Two miles east of Paso Robles along Highway 46, sits an impressive, recently constructed, ivy covered, tile roofed Italian style villa. Inside is a charming tasting room, gift shop and lots of Italian wines to keep you happy.

 

Tall glass doors lead you into the gift shop and to the granite topped tasting bar. The Tuscan style design is warm and inviting with lots of windows, wood and tile. Wine books, cookbooks, logo clothing, pottery, wine accessories, glassware, grape seed oil, chocolate sauces, and a selection of spaghetti sauces, including a sun dried tomato cabernet pasta sauce, crowd the attractive shop. An impressive deli case displays cheeses, meats, crackers, spreads, and numerous delectable treats. Outside are two patios with tables, chairs, umbrellas and heaters. 

In 1981 the Martin-Weyrich family purchased an old dairy farm a mile north from the tasting room, and set about creating a winery dedicated to Italian grape varieties. Growing Nebbiolo, the noble grape of Piedmont, was the first project and later expanded to include Malvasia Bianca, Muscat Canelli, Pinot Grigio, Barbera, Tinto Cao, Tempranillo, and Dolcetto. In 1999 the winery started making Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. They grow many of their own grapes on their estate and source their Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and their Chardonnay from their vineyard in nearby Edna Valley.

2006 Moscato Allegro: 

-89 points, Best Buy, Highly Recommended, Beverage Testing Institute
-4 Star Gold Medal Award, Orange County Commercial Wine Competition
-Gold Medal, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

2006 Pinot Grigio:

-Gold Medal, Central Coast Wine Competition

-Best of Class, Gold Medal, Jerry Mead’s New World International Wine Competition
-86 points, Wine Enthusiast

2006 Unwooded Chardonnay: Top 6 Wines to Pair with Oysters, Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition (international)

2003 Edna Valley Chardonnay: 90 points, Wine Enthusiast

2004 Sangiovese Il Palio: 87 points, Beverage Testing Institute

2002 Sangiovese Il Palio: 88 points, Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine

2003 Nebbiolo: 

-Top 100 Wines of 2007, San Francisco Chronicle
-87 points, Beverage Testing Institute

2003 Cabernet Etrusco: Top 10 Best Value Wines, Novum Vinum, Gayot.com

2002 Nebbiolo Il Vecchio: 86 points, Wine Enthusiast

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles: Best of Class, Gold Medal, Central Coast International Wine Competition

2002 Dante Dusi Zinfandel: 91 points, Wine Enthusiast

2003 Flamenco Rojo, Napa Valley: 89 points, Wine Enthusiast

2002 Flamenco Rojo, Napa Valley: 90 points, Wine Enthusiast

2001 Flamenco Rojo, Napa Valley: 87 points, Wine Enthusiast