Inns in Lesser-Known Wine Regions of California
SACRAMENTO, CA [September 24, 2015]—Napa and Sonoma get all of the attention, but wine enthusiasts will find high quality wines and far fewer crowds at lesser-known and up-and-coming wine regions throughout California. The boutique hotels and B&Bs in each region make a perfect pairing for a California wine country escape.
Sierra FoothillsWinemakers have been growing grapes in the Sierra Foothills since 1851, but the region remains largely undiscovered as a wine destination despite its excellent wines and growing mountain of awards. Much of the wine buzz is centered around the old gold mining town of Murphys in Calaveras County, which is currently home to over two dozen family-owned boutique wineries. The wineries offers tours and tastings year round, with many tasting rooms located right on Main Street and far from the crowds of California’s better-known wine regions.
The tasting rooms are also within an easy stroll of bed and breakfast inns in downtown Murphys. Dunbar House, 1880 offers five cozy Victorian guest rooms, all with Norwegian gas fireplaces and claw foot soaking tubs or Jacuzzi tubs for two. The 24-room Victoria Inn blends history with modern comfort with its elegantly-appointed rooms and offers upscale dining with a wine list featuring many local selections.
The nearby Courtwood Inn is a newly-constructed cedar log bed and breakfast set on a five-acre hilltop with stunning views from every room. The inn pours red and white wines from local winemakers at happy hour each evening. The inns also offer chauffeured wine tasting tour packages of Calaveras County and adult wine camp packages.
Just to the north of Calaveras, Amador County has over 40 wineries scattered through the foothills. Amador Harvest Inn is owned by one of the Shenandoah Valley's oldest winegrowing families, the Deavers. Guests can enjoy the view from the back porch while sipping wine from Deaver Vineyards. The inn’s four guest rooms are named for wine grape varieties.
Also located in the Shenandoah Valley, Inn Behind the Wall is a gated bed and breakfast estate set on eight-and-a-half acres of winding walking paths and oak trees tucked “inn behind the wall.” The newly-furnished estate is a fashionable escape complete with a swimming pool.
In the quaint gold-rush era town of Sutter Creek, Hanford House Inn is red brick inn with a contemporary yet rustic flair and modern amenities. Its onsite restaurant, Element, features some of the best Amador County wines.
To the south, in Tuolumne County near Yosemite, the Cellar Door Restaurant at the Groveland Hotel showcases the most extensive collection of Sierra Foothill wines. The 48-page, award-winning wine list features over 600 labels from around the world with a special section devoted to wines from Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada and Tuolumne counties.
Further south, near King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, Sequoia View Bed and Breakfast at Cedar View Winery is nestled on a 20-acre vineyard which produces Rhone varietals and Alicante Bouschet. The inn’s Winemakers Suite is on the second floor of the winery building, while two other suites are located in the guesthouse surrounded by Alicante vines.
Mendocino CountyMendocino County is a leader in certified organically-grown grapes. Of the 17,000 acres of vineyards in the county, 25% of them are grown organically. The hottest up-and-coming viticultural area in the county is Mendocino’s Anderson Valley, which specializes in pinot noir and Alsatian varietals. While production is still small, the quality has made the Anderson Valley a top-ranked pinot noir region in North America.
In the heart of the Anderson Valley, The Madrones is a unique, Mediterranean-inspired compound with nine stylish guest quarters for the discerning traveler. The property features serene courtyards, carefully manicured English gardens, a restaurant, and four vintners for which guests of The Madrones receive complimentary tasting passes.
Just a 30-minute drive from the Andersen Valley on the coast, Elk Cove Inn & Spa treats their guests to a gift basket with a half bottle of the locally-made Husch Chenin Blanc upon arrival. The inn also provides guests who are interested in wine tasting with a customized tasting itinerary, tasting passes, discount coupons and picnic baskets.
Further north on Mendocino’s rugged coast near Fort Bragg, the brand new Inn at Newport Ranch is just a half mile away from Mendocino’s only coastal winery: Pacific Star Winery. The inn pours a glass of local wine for each guest upon arrival and each evening brings fireside appetizers and libations featuring local wines and beers.
Monterey CountyAs the country’s leading producer of Chardonnay with 45,000 acres of wine grapes, 175 vineyards, 60 tasting rooms, 42 varietals, and eight American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), Monterey is no lightweight in the wine industry, but the 90-mile valley where most of the grapes are grown remains a quieter destination for visitors.
In the Chalone Appellation in southern Monterey County, Inn at the Pinnacles is a tranquil estate surrounded by the owner’s vineyards (Brosseau Vineyards). The vineyard is organically farmed and the grapes are sourced by a dozen high-end winemakers. The inn pours wines from their vineyard during the wine social hour and also offers them for sale to guests.
The scenic drive along G16 East Carmel Valley Road, known as the “Carmel Valley Wine Trail” features numerous tasting rooms including the Carmel Valley Village. Country Valley Inns Hidden Valley Inn is located within an easy walk of the village tasting rooms. The 25-room inn offers charming country décor and comfort at affordable prices.
Paso RoblesPaso Robles is the fastest growing AVA in California with 32,000 vineyard acres and more than 200 wineries, most of which are boutique or small family-owned wineries producing less than 5000 cases. The region has gained recognition for its proprietary Paso Robles blends – innovative and non-traditional blends of Bordeaux, Rhône, Zinfandel and Spanish varietals.
Revamped in 2013, the modern suites at Justin Winery’s JUST Inn feature fireplaces, Tempur-Pedic® mattresses and Frette linens. An overnight stay includes breakfast and a tasting and tour of the winery and caves. The winery’s restaurant offers an exquisite five-course wine pairing dinner with fresh local ingredients that reflect the changing seasons.
Also nestled among vineyards in Paso Robles, Inn at Opolo is a three-suite luxury inn with fireplaces, Italian linens, and king beds draped with feather duvets. A large wraparound deck provides scenic views of the vineyards. Complimentary wine is served with appetizers in the afternoon.
Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara vintners have been quietly making quality wines for decades, but the 2004 film “Sideways” featuring the golden hills of the Santa Ynez Valley helped to put Santa Barbara on the map as a wine country destination. The unique east-west orientation of the coastal mountains forms valleys opening directly to the Pacific Ocean. This allows the fog and ocean breezes to shape distinct microclimates, perfect for the cultivation of a diverse variety of grapes. Approximately 55 varietals are grown within five AVAs.
The Santa Ynez Valley has the largest concentration of wineries, and fittingly, a number of bed and breakfasts catering to wine connoisseurs. The Ballard Inn & Restaurant pours local wines for its wine and hors d'oeuvres hour and offers an extensive local wine list with dinner. The on-site tasting room features wines of small local vintners, many of which are only available at the inn.
Los Olivos is home to the Fess Parker Wine County Inn & Spa, a distinctive luxury boutique hotel for food, wine and spa enthusiasts. Guests of the inn receive complimentary tastings at Fess Parker Winery and Epiphany. Many more tasting rooms are within walking distance in downtown Los Olivos.
Nearby, in the Danish village of Solvang there are numerous wine tasting rooms and B&Bs within walking distance. The Landsby is a newly-renovated boutique hotel featuring airy Scandinavian design. The wine list of the inn’s restaurant, Mad & Vin, features almost exclusively Santa Barbara County wines. Also in Solvang, the newly-renovated rooms at the Atterdag Inn are light and cozy with brightly-colored modern Danish furnishings.
Los Alamos is home to both small boutique wineries and large-scale operations. The Victorian Mansion Bed and Breakfast is within walking distance of the tasting rooms and features utterly unique themed guest suites. The inn welcomes guests with a bottle of wine upon arrival and is happy to arrange private or group wine tours to explore the region.
For more information about these and other California inns, visit www.cabbi.com.
###
Media Contact: Ranee Ruble, ranee@papermooncreative.net or 503-788-3938
Tags:
