This is me, doing my job. Al least part of my job — the part that does not involve grapegrowing, winemaking, or the rest of the admin of running a business. I really like pouring our wines for friends, friends of friends and new acquaintances. It’s work, but it’s often pleasant work. Most of the time this part of the job does not suck. Sometimes it is a little better than others…
This past Wednesday I was in Houston for a meeting with business partners. Another reason to be there was an invitation from friends Norm and Susan Spalding to showcase Westwood at a special event at their home — a private showing of the Tesla Roadster. This is how the evening started: 
This is me just before my test drive in a beautiful fully-optioned new Tesla — thanks to Tesla representative Ross Rubman for bringing this $150,000 car to the event and patiently riding with and answering questions from all fifty or so guests.
The Roadster is an amazing car: I now have firsthand knowledge that it will do 0-60mph in under 4 seconds, has great brakes, corners flat at speed, and understeers just enough that the rear end won’t step out if you lift throttle or stomp it mid-turn — within reason. I wish I could spend days at the track with it, or every nice weekend morning for the rest of my life cruising the local twisties. Maybe even commuting.
But the Tesla Roadster is impractical as a grocery or kid hauler. Tesla addresses this need with their “S” model — for sedan? — scheduled for delivery in 2012. Still, the Roadster is an amazing car and I am thankful I had the opportunity to drive one, however briefly.
This was a universal sentiment among the other guests, judging from the looks on their faces when they got back from their drives. Nobody was allowed to drink before they drove, but I was waiting for them afterward with bottles of Westwood at the ready. It was my pleasure to be part of the Spalding’s impeccably casual hospitality. 
It was also a pleasure to meet my Texas A&M 1980 classmate and former two-time All-American and NFL All-Pro defensive end Jacob Green, who these days is fundraising for the University’s 12th Man Foundation. I had no idea those Super Bowl rings were so freaking big.
So there it was: Tesla and Westwood. Both low-production, high quality niche products. Just not to be used together.
by Samantha Dugan
14 Aug 2010 at 20:10
There are some truly fantastic perks about this business of ours. Now I’m no rock star winemaker or anything but even on my end; the dinners, the wines, the trips….where I get to hang out with rock star winemakers, (like yourself) the silly little crushes that people get when you “get” them and their palate. Love. I love it. Sounds like a great rip kid!
by John M. Kelly
14 Aug 2010 at 20:46
In the end (and at the beginning, and in the middle) it’s about the people you meet, and the hope that they feel something special, and the satisfaction that comes from being a part of that.
by Samantha Dugan
15 Aug 2010 at 16:51
Forgot to mention that I love the fact that you are drinking Belgian beer while pouring wine.
by John M. Kelly
16 Aug 2010 at 09:47
It’s unusual that I’m having anything with alcohol at all. I usually don’t when I’m pouring and schmoozing – except maybe an occasional sip of Fernet. But hey it was a private party.
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by Fun & Fundraising December 18, 2010 « notes from the winemaker
26 Nov 2010 at 13:49
[...] Back in August I was invited to pour Westwood wines at a private event in Houston, TX. Before we started pouring and sipping we drove the incredible Tesla Roadster 2.5 — thoroughly blown-away, I discussed the possibility of putting on a similar event in Sonoma with Tesla representative Ross Rubman. [...]