Lynne and Dave Teckman, owners of Per Cazo Cellars.

Merger with Paso Port blends friendship & business

Per Cazo is Italian for “by chance” and that is exactly how the story of Per Cazo Cellars and Creekside Bed and Breakfast began.  But, you can be sure that Lynne and Dave Teckman have left nothing “to chance” in their quest to produce quality, award-winning boutique wines presented in a most affable, personal and friendly atmosphere.

Prior to their move to Paso Robles in 2009, the Teckmans lived in Minnesota for 15 years and it was during that time that they really began their love affair with wine. Visiting many of the great wine regions of the world, they had what they considered a decent wine cellar. They enjoyed wine trips with friends to Napa and Sonoma, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Tuscany and Bordeaux, often during harvest. They did what so many who love wine dream of: they helped on the sorting line, shared lunch with the pickers and became familiar with the actual workings of the wineries. They envied the lifestyle and knew they were ready for a new adventure – ready for their “second 50.” It was only a question of where they would end up and become winemakers.  With two adult children, one in Hong Kong, the other in Southern California, the couple was looking for a new place to call home.

The Teckmans’ first “per cazo” moment took place when they set out to visit the Santa Barbara wine country and, unable to find a place in or near Santa Barbara to stay, they looked at a map and noticed that Paso Robles was only “an inch” away. Having heard great things about Paso wines, they decided to give it a try. After arriving in Paso Robles and spending time meeting the people and tasting the wines of the area, they looked at one another and knew they had found their new home.

Wine, bed & breakfast

The Teckmans were fortunate to find a beautiful piece of property with a wonderful Spanish-style home, a comfortable inviting yard and even its own two-bedroom Bed and Breakfast. In addition to making wine, they soon became innkeepers as well! This was certainly NOT in their plans….but turned out to be another “per cazo” blessing and Creekside Bed & Breakfast has enjoyed a steady following.

Lynne and Dave soon met Steve and Lola Glossner and developed a personal and professional friendship that has flourished over the years. The Teckmans discussed their goals with Steve, a longtime Paso winemaker for several well-regarded Paso wineries, including his own award-winning port style label, Paso Port, and were thrilled when he agreed to be their lead winemaker for Per Cazo.

Lynne and Dave remain intimately involved with the entire winemaking process alongside Glossner. As the fruit evolves throughout the aging process, the character of each barrel dictates the exact wines that will be bottled at each vintage. Per Cazo produces 8-9 wines in small case lots due to the limited case production; some wines are allocated to wine club members only.

Not being farmers, the Teckmans have the advantage of contracting for grapes from various vineyards in the Paso Robles AVA. They are particular about the fruit they purchase, and able to take advantage of the best fruits the various micro climates offer, thus procuring exactly what they want with the different varietals they purchase.

Per Cazo merges with Paso Port

On November 1, 2013, the Teckmans and Glossners announced the merger of their two wineries and the relocation of the Per Cazo tasting room to its new location with Paso Port at 950 Booker Road, just off Hwy 46 West in Templeton. According to Dave, the merger will see the progression of three labels – Per Cazo for table wine, Paso Port for dessert wine and a new label for distilled spirits, expected to be rolling out in early 2014.

“The merger allows us to move forward, have greater volume and build off the success that we’ve had over the past six years,” Dave said. “We’ve been friends for a long time and now this larger enterprise allows us both more opportunities.”

At the tasting room, all Per Cazo wines are perfectly paired with cheese or chocolate and nuts. Per Cazo currently produces nine wines: seven reds, from Bordeaux to Rhone, single-variety and blends; Tres Blanc, a white wine that Lynne aptly describes as “the white wine for red wine drinkers” and a dessert wine. Per Cazo has received recognition and numerous awards during their short history, including Platinum in the San Diego International Wine competition for their 2009 Old Bailey Cabernet.

Production has increased from the initial 600 cases to 1600 cases for the current release: each vintage has sold out prior to the next being bottled.  All sales are made through the wine club, at the tasting room and online; there is no retail distribution.

The Wine Club (currently about 650 members) consists of two six-bottle shipments per year. Members can customize their shipment and are treated to a variety of perks including catered pick up parties, discounts at Creekside B and B and other special offers and events during the year.

For those wanting to linger in the area a bit longer, Creekside Bed and Breakfast, located on Vineyard Drive, is the perfect getaway and features two attractive and charming retreats. Be greeted upon arrival, enjoy a complimentary bottle of Per Cazo Cellars wine and wake up to a hot, delicious breakfast.

Per Cazo Cellars and Paso Port tasting room is located at 95 Booker Road, Templeton, Ca 93465 Contact them at (805) 227-4949, online at  percazocellars.com or by email LTeckman@percazocellars.com. Tasting room hours are Thurs-Mon 11 a.m.-5 p.m.