We leave Oxnard and the traffic nightmare of Southern California in our rear view mirror as we make our way north toward Paso Robles.  Turing off the 101, the mountains behind us, heading east, I begin to wonder at my decision to leave the verdant hills and green valleys of Santa Ynez and Santa Barbara.  Things look a bit barren along the highway and a tiny bit of apprehension at my decision to prolong our stay for a week in Paso Robles takes hold. 

Finding our VRBO

But we are here so…following our emailed instructions we turn off onto a two lane paved road edged with faded white fences, old barns andsmall houses. We follow it for four miles eventually finding ourselves faced with an expanse of green nothingness in the heart of rolling hills; I begin to feel a bit better.  Optimism takes hold. Finally, driving through the impressive gate, approaching the yellow house on the point of land in the distance, I begin to wonder if I am back in Chianti.

Michael sits in the car, waiting to follow my lead; it is my DEAL after all. Out of the car, I approach the front door, only to be greeted by Tom walking quickly toward me—tall, energetic, friendly and all smiles—saying over his shoulder, “Charlotte’s here.” I felt like an old friend.  I can’t believe my luck; I always wanted a house with a view, and this view is stunning… going on for 360 degrees of forever.  All mine—for a week. I start wondering about squatter’s rights.

Villa Vetta

The guest quarters of this lovely home are more than I could have asked for.  Finally a king sized bed.  Windows and doors and Italian pottery.  Books and a TV with more than three stations and enough seating to sit, slouch, and nap. A fantastic bathroom, and a tiny, cute, miniscule kitchen that leads to a loggia that leads to a seating area in a bell tower.

I start seriously wondering about squatter’s rights.  I’m not even sure I want to go on any vineyard/winery explorations this week.  I might never even leave the balcony.

I can’t help myself.  I ask, “How did you ever find this place?”

“We kept telling the realtor we wanted a house with a vineyard view, but with no luck,” Rebecca tells me. Finally she and Tom took matters into their own hands and started searching MLS on their own. They found a dream.

After hearing the story of seeking and finding and problem-solving, I knew that even if I had seen it in all of its pristine, unmarred glory, I wouldn’t have had the vision.  They scraped off the top of the rolling hill, taking the dirt and filling in a deep valley to make the property accessible…and created a dream, doing much of the construction work on the house themselves.  Building first the garage apartment where we will lay our heads and then getting to work on the main structure. Only recently have they decided to rent out the guest house.

Paso Robles Wineries

But of course everyone comes for the wine, as did we, and I am at a loss as to where to start.  Kindly Rebecca takes me by the hand and leads me down a haze induced path of Zinfandel.  She marks her recommendations with an asterisk: Calcerous, Chateau Margene, Croad, Ecluse, Halter, J. Lohr, Justin, Opolo, San Antonio, Sculpterra, Tablas, Turley, San Juliette, Villicana, Le Cuvier, Windward.  I have my own list: Brady, Robert Hall, Peachy Canyon, Hansen, Costoro.  All of these barely scratch the surface. I may need to stay longer.

At 8 p.m. I make reservations through Open Table for brunch at Justin Winery for noon on Sunday. I look forward to tomorrow’s drive, the food and wine a bonus.