Meet Paso Creatives Author Brigit Binns and Actor Casey Biggs

Today I am delighted to interview two of Paso’s favorite residents, Brigit Binns and Casey Biggs. Brigit and Casey are a dynamic duo blending creativity, passion, and artistry into every aspect of their lives. Brigit is a celebrated author, and Casey, an actor who has appeared in over eighty film, television and stage productions, including Cardassian Damar, on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Locally he is best known for his iconic role as the “Paso Wine Man,” who embodied the vibrant spirit of our region. Their shared love of food, wine, and entertaining makes them the ultimate Paso Power Couple, inspiring locals and visitors alike with their talent and charm. Join me as we delve into their story—a tale of collaboration, creativity, and the magic of life in Paso Robles. I am so happy for you to Meet Paso Creatives Author Brigit Binns and Actor Casey Biggs.

Meet Paso Creatives Author Brigit Binns, and Actor Casey Biggs.

Both: Please share your story with us. How did you two cross paths and how did you finally land in the Paso Robles area?

CB: I met Brigit at the Circle Bar on Main Street in Santa Monica. I had just finished shooting an episode of X Files and one of the extras on the shoot said he was bouncing at the bar that night and did I want to stop by. Always up for a chilled adult beverage at the time I said “Of course!”. There she was, sitting two down from me at the bar. We started to chat. She asked me what I did for a living. She was profoundly unimpressed when I told her I was an actor. I asked her what she did. She “wrote cookbooks,” she said. It was the sexiest thing I had ever heard!

Jump cut to eight years later after getting married in Tuscany we moved to upstate New York. After a few years of bliss for me, Brigit revealed that she didn’t love it there. She’d sold her book “The New Wine Country Cookbook” about the wine country on the Central Coast, and so we ended up in Paso. A place Brigit has described in that book as” Tuscany with cowboys.”

BB: Casey tells the story of our meeting so well that I literally have nothing to add. Except that I WAS impressed—with his uber-cool Matrix-style overcoat on that momentous night at the Circle Bar. 

Paso Creatives Author Brigit Binns and Actor Casey Biggs

Both: You’ve enjoyed career paths that have led you to the spotlight, whether it be on the Today Show, through your published books and cookbooks, and even appearing on Star Trek. Give us a glimpse into the world of entertainment – what has surprised you the most?

CB: Asking for a “glimpse into the world of entertainment” deserves an entire book in itself! But as far as being an actor and director, the best part of how the industry operates today is that I do not have to be in New York or Los Angeles in order to get work.

Nearly all casting is done remotely, and I can compete right from my own home. Producers interested in me send me material that I put on tape with the assistance of my supremely talented wife, send it to them and they either hire me or not. Most of the time I prefer “not” since then I don’t have to leave home and disrupt our terrific life!

BB: I always have a blast reading opposite Casey for his taped auditions. I put on what I imagine to be the correct voice and emotion of the character(s) in the script, even though no one will remotely care. For myself, one big surprise was the absolute intense and debilitating fear I felt before going on The Today Show (it’s LIVE) the first time. By my third appearance, I was less nervous. Luckily our friend Linda Ellerbee—no stranger to Live TV—insisted on hiring a car for me in the early morning after she discovered that the show would not be providing one. She even made a cameo appearance on my segment, and my book went through the roof—for a week or so, anyway.

Meet Paso Creatives Author Brigit Binns, and Actor Casey Biggs.

Casey: Share with us the driving force behind becoming an actor and any tips for someone looking to make that a career. 

The driving force of being an actor for me was the desire to be a storyteller and to have an effect in society. Having gone to The Juilliard School, training with the best and being privileged to breathe rarified air I was given that opportunity. When I was younger, I wasn’t driven to become a “star.” I just wanted to be good and to work with the best people around. Fortunately, I was able to do that. As for tips about how you create a career, I would say first to get training! Acting, like any other art, is a craft. Learn your craft. Seek out like-minded people to create community. And never wait for someone else to give you permission to practice your craft.

Casey: Paso Wine Man – tell us about your love of wine, music, and animals. 

As for the Paso Wine Man phenomenon…I was fortunate in that the timing was perfect to be allowed to engage in the wine industry of Paso by being the face of Paso wine for a number of years. We came up with a unique concept that hadn’t been done before that helped catapult the Paso wine brand worldwide. I feel very honored and proud to have helped facilitate that. Being a hedonist at heart, wine, music and food is more than worth living for! As for favorite wines be it winter, summer or fall, one never needs to stray far from Paso Robles wine to be satisfied! Nearly every grape varietal can be grown here and we have some of the most talented winemakers in the world right in our own backyard. Personal favorites include Grenache, GSM of course, Petit Syrah…Pinot Noir and a plethora of great whites and a perfectly dry rose…let’s just say it’s hard to have a bad wine experience here!

Paso Creatives Author Brigit Binns and Actor Casey Biggs

Brigit: When did you know you wanted to be a writer/author and how do you continue to find inspiration for your projects?

I think I knew sometime in college that I wanted to be a writer. I had been a ridiculously avid reader as an only child, reading under the covers with a flashlight starting at around 11 years old. I started college as a drama major, but gave it up after the first term. My dad, an actor himself, always discouraged me from following in his footsteps. “You have many talents, BB, but acting is not one of them.” It didn’t take me long to understand that I could make an impact without showing my face, but rather by showing my heart. 

Brigit: You started with cookbooks (most of our readers likely have at least one of yours from Williams Sonoma), or your wonderful Paso Wine Country Cookbook. Now you have published a memoir. Tell us about this transition. Will you continue to pursue new avenues with your writing?

After publishing about 30 cookbooks—on some, I was co-author, with a chef—and developing around 400 recipes for Weber Grills, I started to feel like a recipe-generating MACHINE. I knew I was good, but I was bored. In 2009 in Marfa, Texas I’d started something that would later become the memoir on a month-long creative sabbatical. But the heater in my bungalow kept making clanking noises, and I became convinced that the Texas Chainsaw Massacre was about to be repeated in my kitchen. I got 10 measly pages done, packed all the notes into a Walmart shoebox and didn’t take them out again until May of 2020. The pandemic became my passport to productive writing. Now? I’m embarking on a novel? Why not? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

Meet Paso Creatives Author Brigit Binns and Actor Casey Biggs

Brigit: For any of our readers here who haven’t had a chance to check out the honorable memoir, “Rottenkid: A Succulent Story of Survival,” from Sibylline Press, give us a few interesting facts about the story and what prompted you to write it. 

I grew up with a silver spoon in my mouth and a knife in my back. My father was an actor, rarely around. My mother was—I understand now—a classic narcissist who saw me as a competitor. On the outside, it seemed like a privileged existence. On the inside, I was emotionally neglected and publicly saddled with the lifelong moniker “Rottenkid.” I felt that if my story—never writing as a victim, but rather from a place of resilience—could help anyone from any walk of life to come to terms with a similar childhood, then my book had earned its raison d’être.

“A brave, delicious, and often darkly funny tale of growing up in the Hollywood of the 60s and 70s, Rottenkid is Brigit’s story of breaking free from parental disapproval and finding herself. I loved reading this deftly crafted, insightful memoir by my childhood friend.”

—Cecilia Peck, Emmy-nominated filmmaker; daughter of Gregory Peck

Both: Style tips! How would you describe your day-to-day style? What are some of your favorite fashion brands and why?

CB: As for Style tips…for me personally I prefer a casual elegance…all the way around from the way I dress to the place I live in to the events we create. Fashion brands would include Faconnable, Patrick James, Ralph Lauren and just about anything I buy in Florence!

BB: I grew up mostly aspiring to Woodstock-style, even though I was too young to have been there. On Wall Street I wore Peter-pan collars with one of my two Burlington Coat Factory suits. After ten years living in Europe, I realized it would not be surrendering to conservatism if I cultivated my own body-conscious, quietly elegant style. That’s not to say that I’ve never had a massive miss-fire. The Wallabies and cords I wore in Mainland China come to mind. These days I often look as if I wandered out of a Frank & Eileen catalogue. 

Both: Name five staple wardrobe pieces you can’t live without. 

CB: Staple wardrobe pieces. Two great Harris tweed sports coats. A couple of pairs of Wrangler jeans, very comfy tee shirts, as many linen shirts and pants as your budget allows and blue suede shoes!

BB: I couldn’t live without Avenue Montaigne trousers, Yummie leggings, Hardtail yoga pants and cute sweatshirts, and Intimissimi tops. Recently I’ve become enamored of the Italian brand Falconeri, especially my new white linen-blend blazer. 

Brigit: What five ingredients do you cook with all year long?

Salted European butter, local extra-virgin olive oil from Olea Farms, flat-leaf parsley, white beans, and any cured pork product I can get my hands on.

Casey: Share five of your favorite wines for winter.

My preferred winter wines? A big oaky Chardonnay—I know, it’s out of style—a smooth grenache, a Syrah that knocks your socks off, a chilled Beaujolais, and believe it or not: a kick a#@ Cab.

Both: Refugio Paso Robles: Give us a glimpse into the making of this incredible getaway and cooking experience retreat in Paso.

CB: Refugio Paso Robles…When we looked at the house we bought to live in it had a detached building that was just for cars. It actually had a car on a car lift in it. A light bulb went on in my head when I saw it. I thought, “We could turn this into Brigit’s cooking studio with two great guest suites! Let’s buy the house!” It has surpassed our expectations and, by the number of repeat guests we have had they feel the same. The kitchen is glorious, and the suites are fabulous if I do say so myself!

BB: I was initially skeptical about CB’s idea to embark on such a huge project with the guesthouse. But one of the things he and I do well together is design homes and interiors. It releases our creative juices! We’ve spent hours in bars sketching house plans on cocktail napkins, and many of them have become reality. And it doesn’t hurt that CB has perfected the art of acting as the “general” on construction projects.

Both: Speaking of getaways, you recently returned from Florence. Tell us about this trip and some of your favorite memories. 

CB: We spend a lot of time in Italy and our go- to travel is to Florence. It is endlessly fascinating and inspiring to walk among the history and culture and it adds to the profound experience of being alive. And the food isn’t bad!

BB: We got engaged in Florence; we got married not too far south of Florence—it’s where our hearts go when we are daydreaming. And that translates into taking our actual bodies there as often as possible.

Both: You stay very busy! How do you find “downtime” and what’s your favorite place to just relax when your schedule allows in your hometown of Paso Robles?

CB: My idea of happiness is a clear horizon. Nothing that is pulling at my time and attention leaves me free to BE creative on my terms whether it be reading, playing music, gardening or the beautiful feeling of il dolce far niente.

BB: During the years that we lived in upstate New York, I drove out West every winter, stayed for 3 months and drove back East in the spring. (Read: winter in the east did not agree with me!) I have never felt more free, more relaxed, more at peace than when I was on the open road with no responsibilities except to lay down miles, listen to music, and do my own musing. I still love to drive; it’s like a cocoon of safety and freedom. Everything else can, simply, wait.

Both: If you could give your younger selves any words of advice, what would they be?

CB: I would tell my younger self to breathe and realize that you’re enough.

BB: You can never have too many white blouses. Skin care starts in your teens.

Both: Share your words to live by.

CB: Be impeccable with your words. Don’t take anything personally, Don’t make assumptions. Always do your best. Drink more water. Moisturize.

BB: View your life as if through a cinematographer’s lens; you’ll behave better. Life is short; do not cultivate regrets. If Tom Petty’s You Belong in the Wildflowers is not played at my funeral, then I’m not gonna go.

You can purchase Rottenkid on Amazon here

You can purchase all of Brigit Binns’ available cookbooks on Amazon here.

You can check out Casey’s website here

I hope you enjoyed Meet Paso Creatives Author Brigit Binns, and Actor Casey Biggs. Their partnership, both personally and professionally, is a testament to the magic that happens when two people share a love for life, food, wine, and each other. I hope their story inspires you as much as it has inspired me—because in Paso Robles, it’s not just about the wine, but the wonderful people who make it a place to savor. Thank you so much Brigit and Casey for sharing your passion.

You can find my previous Ageless Style Interviews here: