FULL CIRCLE:

Two days ago I visited Pablo and Bertha at Sheila’s Wine Bar in Camarillo…my newest restaurant account!  What a truly meaningful experience.

The moral of the story is that ordinary people can motivate one’s life in absolutely extraordinary ways.  The story of generosity doesn’t really end with Bertha Medina of Sheila’s Wine Bar.  I promise to write more from the road, so stay tuned.  But remember this…

Wine is the medium that bridges many hearts.  Be open to what it tells you.  And remember to pay it forward!

Updates from “The Road” soon…!

Best,
Danielle Huber

Danielle Huber

Central Coast Sales

Tolosa Winery