Interviews

Alan Hayashi: Farmer
Y. Hayashi & Sons

In San Luis Obispo, there’s a local family whose Japanese roots have been firmly planted on the California Central Coast for more than 100 years. Once you get to know this SLO CAL family, we’re sure you’ll want to shop Y. Hayashi & Sons at their Oceano fruit stand and farmers’ markets throughout SLO CAL all year long. 

Interview for Visit SLO CAL.

Helen Abraha & Martha Taezaz: Owners/Chefs
Ebony Restaurant

In San Luis Obispo, Ebony isn’t just a color or a type of hardwood. It’s a fresh flavor from a world away. Chefs Helen Abraha & Martha Taezaz, along with their two silent partners, are the culinary masterminds bringing traditional comfort cuisine from the Horn of Africa all the way to SLO CAL.

Interview for Visit SLO CAL.

Donnie Monroe: Owner/Baker
Hush Harbor artisan Bakery & Cafe

Owners Donnie and Penny Monroe run Hush Harbor Bakery and Cafe in Atascadero with their children and have been making freshly baked rolls, loaves, and more on the Central Coast for more than two decades. “It’s been 22 years,” says Donnie. But his passion for pastry was ignited long before. For the Monroes, bread is life. And it’s a family affair.

Interview for Visit SLO CAL.

Raymond Smith: Owner/Winemaker
Indigene Cellars

Raymond Smith knows wine. A transplant from Oakland, he graduated from college in 1989 with a degree in mass communications and followed friends to the California Central Coast in pursuit of a job. But a quick detour into an entry-level position at a winery changed the course of his life forever.

Interview for Visit SLO CAL.

Dieter Cronje: Winemaker

Presqu’ile winery

Dieter Cronje is the founding winemaker at Presqu’ile Winery, a family-owned 73-acre estate vineyard & winery located in the Santa Maria Valley. Get the scoop on how a journey that began in Cape Town, South Africa, led him to become a rising star in the world of Central Coast winemaking in this interview for the Breakaway Tours & Event Planning Deep Thoughts blog.

Nicole Bertotti-Pope: Winemaker
Stolo Family Vineyards

Stolo Family Vineyards is the only estate winery and vineyard in Cambria and the surrounding area. Located just 3 miles east of the Pacific Ocean, Stolo uses the ideal cool-climate growing conditions to produce award-winning wines. Nicole has been winemaking for 12 years and is now leading the charge.

Written for Breakaway Tours & Event Planning

Dave McGee: Owner/Winemaker

Monochrome Wines

There are hundreds of great California wineries known for their red wines, but Monochrome Wines is one of the few to devote all of their attention, effort, and passion exclusively to whites.  Dave McGee shares a bit about why he loves white wine and what it takes to stand out in Paso Robles wine country in this Deep Thoughts exclusive for Breakaway Tours & Event Planning.

Alexandra Wallace: photographer, Magazine editor

Alexandra Wallace is a freelance editorial photographer known for her work in fashion and bridal photography. She is also the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Coyote + Oak magazine and editor at The Wedding Standard magazine. 

tulsi bagnoli: Spiritual teacher & Astrologer

Tulsi Bagnoli is a writer, astrologer, and teacher of Transcendental Meditation. We get to know her as she embarks on a brand new chapter of her life as a spiritual practitioner and businesswoman.