If you’re looking for a vacation in Italy without the plane ride, a visit to CaliPaso Winery and Villa in Paso Robles might just be the ticket. Built to look like an Italian villa straight out of Tuscany, CaliPaso offers the perfect place to spend a long weekend.
Explore the Courtyard of This Tuscan Villa
A fully operational winery, CaliPaso was built in 1981. The Inn, added in 2001, provides a breathtaking replica of an Italianate villa. Pillars lining the pathways along the courtyard are topped with grapevines that grow over wooden trellises to provide gentle shade. Strategically planted trees also shade the expansive courtyard. Ivy grows up the sides of the villas providing some relief to the mustard yellow stucco walls. And meticulously maintained gardens with colorful plants and lush green lawns encourage guests to stroll through the grounds, slow down, and breathe in the beauty of this luxurious private Inn.
Villa decorated with religious painting next to pathway that leads to the vineyard views ©Pam Baker
Luxurious Guest Rooms
The Inn features seven sumptuously appointed guest rooms and suites. Decorated with fine imported European furniture, each room showcases carved dark wood-beamed ceilings and dramatic fireplaces. Luxurious wood floors add natural beauty to each accommodation.
European furniture and warm wooden floors create a luxurious feel to the suites ©Pam Baker
Every room includes a kitchenette and private patio or balcony overlooking estate vineyards and the surrounding Paso Robles countryside. With such spectacular views, sunrises from our patio proved to be worth the early morning wakeup. In addition, separate living room-style seating provides guests with plenty of space to relax.
The Winemaker’s Suite, built on the second floor of a separate building, overlooks the courtyard. Two staircases on opposite sides of a dramatic stone wall gently spiral to the marble-covered entry of the suite. With two king bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen, and a hot tub, this suite is the Grand Dame of the Inn.
Stairs leading to the Winemaker’s Suite ©Pam Baker
Enjoy a Gourmet Breakfast and Appetizers with Wine
Every day from 8:00 am – 10:00 am, the Inn provides guests with a delightfully fresh breakfast prepared by the Inn’s resident chef. Expect homemade pastries, quiche of the day, frittata, eggs to order, bacon, sausage, potatoes, seasonal fruit, and an ever-changing selection of gourmet foods. And of course, guests with food allergies can easily be accommodated.
In the evening, guests staying at the Inn can taste CaliPaso’s wine by ordering a bottle from the onsite restaurant. After all, this is a winery! Appetizers are also available to accompany the wine.
The Wines of CaliPaso
Jeff Woo and his family bought the winery in 2012. Alan Kinne, with 40+ years of experience, is CaliPaso’s Director of Winemaking. Together, they make a great team producing outstanding wines. Paso Robles, a warm wine-growing region, is best known for its red wines. But Woo finds the right fruit from the Huber Vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills to produce CaliPaso’s Chardonnay. Balanced and medium-bodied, this delicious white wine displays hints of preserved lemon and Granny Smith apples.
CaliPaso’s estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon
The estate grown grapes in the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon produce a full-bodied, rich, and flavorful wine, with a hint of oak. The 2014 Tempranillo comes from nearby vineyards whose original vine cuttings were brought back from Spain by Woo in the late 1990s. A vibrant wine with aromas of dark fruit, the Tempranillo finishes with a smoky, peppery flavor.
Visit the Downtown Tasting Room
At CaliPaso’s downtown Paso Robles tasting room, guests of the Inn can enjoy complimentary wine tasting. The tasting room’s contemporary look, comfortable vibe, live music, and late hours make this a popular stop for downtown visitors.
But for my money, I say a stay at the CaliPaso Winery and Villa provides the best venue to taste its outstanding wines. A romantic stay in an Italian villa, views of the vineyards, and a great bottle of wine, what better way to experience a taste of Tuscany in Paso Robles?
