Justin Salters is the founder of Hey Salty, a strategic communications firm specializing in public outreach and engagement for complex industrial projects and facilities. He and his wife, Emily, life in Downtown Bakersfield with their two daughters, Pierce and Ivy, and son, Kip. Justin has been a member of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield since September 2021.
Prayer: Clinton Trimmer
Flag: Sheryl Barbich
Song: Sarah Haggard and John Calanchini led us in a festive rendition of “Jingle Bells”
Greeter: Amy Travis
Roving Mic: Charlie Moe
Guests and Visiting Rotarians
New member Katie Thompson brought her colleague, Chris Niswonger, from Clinica Sierra Vista
Mike Willis introduced his guest, Katie McDaris of Sage Equities
Juan Bustamanta only had one guest: his colleague Randy Hernandez at Central Valley Property Advisors
Cathy Abernathy hosted Kern County Supervisor Jeff Flores
Sarah Haggard brought her colleague, Neil Meeks, from Deluge Consulting
Janelle Capra brought Chamber team member, Kimberly Price
Good News Announcements
Justin Leland’s guest, Stilian Kirov, shared the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra would hold its annual holiday concert on Friday, Dec. 5.
Sheryl Barbich announced the Kern County Museum was hosting its Holiday Lamplight Tour on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Pres. Jeff shared that John Schuyler had suffered a heart attack and was now recovering at home.
Dave Whelden reminded everyone that bell ringing for the Salvation Army is THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12.
Ben Taft recognized h for fixing the rattle in the heating and cooling ducts at the Bakersfield Museum of Art
New Members
We welcomed three new members to the club last week!
Justin Salters introduced Katie Thompson of Clinica Sierra Vista.
Jim Damian introduced Christina Springstead of Springstead Solutions.
Georgia Petropoulos introduced Kenny Spratt of TalentBase USA.
Program: Tlo Wines
Past President Justin Leland introduced our speaker for the day, Avery Zaninovich of Tlo Wines.
Avery shared the family story of how Tlo wines came to be Bakersfield’s only wine tasting room, taking us back nearly two decades to when her dad began experimenting with home winemaking in 2008, starting Zinfandel, Syrah, Cab and other Bordeaux varietals. When people thought Avery’s dad could actually make wine, the idea for the business took hold.
At that time, Avery was studying marketing at Cal Poly SLO, when an internship at Castoro Cellars in Paso Robles sparked her interest in the wine industry.
Things came together, and in 2010 Tlo Wines produced their first cab labeled for commercial sale. Tlo was one of the first tenants at Tin City in Paso Robles and continues to produce their wine there. The source fruit from some of the finest growers on the Central Coast.
Their wine room grew out of wine releases and tastings. After outgrowing her parents’ kitchen and then their backyard, they opened Bakersfield’s 1st and (still) only wine tasting room in November 2018.
Tlo is and intends to remain a boutique winery, producing 1,200 to 1,800 cases per year. They produce a rotating list of varietals (too many to put here… just not merlot) and four blends.
Reflecting the central role of family to Tlo, their signature Visko blend honors Avery’s grandfather, Visko. In fact, Avery shared that each generation of Zaninoviches has at least one “Visko.” Always a blend, the family developed a slightly different take each year. And, as we learned during Q&A, every percent counts.
Avery was super gracious to bring Visko out for allmost some of us to try before heading back to the office.
Tlo releases their wine three times per year, and wine club members are able to order in packs of 4 or 6 bottles. Wine club members also receive a 25% on all purchases and free tastings.
Asked what’s coming next? Avery shared that perhaps another tasting room on the Central Coast.
To learn more or taste or buy this delicious wine, check out https://tlowines.com/ or visit their tasting room in Downtown Bakersfield at 1212 18th Street, across from Sequoia Sandwich.
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