Southwest

Eight Excellent Pairings: Where to Sip and Stay in Paso Robles

Napa Valley and Sonoma are not the only wine regions in California. We introduce you to the unique Paso Robles wine region.

Napa Valley and Sonoma are not the only wine regions in California, at least not anymore. Twenty years ago the Paso Robles wine region boasted less than 35 wineries; today it’s home to more than 200 and has become a major player in the world of wine. Yet, the region itself holds true to its past, one filled with farms, ranches, and a laid back, easy-going lifestyle. It’s an approachable wine region everyone can enjoy without crowded tasting rooms and weekend traffic jams… at least for now.

To get you on your way, we’ve pulled some of the more unique places to stay in the Paso Robles Wine Country on both the East and West side of the region, as well as suggested wineries. These two distinct regions produce different types of wines, which can dictate where you want to sip and the routes to take.

In the Heart of Paso Robles

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Located in the heart of Paso Robles’ historic town square, this intimate a 16-room boutique luxury hotel makes for a prime location to enjoy the town and all it has to offer during your wine country adventures. During your stay, you’ll be treated to a complimentary breakfast every morning in the Pony Club. Make sure to stop by in the evenings as well for jazz, small plates and a wide selection of wines and spirits. To top off the evening with something sweet, head to the Courtyard where you’ll find the hotel’s s’mores Butler making complimentary s’mores by the fire (between dusk and 10 p.m.). The cart is stocked with all the required ingredients – and some interesting additions – to ensure total “s’mores perfection.”

To top off the evening with something sweet, head to the Courtyard where you’ll find the hotel’s s’mores Butler making complimentary s’mores by the fire (between dusk and 10 p.m.). The cart is stocked with all the required ingredients – and some interesting additions – to ensure total “s’mores Perfection.”

Hotel Cheval can also help you plan your Paso Robles Wine Country adventure. Their Wine Concierge will customize an itinerary tailored to your particular specifications from beginners to experienced oenophiles. If you’re not heading out to the wine trail, or just getting a late start, consider pampering yourself in the spa at Hotel Cheval. There’s nothing like a Swedish massage to kick off your time in wine country.

Cheval

Top rated
Paso Robles
9.8 Excellent (598 reviews)

Mediterranean in California

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Influenced by Mediterranean and Italian architecture and surrounded by landmarks such as Hearst Castle and Lake Nacimiento, this 60-room hotel makes for a perfect getaway in the Paso Robles wine country. Casually elegant is the best way to describe La Bellasera Hotel and Suites, its rooms and amenities. The hotel features oversized rooms and suites, an onsite restaurant, spa, and is conveniently located close to many of Paso Robles’ wineries.

In the mornings, you may find it hard to leave your guest room to hit the wine trails. With pillow-top mattresses, custom furnishing, a cozy fireplace, a whirlpool spa, and exterior patios you may want to do your own wine tastings right here. But, we do insist you hit at least a few wineries outside the hotel or at least visit the hotel’s Enoteca Restaurant & Bar. The truffle fries are highly recommended and pair wonderfully with a glass of Prosecco or Chardonnay.

Hotel La Bellasera

Top rated
Paso Robles
9.0 Excellent (2213 reviews)

Immerse Yourself

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It’s one thing to visit the wine country, it’s another to immerse yourself in it. Staying onsite at a working vineyard is the perfect way to do just that.

The Inn at Croad Vineyards is a hidden gem in Paso Robles. With only four suites, the Inn provides a small and quaint setting where you can’t help but absorb all that is the Paso Robles Wine Country. From enjoying breakfast while overlooking the picturesque vineyards to a winery tour and to sipping wine and eating cheese with the winemaker/owner each evening – your stay at Inn at Croad Vineyards will be a unique oenophile experience.

Croad Vineyards & Inn

Paso Robles
10.0 Excellent (252 reviews)

Bordeaux-style Blends

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Renowned for crafting premium Bordeaux-style blends, JUSTIN Winery was named American Winery of the Year for 2015 by Wine Enthusiast. The winery is an exquisite destination unto itself with a luxurious three-suite Inn tucked behind the restaurant and tasting room, all surrounded by vineyards. The Inn was revamped in 2013 with a soothing pale green palette and mid-century modern furnishings. The suites, each named for one of JUSTIN’s signature wines, feature fireplaces, Tempur-Pedic® mattresses, Frette linens, hydro-spa tubs, and many welcoming touches.

A stay at the Inn includes breakfast delivered to your door and a winery tour and tasting, but don’t miss the restaurant’s five-course, farm-to-table, wine-pairing dinner. Afterward, take a glass of wine outside to the concrete-and-glass gas fire pits lining the edge of the patio. With the dark night skies above, this quiet, remote vineyard turns out an expansive blaze of stars once the sun sets.

Justin Vineyards & Winery

Paso Robles

Stay at the Winemaker's Cottage

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Calipaso is a private inn and winery nestled in the rolling hills and vineyards of Paso Robles, yet it’s only about five miles from the historic downtown. Each of its seven guestrooms and suites offers exquisite décor blending luxury and comfort. Features include fireplaces, private balconies or patios overlooking its vineyards and surrounding countryside.

The Inn also offers the opportunity to stay in The Winemaker’s Cottage, an exclusive 1,500 square foot two-room suite, living room, full kitchen and dining room that can comfortably seat ten. This cottage is ideal for a honeymoon, romance, or as a corporate master suite. A visit to the onsite tasting room is a must. The winery is known for Cuvee Blanc, Chardonnay, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, and its Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon.

Calipaso Winery

Paso Robles
9.8 Excellent (1256 reviews)

An Intimate B&B

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At the SummerWood Inn, you’ll find an intimate feel of a bed and breakfast, yet with the amenities and concierge service of a luxurious retreat. The inn sits on the grounds of the SummerWood Winery, which produces American Rhône and Bordeaux style wines.

The beautiful nine-room inn has a modern farmhouse design with a backdrop that sets the stage for a perfect wine country getaway. As a guest at the Inn, you will enjoy a farm fresh cooked-to-order breakfast each morning. When you return to the inn each afternoon you can savor seasonally-inspired appetizers and delectable desserts perfectly paired with SummerWood wines.

Summerwood Inn

Paso Robles
9.9 Excellent (96 reviews)

A Paso Robles Standout

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The Paso Robles Inn is a standout among hotels in Paso Robles. Listed as one of the 295 Historic Hotels of America, the Paso Robles Inn’s history spans more than a century. If only its walls could talk, the stories would be as rich and colorful as the original wallpaper. The historic downtown inn’s 98 rooms were recently updated, all providing a casually elegant atmosphere that retains its historic past.

If you visit, ask for one of the 18 Winery Themed Deluxe Mineral Spa Rooms. These new rooms are set amongst the Inn’s gardens and each features a hot springs mineral spa tub located either on the balcony or patio. It is the perfect afternoon retreat after a hard day sipping along the trail. For dinner, make sure to visit The Steakhouse at Paso Robles Inn where you can indulge in the finest premium cut steaks and its extensive wine list.

Paso Robles Inn

Top rated
Paso Robles
9.0 Excellent (2176 reviews)

20 Acres Of Vineyards

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On the east side of Paso Robles, tucked away on 20 acres of vineyards and olive and fruit orchards, you’ll find Allegretto Vineyard Resort. Built in a Mediterranean style, lush gardens and vineyards for as far as the eye can see, Allegretto is the perfect wine country sanctuary.

Every one of the 171 guestrooms at the Allegretto is European-inspired elegance with high ceilings, pillow-top mattresses, fine linens, and luxurious amenities, to create a custom in-room experience. Each room features a balcony or patio opening to spanning garden and vineyard views.

Leaving the resort to explore the surrounding wineries is optional when you stay at Allegretto. It’s easy to spend the day sipping on Allegretto’s own private label wine while lounging poolside in a private cabana. This is of course after you’ve spent time pampering yourself in the spa, and indulging in rustic northern Italian cuisine at Cello Ristorante & Bar.

Allegretto Vineyard Resort

Top rated
Paso Robles
9.6 Excellent (2063 reviews)

Feature image by Kelsey Knight on Unsplash