He knows how and why he was branded as "Taz" (short for Tasmanian devil) - a sort of whirling dervish in the vineyards. When he first heard it, he wasn't really sure he liked it. Wreaking havoc during quick visits to the Central Coast, leaving long lists of often contrary instructions for vineyard managers, isn't the obvious way to build a large fan club. But it was effective. Extraordinary vineyards appeared in Santa Maria, Los Alamos and in the Santa Rita Hills. The fan club grew large, and it included fellow growers and other winery owners.

For nearly 40 harvests his comfort zone has been deep in the vineyards, jumping out of trucks and off tractors to make notes in a small, well-stuffed notebook that carries as many questions as answers. A winegrower who is a seeker of truths from the sun and the soil is the most valuable partner a winemaker can have. A legend first in Napa, but just as well-known and beloved in Santa Barbara, many credit him with a singular dedication to quality that helped make the Central Coast one of the most promising wine regions in California. "It's easy to work closely with people you understand," Bob often says, "and friendships don't always have to develop. But it's nice when they do."

"Taz" Steinhauer joined Beringer in 1979 with nearly a decade of vineyard management already under his belt. Farming was a family affair, working a raisin vineyard passed from grandfather to father and one day, on to the next generation. He found that collaboration with winemakers led to a close working style that he will continue with TAZ winemaker Natasha Boffman.

Bob has been active in industry associations for as long as he can remember. He currently serves on the boards of the California Wine Institute and the Napa Valley Vintners' Association, and in 2001 was appointed by Governor Gray Davis to serve on the State of California's Pierce's Disease/glassy-winged sharpshooter board and the list goes on. But as Senior Vice President of Vineyard Operations for Beringer Blass Wine Estates, his dream job truly developed when he began focusing exclusively on Beringer's reserve Napa Valley vineyards, along with overseeing TAZ vineyards on the Central Coast in 2003.

Bob Steinhauer won't mind a legacy because the wines are good. With "Taz" in the vineyards, it's simply not thinkable that TAZ wines could be anything other than consistently memorable.

"Taz" Steinhauer just wants to be known as a good farmer, and a good friend.