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Specialties
It all started with an extra six tons of grapes that a winery could not accept and process. Tobin (Toby) James, a lowly assistant winemaker at the time, asked the owner of the winery if he could have the grapes and make wine out of them for himself. The owner replied, «sure kid, knock yourself out». A year and a half later, gold medals began pouring in for Toby’s first Zinfandel, the 1985 «Blue Moon» Zin.
After making his wines at another local winery for a few years, and tasting and selling them out of a local wine shop in town, Toby finally took the plunge and built Tobin James Cellars in 1994.
Built from the ground up on the site of an old stagecoach stop, it might seem more natural to stroll into the old-fashioned western-style saloon, place your booted foot on the brass rail of the bar and order a shot of whiskey from the bartender. However, in the Tobin James tasting room, award winning wines are poured from behind the grand, antique 1860’s Brunswick mahogany bar from Blue Eye,
History
Established in 1985.
Toby’s own first vintage came about in 1987 when a local grape harvester showed up at the winery where he was Assistant Winemaker with six tons of Zinfandel grapes that he was willing to give away that were refused by another winery. Toby took the fruit, made his own first wine, and as the awards poured in, Tobin James Cellars was born. In 1993, Toby purchased 41 acres at the end of Union Road, the 10-mile stagecoach stop, where he built Tobin James Cellars.
In 1997 Lance and Claire Silver joined the winery and became co-owners. Lance’s business and wine marketing expertise have increased distribution so that Tobin James Cellars wines can now be found in many of the finest restaurants and wine shops. Lance is most proud of the fact that even though production has increased; the wines have gotten even better over the years. The winery does not submit wines for scores or reviews to insure that their wines are always available in the Tasting Room and to its loyal Wine Club.