Once an esoteric pursuit embraced only by dedicated oenophiles, wine country travels in recent years have become the passion of millions of Americans drawn by the beauty and romance of vineyard lands and the people behind the wines they love.
"Where do you like to stay?" is second only to "what’s your favorite wine?" when I am asked about my travels as a wine journalist.
Consequently I have a deep curiosity about whatever is new or unusual in wine country lodging. A spot that is both is even more appealing.
So it was my great pleasure to visit the Canyon Villa on a recent trip to Paso Robles, California, to judge at the annual Winemakers’ Cookoff.
A four-bedroom bed-and-breakfast with rates starting at $275 a night, the Canyon Villa is located 10 minutes from the main square in Paso Robles, heading west out of town toward the seaside village of Cambria. Warm and inviting, it is a Tuscan-style villa in rural Paso Robles, with sweeping views of one of California’s fastest-growing wine regions.
What makes this charming spot unusual is the ownership team of Katherine Bloxsom-Carter and her husband William Carter. Chef William oversees the impressive culinary side of the Canyon Villa, which is truly world class, for William is a renowned chef who spent the better part of the past three decades as executive chef at the Playboy Mansion. He studied at UC-Davis, too, and knows his stuff when it comes to wine.
The Canyon Villa has been open for business for all of six months. For information on this hot new wine country B&B, call 805-238-3362 or visit the website at www.thecanyonvilla.com.
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