As first-time visitors to San Benito County, Susan and Todd Montgomery weren’t quite sure what to expect. But if their first full day of visiting is any indication, the pair will return home and extol the beauty of the area and the people who call it home.
The couple—members of the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association—is in town as part of San Benito County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors’ Bureau’s latest marketing campaign to promote tourism. They will take in the sights and sounds of San Benito County, along with fellow members Linda and Allan Kissam, highlighting hot spots on various websites and social media platforms.
With Chamber President Juli Vieira as their guide, the Montgomerys, who are from southern California, began their three-day tour of San Benito County on Sunday.
“We wouldn’t have come here if it wasn’t for IFWTWA,” Susan said. “We just wouldn’t have because we didn’t know anything about it. But I’m just overwhelmed so far.”
At Oils of Paicines, she sat down with owner Barbara Rever and heard the history of the 1,000-acre ranch while Todd snapped photos to share with their readers.
“Throughout the trip, we will post to Facebook and Twitter,” said Susan, who has a master’s degree in journalism and taught reporting techniques at the college level. “And it’s instantaneous. People have already been asking, ‘Where is Hollister?’ So word is getting out there.”
At the 600-acre Bar SZ Ranch, the Montgomery’s met owners Tim and Michelle Borland, toured the one-time stall of famous racehorse Doc Bar and saw the views that inspired artist Thomas Kinkade.
The first day of their trip concluded with visits to DeRose and Pieta Santa wineries, as well as dinner at Ridgemark Golf and Country Club.
“You have the natural beauty of the countryside that’s nothing like southern California,” Susan said. “It’s breathtaking. And (DeRose and Pietra Santa) are without a doubt just as good as Napa.”
Linda Kissam, who toured different areas Sunday, including the fairgrounds and Guerra and Calera wineries, agreed and said San Benito County offers a great product in its wines.
“This is an area that already has its own sense of taste and character,” she said. “I can only see it getting better. Everyone seems to be very friendly and it’s making good wine. Both wineries were different and the sense I got is they don’t feel they have to compare themselves or be a mini version of Napa or Monterey. You don’t have to be them. This area has its own character.”
Vieira said she is excited about the latest tourism campaign and hopes the caliber of writers brought in to review the area get people talking.
“The Cooking Ladies who were here (last weekend), I had put their pictures on social media beforehand,” Vieira said. “Every place we walked in to, I’d hear people whispering ‘I think those are the Cooking Ladies!’ People knew them before they even walked into the place. And I did the same for Linda and Sue.”
The promotional visit continued Monday with a walking tour of downtown Hollister establishments, Paine’s Restaurant, Tonascia Farms and dinner at Running Rooster. On Tuesday, the group planned to visit Lighthouse 55 Bakery, Marich Chocolate, Corbin, San Juan Oaks and B&R Farms. Before heading back to their homes in southern California, the group will complete the three-day tour Wednesday morning with breakfast at Vertigo Coffee.
The visitors’ tour will come to a close, but they all agreed: though this is their first visit to Hollister, they already know it will not be their last.
“I’m super impressed with the geography here and I think you’re on the cusp of really growing,” Todd Montgomery said. “You have committees now, volunteer committees who are dealing with bringing in people. You have a history of settlers here and the properties are kept up for the most part. There’s no reason why this couldn’t be—if it isn’t already—a destination. This area is on the cusp of really taking off. You can just sense it.”