Just Inn Nights

Ever get to the end of a long winery touring day and wish you could crash at the last stop?  Evidently you’re not alone, because the number of wineries offering lodging accommodations sure seems to be increasing.  And this worldwide trend is showing no signs of abating, especially in newly-developed wine producing regions.

Over the past decade, the pastime of winery touring has become more like “Agritourism” where visitors actively participate in or learn about the operation of a farm, vineyard or winery during an extended visit.  Just what is fueling the popularity of vineyard agritourism is anyone’s guess, but as many vacationers become weary of the stress dished out by the world’s cities, this trend is definitely moving to the upside.

One often overlooked viticultural area with many wineries providing lodging is the award winning Paso Robles area.  Conveniently located between Los Angeles and San Francisco, this wine growing region has many wineries that offer relaxing opportunities to completely enjoy the grape after hours.  To name just a few, there is Denner, Ventoux, Wild Coyote, and Justin.

Each offers a unique experience, but Justin’s operation is among the largest and also includes a gourmet restaurant.  Situated out near the “end of the road” on the west side of Paso Robles, it is certainly relaxing.  Plus, it’s a blessed circumstance being able to spend the night and avoid the drive back into town at the end of a long day.

Many of the rooms at the JUST Inn offer patios and balconies to soak it all in at day’s end.  After checking in, you can hear the last of the departing visitors as the tasting room closes and the rural peace eases back into the countryside.  The sounds of late day blend into night accompanied with a nice glass of wine and a snack or a visit to the restaurant.  This agritourism thing isn’t bad, not bad at all.

The next day greets you with the sound of never ending work in the vineyard as the softly cool morning air from a night of ocean breezes gives way to the morning sun.  This grape-friendly reversal of day to night temperature extremes is something that is best experienced firsthand.  It is one of the reasons for Paso’s success.

What now?  Step back, enjoy brunch, stroll the winery tour, lavish in the view, and taste.  And of course, repeat as often as possible.

Article by Tom Peiffer, Phoenix Wine Shopping Examiner at Examiner.com

View more of Tom’s articles on Examiner.com by visiting his writer’s page.