To get the most out of any trip to wine country it is crucial to find accommodations as close as possible to that region's best wineries and vineyards - and the ultimate play is staying at a vacation rental on one of those special properties. During a recent trip to Paso Robles we were able to stay right in the middle of one of the most exciting boutique vineyards in the area and we must rave about our time spent at the wonderful Pelletiere Estate farmhouse and cottage.
Located in the Willow Creek District of west Paso Robles the Pelletiere Estate is a picturesque 16 acre property with 11 idyllic acres of vineyards. It is planted primarily to Italian grape varieties - a rarity for the region - a majority of which were planted as far back as the mid 1990's. Pelletiere Estate Winery operates their production facility and tasting room on this property which fully supports their small annual production of around 1400 cases. Not far from their tasting room sits a gorgeously remodeled historic farmhouse along with a charming guest cottage that are both available to the public for rental.
We had the opportunity to stay at the guest cottage on the Pelletiere Estate and our experience was absolutely magnificent. This quaint and tastefully furnished 1 bedroom home is extremely spacious and boasts exceptional vineyard views. The main living room and dining area, which is itself quite large, contains a massive sliding glass door that opens up to a beautiful and functional patio area just steps from away from vines. The bedroom is exquisitely decorated and includes a massive & comfortable king bed along with a roomy master bath. We found the cottage to be perfect to comfortably house a couple with room to spare, and we enjoyed being able to sprawl out on the couch with a glass of wine to relax at the end of each day.
While the inside of the Pelletiere guest cottage is wonderful the real treat is found outside. The cottage sits mere steps from the Pelletiere Estate Vineyard and provides easy accessibility for exploration. During our stay we found ourselves going for hikes around the property multiple times a day to observe the vines or to just simply take in the views. We discovered there is something calming and almost otherworldly about a quiet walk in a secluded vineyard as the energy and movement of the landscape become tangible. There might be no better way to kick back and unwind after a day of busyness than to take a leisurely stroll around a stunning vineyard with a glass of wine in hand.
Pelletiere Estate Winery also happens to make absolutely fantastic wine. As part of our stay we were able to participate in a guided tour and tasting led by owner Janis Denner and winemaker Amy Butler and were blown away by the combined efforts of these two women. The wines of Pelletiere Estate are crafted solely from fruit grown on the property and include some delicious and uncommon Italian grape varieties such as Lagrein, Montepulciano, and Nebbiolo. They are wines of both power and finesse that express the unique character of their vineyard with transparency and authenticity.
From our visit we learned that the Pelletiere Estate farmhouse and cottage might be the best place in Paso Robles to call home on your next vacation. The houses themselves are immaculate, the property and vineyard are impossibly scenic, and it takes only seconds to pop over to the Pelletiere tasting room for a delicious glass of wine. What more could a person ask for?