Historic hotel in California's largest wine region is changing how visitors find, date and fall in love with a local winery

 

 

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA—There has long been a relationship with boutique hotels and their surrounding wineries in the state.  Hotel owners recognize that their guests frequent the area to explore California wines in their gorgeous settings, in family-owned vineyards, sustainably-farmed and selectively fermented.  Local wine and food pairings are commonly found in innovative, thoughtful restaurants, where chef and vintner collaborate with their contributions.  Often tasting room information is included in guest room amenities.  A deeper understanding of the area offerings and exploration of the region was left to the inquisitive guest, until now.

 

The Paso Robles Inn, located on the town's city square in Paso Robles on California's Central Coast halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, has launched a unique wine partnership with local wineries. The concept - to infuse each winery into the décor, ambience and amenities of the guest rooms - in short, bringing the winery's unique experience to the guest room.

           

The Paso Robles Inn will convert 18 rooms into winery-branded rooms during the hotel's major renovation effort in summer of 2013.  While the guest rooms are completely renovated from floor to ceiling, including updated bathrooms, soft goods, amenities and their famous private mineral water soaking tubs,  winery partners will provide representative touches in art, furniture and accessories to theme the room.

 

From small, family-owned, award-winning wineries which hand-match grape to vineyard location,  and new vintners with minimal acres on notable locations such as an original stage coach stop, to the sprawling 900 acres of nationally known brands, the wineries chosen by Paso Robles Inn are unique and worth a visit.  Knowing more about a winery simply by relaxing in a guest room is one way of encouraging guests to head into the wine country.

            The branding concept is an opportunity to strengthen the partnerships already in place with the Inn, to broaden exposure to each winery partner in a new way. 

 

Who's who in wineries

 

California wine lovers will surely recognize the labels; Ancient Peaks Winery, Broken Earth Winery, Castoro Cellars, DAOU Vineyards, Donati Family Estate Winery, Eberle Winery, Hope Family Wines, J. Lohr Winery & Vineyards, Le Vigne Winery, Peachy Canyon, Rio Seco Winery,  Robert Hall Winery, Tobin James Cellars and Vina Robles are among the winery partners.  (Paso Robles Inn's dog-friendly rooms were chosen by Eberle Winery and Rio Seco Winery.)  Because Paso Robles has a growing craft beer movement, the Inn also selected a brewing partner for the concept--Firestone Walker Brewing Company.   Guests will receive a taste of their host winery or brewery's selected label during their stay at the hotel's Steakhouse restaurant.

 

Way the area grows superior wine grapes

 

The Paso Robles wine region is the largest and most diverse in California, with distinct soils, many microclimates and unique topography contributing to the depth of wines in the region.  It is the fastest growing American Viticultural Area (AVA) in California; 32,000 vineyard acres.  In the past decade, the number of wineries has swelled from 50 to more than 270 bonded wineries, ranging from nationally distributed, to mid-size and boutique.   The area's Zinfandel grape historically gave the Paso Robles AVA its start as a wine grape producing region and is celebrated annually with its own festival in March.  Today the region is well touted as California's "Rhone Zone" for its production of world class Syrah as well as Viognier and Roussane, while Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordelaise varietals remain king, comprising 50% of the region's total acreage.

 

Commercial winemaking can be traced to the 1870s when Indiana farmer transplant Andrew York planted vineyards on his homestead.  In the 1920s and 30s several families immigrated to the area to establish family vineyards and wineries.  The Paso Robles region and the establishment known today as the Paso Robles Inn, gained more notoriety when Ignace Paderewski, the famous Polish statesman and concert pianist, visited Paso Robles Hot Springs for the healing mineral waters which brought relief to his ailing hands.  He fell in love with the area, purchased 2,000 acres, and planted Petite Syrah and Zinfandel on his Rancho San Ignacio vineyard.

 

The idea forms over years

 

The Paso Robles Inn wine room concept is the brainchild of Noreen Martin-Hulburd, owner of Martin Resorts.  The Paso Robles Inn is one of five boutique hotels owned and operated by the San Luis Obispo-based company.  As the volunteer president of the Visit San Luis Obispo County, President Martin-Hulburd  is constantly considering ways to bring more visitors to not only her properties, but to local restaurants, shops, farms and farmers markets, outdoor adventure companies, dog-friendly places and the abundance of outdoor California-lifestyle options.  And the wine.

 

"We are located in one of the most historic spots in California, on top of a never-ending supply of natural hot spring water that has been used for healing and relaxation for centuries," said Martin-Hulburd.  "We are also steps from several wine tasting rooms - but that's not enough.  We needed to bring pieces and expressions of these incredibly diverse wineries into our renovated guest rooms so our guests realize they are in the largest wine region in the state and it is waiting to be explored outside their door."

 

The company recently researched and developed a guide featuring local places for travelers to experience when they exit Highway 101 in the county.  The "101 Reasons to Exit Highway 101" is designed to promote little-known places and local favorites including wineries. It's available free at www.martinresorts.com.  The Paso Robles Inn renovation and winery room installation will be complete in summer 2013.  For reservations and information, visit www.pasoroblesinn.com, call toll free 800-676-1713 or direct at  805-238-2660.

 

About Martin Resorts

From oceanfront hotels in the popular beach towns of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach to an historic garden inn located in the heart of Paso Robles wine country, each Martin Resorts hotel is a unique experience for California weekend getaways, family vacations, and business meetings, when companies want to meet halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. California's best beaches, breathtaking ocean views and stunning sunsets, exceptional golf, an abundant wine country and farm-to-fork dining experiences, and historic Hearst Castle are within easy reach.  For more information and hotel reservations, visit www.MartinResorts.com.

 

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Press Contacts:  Susan Wilson, Publicist, 602-996-4242, susanwilson129@gmail.com

 

Chantal Lavoux-Guy, Director of Sales and Marketing, 805-547-2711,    chantalL@martinresorts.com

 

 

About Paso Robles Inn's Partner Wineries

 

Ancient Peaks Winery

Ancient Peaks Winery is a partnership between three local winegrowing families who are inspired to craft remarkable wines from their jointly owned Margarita Vineyard.  Margarita Vineyard stands alone as the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles region, tucked beneath the peaks of the Santa Lucia Mountains just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean. www.ancientpeaks.com

 

Broken Earth Winery

Broken Earth Winery, produces unique wines that are estate grown, harvested and bottled in Paso Robles.  Broken Earth Winery remains committed to sustainable ideals, and to continuing to bolster the high-quality reputation of Paso Robles wines.  www.brokenearthwinery.com

 

 

Castoro Cellars

Castoro Cellars sources grapes almost exclusively from their Estate Grown, sustainably farmed vineyards. They select their grape sources carefully, matching vineyard location with the grape variety that thrives in that particular setting and employing vineyard techniques that produce the desired characteristics of each varietal. 

www.castorocellars.com

 

DAOU Vineyards

Gracefully perched atop a stunning promontory at 2,200 feet, the DAOU Spanish Colonial style winery is embraced by a tangible serenity.  No effort is spared to create the luscious varietals and blends that flow from this limited production winery.  www.daouvineyards.com

 

Donati Family Estate Vineyard

The Donati Family Estate Vineyard site enjoys a variety of soils from limestone to decomposed granite to clay loam, and access to the cooling ocean breezes of the Monterey Bay.  The vineyard is planted to various select clones of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc and Petit Verdot.  www.donatifamilyvineyard.com

 

Eberle Winery

Eberle handcrafts 25,000 cases of wine each year from surrounding Estate vineyards. And, after more than 33 years since the release of the Eberle label, the winery consistently remains one of the highest award-winning wineries in the United States.  www.eberlewinery.com  (note Dog-Friendly room)

 

Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Firestone Walker Brewing Company began as a small brewery with roots in wine country on California's Central Coast.  Firestone Walker's ales are selectively fermented in the Firestone Union oak barrel brewing system. The Firestone Union incorporates 65-gallon, medium and heavy toast American oak barrels.  www.firestonebeer.com

 

 

Hope Family Wines

As one of the pioneering families of the Paso Robles wine community, the Hope family is dedicated to sustainable farming and making wines that are delicious, accessible and memorable.  Still family-owned and operated, Hope Family Wines now makes five individual brands: Liberty School, Treana, Candor, Troublemaker and Austin Hope. The two brands featured at the Paso Robles Inn will be Treana, and Troublemaker.  www.hopefamilywines.com

 

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines includes more than 900 acres of cool-climate estate vineyards in Monterey County, with an emphasis on Chardonnay, Riesling, Valdiguié and Pinot Noir, 2,000 acres in Paso Robles dedicated to Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Petite Sirah and other red varietals, and 33 acres in Napa Valley, highlighting Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc. From this rich and diverse palette of sustainably farmed estate fruit, J. Lohr crafts wines showcasing bold, concentrated flavors and a vibrant sense of place.  www.jlohr.com

 

Le Vigne Winery

Located in the heart of the Paso Robles wine region, Le Vigne Winery produces quality wines that feature Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Syrah. Opened in 1995 the winery includes a tasting room that features a relaxed atmosphere, premium wines, and gourmet food items.  www.levignewinery.com

 

Peachy Canyon

Peachy Canyon Winery is a small family owned winery in the beautiful wine country of Westside Paso Robles on the Central Coast of California; near Hearst Castle and Big Sur. Peachy Canyon Winery specializes in estate Zinfandels and has been family owned and operated by the Beckett Family since 1988.  www.peachycanyon.com

 

Rio Seco Winery

As a small family owned vineyard and winery, Rio Seco considers itself fortunate to be part of a "New World" of wine exploration. Their passion goes into creating an exceptional vineyard, using intensive growing practices resulting in richly handcrafted wines. (Do-friendly room.) www.riosecowine.com

 

Robert Hall Winery

Tucked into the hillside east of Paso Robles, along California's enchanting Central Coast is Robert Hall Winery, where years of hard work and infinite attention to detail are invested into every bottle of wine they make.  Robert Hall Winery is the result of an old-fashioned work ethic combined with traditional winemaking techniques, state-of-the-art equipment and a team of dedicated professionals.  www.roberthallwinery.com

 

Tobin James Cellars

Tobin James Cellars, located 8 miles east of Paso Robles on Highway 46, sits among 71 acres of vineyards and oak dotted hills. Built from the ground up on the site of an old stagecoach stop, it might seem more natural to stroll into the old-fashioned western-style saloon, place your booted foot on the brass rail of the bar and order a shot of whiskey from the bartender. However, in the Tobin James tasting room, award winning wines are poured from behind the grand, antique 1860's Brunswick mahogany bar from Blue Eye, Missouri.  www.tobinjames.com

 

Vina Robles

Vina Robles is the result of a unique personal trajectory, one that led winery founder Hans Nef from a rural village outside Zurich to the rugged terrain of California's Central Coast, from the science of engineering to the art of winemaking. Vina Robles crafts wines that represent a stylistic bridge between the Old and New worlds, capturing the finesse associated with European wines while celebrating the bold natural flavors of our estate vineyards in Paso Robles. www.vinarobles.com