Wine Away the Day—and Night—At These 11 Vineyards and Distilleries
Outside of Badia a Coltibuono
Luxury accommodations located within a winery’s vineyard or a distillery’s headquarters are becoming a tourist attraction as much as the wine and spirits themselves. These immersive experiences allow guests to actually live—not just observe—the alluring lifestyle of wine or scotch country. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a family reunion, there is a wide range of lodging styles to accommodate every visitor, from full-service inns to private, loft-like apartments and luxury resorts. “These lodging options offer yet another great way to experience the wine community from vine to glass,” says Jennifer Porter, executive director of the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance.
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But it’s not just about the rooms. Amenities like world class food and wine, spas and on-site activities make these hotels worth a visit. “Beyond the views of the vines, we also pride ourselves on offering elite service,” says Shayne Kilne, general manager at Paso Robles’ SummerWood Inn. Guests are greeted with a private wine and appetizer reception upon arrival. Nightly turn-down service (the handmade caramels are not to be missed) and the farm-fresh breakfasts complete the experience. And the concierge will help create a personal itinerary for exploring the estate, neighboring wineries and nearby seaside destinations.
Here are 11 places to experience the spirit and wine country lifestyle firsthand.
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Located on the Scottish Isle of Islay in the southeast region of the country, single malt whisky distillery Ardbeg has been in production since 1815. Its on-site Seaview Cottage is a two-story abode where up to six adults can enjoy newly renovated accommodations with original old-world charm and Scottish furnishings against the backdrop of breathtaking sea views.
Rooms from £200, ardbeg.com
Set within the bucolic hills of Chianti, Badia a Coltibuono features the best that Tuscany has to offer in an 11th-century monastery. The historic estate boasts a newly renovated bed and breakfast, world-famous cooking school and restaurant, and an organic winery and olive press. The surrounding farmland, woodland preserve, botanical gardens and archeological site make this destination so much more than just a “wine hotel.”
Rooms from €150, coltibuono.com
You’ll never want to leave the Capofaro Resort, run by the Tasca d’Almerita family, on the Sicilian island of Salina. The 27 rooms each come with private terraces and sea or garden views and are surrounded by 11 acres of Malvasia vineyards. White buildings with Aeolian-style columns showcase bright pink bougainvillea flowers and shady canopies for that classic Italian riviera aesthetic, and you can even stay in one of six rooms set within a picturesque lighthouse. A pool, paddle tennis court, yoga and pilates classes and restaurant round out the offerings at this resort.
Rooms from €260, capofaro.it
Run by the Neri family in the Montalcino region of Italy near Siena, this farmhouse was transformed into a luxurious escape complete with pool. The terracotta floors and original wood beams in the Relais at Casanova di Neri’s 10 guest rooms offer a rustic vibe while sweeping views of the vineyards are anything but old school.
Rooms from €240, casanovadinerirelais.com
Paso Robles’ new hotel entrant the Geneseo Inn at the Cass Vineyard & Winery features an industrial design using recycled steel shipping containers that sit high on steel stilts offering unobstructed views of the vineyards below. The suites, fabricated from glass, wood and corten, each have a private balcony. Guests are served a gourmet breakfast each morning and have access to a farm education program, vineyard tours, wine tutorials, cooking classes and beekeeping seminars.
Room rates available upon request, casswines.com
Located in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay wine country, Craggy Range vineyard now has nine guest accommodations (cottages and lodges) among the vines. Included in your stay is a gourmet breakfast and a private tour of the cellars complete with private tasting. “The demand for luxury and boutique accommodation in Hawke’s Bay has been surging in recent years, with the region becoming firmly established as New Zealand’s premier food and wine destination,” says hospitality manager Kristine Kilpatrick. “We are delighted to respond to this demand with the introduction of two new tiers of boutique accommodation, offering our guests even more choice and flexibility.”
Rooms from NZD $450, craggyrange.com
Located on the North Sea in the Scottish Highlands, Glenmorangie House is a 17th-century home at the scotch house’s distillery that has served guests for 25 years. The house’s guestrooms and public spaces feature floral upholstery, four-poster beds with fringe canopies and lots of Scottish tartan textiles. The on-site restaurant, which specializes in dishes that enhance the single malt scotch it produces, is not to be missed. Chef John Wilson sources local ingredients for his four- and five-course tasting menus (think a passion fruit tart drizzled in a sauce made with Glenmorangie 18 Years Old whiskey).
Rooms from £200, theglenmorangiehouse.com
Nova Scotia’s seasonal (May-October) property boasts 22 guest rooms over several buildings on 200 acres with views of either a flower-adorned courtyard, brook, mountains and glen or the distillery (considered to be the first single malt whiskey distillery in North America). The Cape Breton Island property’s stunning six self-contained log chalets are nestled hillside and overlook the distillery and the scenic glen where eagles are often spotted in the Highlands.
Rooms from CAD 249, glenoradistillery.com
Every room and suite at the hillside Poetry Inn in Napa, Calif.’s Stags Leap District (owned by the Lede Family Wines group) has a stunning, west-facing view of Napa Valley, both indoor and outdoor showers, a private terrace with chaise lounge chairs and a wood-burning fireplace. Between a three-course breakfast served in-room or on the terrace overlooking the vineyard and complimentary wine tastings, you’ll find your every need is attended to. The five rooms at this sanctuary, which debuted in 2005 designed by Howard Backen, are each at least 950 square feet, so there’s plenty of room to spread out and take in the unparalleled scenery.
Rooms from $680, poetryinn.com
Nine-room boutique hotel SummerWood is the only inn located within its own estate vineyard in Paso Robles that offers a luxury experience in the heart of California’s central coast wine country. Visitors will find a tranquil atmosphere, delicious food and luscious wines.
Rooms from $300, summerwoodwine.com
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