SLO NightWriters

“Mavens of Literature Have Way, Wending Words of Wines, Horses and Foods.”

NightWriters own merry maids of masterful wordsmithing, Susan Tuttle and Debra Davis Hinkle conquered new territory on Friday evening, May 14. Hastily invited (at their own expense, mind you) to sprinkle a few lines here and there throughout a night of fun and frolic, they engendered a surprise respect.

The event was the Per Bacco Cellars Fundraiser for Miller’s Equestrian Center and Sanctuary. After purchasing a ticket, Debra had spoken to Michelle Miller about NightWriters. The Board had decided to send Susan to the event in order to scout new territory for NightWriters to expand our influences into and network with the community.

Our lively ladies worked out a pact with Michelle Miller to have a reading between each course of Per Bacco wine and hors d’oeuvres (donated by Big Sky cafe and Mama’s Meatball). They would lace a loquacious litany of seemingly impromptu images with references to each new wine. And then, just for good measure, allusions to horses and foods were casually intertwined to the growing delight of the attendees.

As each new wine and food pairing, explained by Craig Shannon, Per Bacco’s Winemaker, enticed the assembly, so each successive reading would further enrapture them. A poignant play of elements eluding definition drew the participants into a closer tapestry of meaningful conversation throughout.

The evening became a sumptuous sensorial symphony of delights, each part of the equation leading into the synergy of the whole. From the first reading, which needed to compete with the hubbub of ongoing conversation, to the last few, when naught could be heard but the sonorous sound of Susan’s or Debra’s voice, a satisfying evening had been forged by and for all.

The production even had a wonderful soundtrack provided by the exquisite guitar artistry of Jeff Peters.  Film directors would vie for the rustic and cozy ambience of Per Bacco as a unique set for a good play: giant casks filled with wines huddled around the people like mute guardians; the huge barn doors spread open to allow for the backdrop of a warm sunset suffusing the Spring raiment of the trees.

As the last few stragglers disappeared into the star filled, fragrant night, it was wordlessly agreed that a wonderful adventure had been shared by all.

(Editor’s Note: Per Bacco wines can be purchased directly at the Per Bacco Cellars, 1850 Calle Joaquin (its at the end of the road) in SLO. www.perbaccocellars.com) Their wine tasting room is open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm are also available. For information: 787-0485. Don’t miss the Pinot Grigio, the Pinot Noir or the Zinfandel Passita. They’re a taste sensation you won’t ever forget!) Miller’s Equestrian Center and Sanctuary is a non=profit agency that rescues horses and provides riding lessons for those who can’t afford them. For more information, or to help out with donations, check their website:  www.millersecs.org)