A Paso Native with Wine in His Blood: An Interview with Direct to Consumer Manager Ryan McGuire

The Tablas Creek team is built on a foundation of people who truly love the culture of wine. For some, that love is discovered later in life, but for our new Direct to Consumer Manager, Ryan McGuire, it has been there since the beginning. As a Paso Robles native who grew up in the era of only two stoplights, Ryan has witnessed the transformation of this region firsthand.

Ryan’s path to Tablas Creek was paved by a deep family connection and a career that has spanned nearly two decades. After a brief start in IT support, he found his way into the vineyard and the tasting room, eventually realizing that his technical skills and hospitality instincts were a perfect match for wine club management. He often referred to Tablas Creek as his "hall pass" winery, the one place he would join in a heartbeat if the opportunity arose.

Today, Ryan oversees the collaboration between our wine club, online sales, and hospitality departments. I sat down with him to discuss his local roots, his family’s history with the Haas family, and why he doesn't mind the long commute to the Adelaida District.

Who are you?

I’m Ryan McGuire: a man of many hats! I’ve been in the wine industry for almost 20 years.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Paso Robles, back when there were only 2 stoplights and you had to go to San Luis Obispo to do any shopping.

Tell us a bit about your family.

I have a huge extended family, with over 40 first cousins! Family gatherings are chaos, and I love it. My wife and I recently welcomed our second child, a girl who is now a year old, and our son is three years old. We have two golden retrievers and 15 chickens.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Free time? What’s that? I have two small kids! When we do have a moment, my wife and I love hiking and camping and anything outdoorsy. We can’t wait to get back into backpacking once the kids are a bit older.

When and how did you get into wine?

My father worked in the wine industry, so I grew up around wine, wineries, and winemakers. He exposed me to so much wine and so many people growing up. It really made me want to be part of this industry.

When I finished school at Sonoma State, I came back home and had to get a job. I was a Vineyard Management intern for a year before ending up in the tasting room. I quickly grew from there and tried out many roles, moving from Wine Club management and Tasting Room Management before deciding I liked it all and ending up in DTC Management, which merges it all together.

How did you end up working at Tablas Creek?

I’ve always been a fan of Tablas Creek! My late father was a fan and worked with Jason and Bob Haas a bit back in the day. He always had Tablas Creek wine in the house and we were both club members and loved going to pick-up parties.

I have always held Tablas Creek up as an example of a winery doing things the right way. They have great wine, a good story, sustainable practices, and an excellent work environment. I used to joke that Tablas was my “Hall Pass” winery: if a job ever opened up, I’d take it without hesitation. Luckily, not only did a job open up, it was the perfect role for me! It was really perfect timing for me in my life and I’m so grateful to be here.

What do you enjoy most about working at Tablas Creek?

I love the drive. Before I started working here I was dreading the commute, but the drive is so peaceful. It really gives me time to wind up and down for the day. I work in a beautiful place.

If a genie said you could work at a winery anywhere in the world, where would you pick?

Australia, no question. I spent a year in Australia and almost didn’t leave. I love the people, the culture, the food, and the wine.

Best bottle of wine you ever had?

The experience of drinking wine is so dependent on who you are with and where you are in your life. Some of my favorite bottles of wine were nothing special, but were with great friends and great conversation.

But sharing a bottle of 2007 Saxum James Berry Vineyard with my family was definitely a highlight. The wine was high quality, for sure, but it was so much fun to experience the first 100 point wine in Paso Robles. As a participant in the growing Paso wine industry, it was really special to see the region get the recognition it deserved.

If you were stuck on an island what three things would you bring?

A solar powered kindle with all the books in my backlog, a sturdy knife, and a tarp.

Anything else you want to share with the Tablas Creek audience?

I’m looking forward to meeting our club members and fans!