Reviews

Oh dear me, what kind of karma do I have? Apparently the best. I’m sitting at a dining table, in a one bedroom cottage, set apart from a large estate, perusing an antique piano turned into a display case, a couch and two armchairs – that all recline – a beautiful modern kitchen area with everything you could possibly need for a welcome stay – from coffee maker to teapot, corkscrew to sweet and salty snacks and a large fireplace, television, another seating area…and that’s just in the front room. (Ed’s taking a nap in the bedroom so we may get there later.) I am just starting this article and it’s slow going as I find my eyes drifting to one of many windows where the sun has begun to set behind the patio, garden and vineyards. If this isn’t my heaven then I don’t know what is. ## The sun has now set, but before it grows too dark I see little bitty lights in the tree on our patio. I’m itching to go out and sit at the table and open a bottle of wine. But we’re in Paso Robles. And since Grapestake Cottage is so inviting, I forget for a minute that I have winery appointments. I made a quick evaluation of our calendar and decide that on at least one of our nights, Sunday, we will be bringing in a pizza, opening one of the many wines we’ve purchased to enjoy on the patio, watch that sunset again, and then retreat inside when it gets cold to flip on the fireplace, take our shoes off, don one of the provided terry robes, put some popcorn in the microwave, put our feet up and get cozy. We also made sure to set some time to get to know Nancy and Owen, our hosts, a wee bit better. As far as how they treat their guests, and circling back to how we felt our accommodations were far and above the standard, Nancy explained, “I’ve traveled with Owen on many trips and have often been irritated by asking to pay for items like water bottles and snacks. So we put a lot of thought into what a guest would like that we would also appreciate.” Come check then out for yourself: https://www.grapestakecottage.com/ https://www.instagram.com/grapestakecottage/ Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a "certification in first globally-recognized course" as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 15k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Couldn’t ask for a better location: great views of the surrounding vineyards, valleys, and hills. The cottage is beside a cozy courtyard with gorgeous rosebushes and olive trees. Incredible sunrises and sunsets. Easy drive to many wineries for tastings and a cute downtown with good restaurants and bars. The cottage itself is charming, clean, and comfortable—manages to combine an old-fashioned feel with modern amenities. (My personal favorites: the gas fireplace and spacious shower.) Fridge and pantry well-stocked with drinks and snacks. Very restful sleeps on the luxurious bed and easy to relax in comfortable living area. Hope to be back with my wife before long!

My husband and I truly enjoyed our stay at the cottage. The hosts were absolutely lovely and so helpful. The towels and amenities are top notch. We appreciated the snacks in the room after the wedding we were in town for. Should we ever be back in Paso, we would definitely stay here again! Highly Recommended.

Enchanted! That defines the experience we had at the Grapestake Cottage. It is truly a sanctuary that relieved our stress, brought comfort and gave us a break from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. It's like a fairy tale home surrounded by beautiful vineyards and glowing scenery. When the gracious owners, Owen and Nancy, told us to make ourselves at home, this was the first time that we really felt that way. We highly recommend this rare find and give it five big stars. We look forward to coming back to this magical place.

It is located on a private vineyard. It is not a bed and breakfast place. It seems you are all by yourselves. All amenities are top of the line. You can sit before the fireplace at night and sip a glass of the complimentary bottle of wine or sit on the patio and watch the stars and listen to the crickets. The kitchen is stocked with snacks and drinks. The bedroom is exquisitely appointed with a king-size bed with top quality linens.

We arrived into town around noon and called Nancy to see if the room may be ready. It was in the process of being cleaned but that she would call once ready. Shortly after hanging up, Nancy called back letting us know she had set up a free wine tasting at a local winery, while we waited, which she obviously did not have to do. She did as promised and let us know when the room was ready. Once we arrived we were graciously greeted by Nancy and Owen. The cottage was well equipped, cozy, and roomy with a beautiful view overlooking the vineyards. It's location to downtown and the vineyards is very convenient. We had a wonderful time and definitely will be back. Nancy and Owen are outstanding hosts.

We have enjoyed visiting Paso Robles over the past five years - a favorite long weekend escape from southern California. Our recent stay at Grapestake Cottage was our most delightful visit to date. And we think it will be difficult to top! The cottage itself is new constructions with a mix of modern and rustic Franco/Tuscan-wine-country elements. Every window has a view of rolling hills of verdant grapes - for miles. With vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, a gourmet kitchen, a spa bath, a king bed and luxurious appointments throughout, we *almost* didn't want to step outside to to explore the region and taste the wine! Our hosts, Nancy & Owen, live in the main house, and their love of the property, the earth, their grapes, wine and people are apparent with every nuance, every choice, the position of every piece of art - even their choice of cutlery and flatware. And when we met them, they were endearing, warm and friendly to boot! They personally made our visit even more beautiful than it would have already been with "only" the luxurious and beautiful environment. They were sensitive and hands-off when we wanted privacy and open/inviting when we were feeling social. They are consummate hosts. We expected a simple, quiet place to sleep while we celebrated our 20th anniversary eating and tasting our way through the fabulous options of the region, but found Grapestake cottage a destination in and of itself. We can't wait to return!

I agree with everything the first two reviews mentioned. All aspects of the experience were luxurious and top quality. The hosts were engaging, knowledgeable and gracious. The little details were impressive. I loved the heavy, solid wood doors and the hardware on them, all coordinated with the rest of the tasteful decor. I think this is what ambience is all about - everything blending together harmoniously and giving you a real feel for a place. This is a storybook setting if your stories include wine (and some of ours do). For us, it was a getaway of extraordinary quality. We enjoyed unwinding and experiencing a wine region that has come of age. What really got to me was the view out the living room and bedroom windows. The cottage is on a hill and overlooks a panorama of vineyards. First, there are flowers directly in front of the windows, then horizontal rows of vines. You see that you are in the middle of a vineyard. But beyond those vines are rolling vineyards, with their rows of vines at different angles. Beyond them are the mountains. It is a painting come alive. But best of all, ithe view changes as the sun moves. The birds started chirping outside our open bedroom window with sunrise. Coming from behind us, the sun made those beautiful mountains and vineyards glow in sequence. Sunset, with the western sky in its colors, was also spectacular. We will be back.