SMS started a new job this month and took one week off prior to starting. I was able to free up some days at the end of the week, so we took the Amtrak down to Paso Robles and met up with Linda and Rip for some celebratory wine tasting. The train is a great way to go. The price is reasonable. The seats are really comfortable. We had normal seats, which were great since they are set up by twos- window and aisle only, no middle! The trip took just under four hours from San Jose, which isn’t much slower than a car. The scenery was pretty as we went through the green hills and fields of central CA. The part of the Amtrak train isn’t on the coast- that’s between San Luis Obispo and San Diego but still, it’s very pretty.
We stayed at the Allegretto Voneyard Resort. The room was nice and, best of all, there were vineyard llamas! At the front desk, you could request a cup of feed so I fed them three times. They like the food and that’s about it. There were no llama snuggles but still, it was a cool experience. We learned a little about llamas. Just in case you’re thinking of getting one, you need to get three at minimum since they’re herd animals and will do better, temperament-wise. Oh well, three llamas? I think I can swing it.
We went to three vineyards: Calcareous on the first day and Six Mile Bridge and Austin Hope the second. We also swung by Opolo to pick up some Nonino. Six Mile Bridge was my favorite, while Austin Hope was just ok. Linda and Rip had remembered liking it more the first time they went. It wasn’t bad and the outside seating was really nice, but the wines were just ok. But that’s fine! There are so many places to try- it’s nice not to get stuck on old favorites! On our two winery day, we got delicious sandwiches from Red Scooter deli. For dinners, we went to Rustic Fire pizza and Buona Tavola. Overall, it was really a fun wine tasting trip.
We headed back to the Bay Area on Friday. On the way, we had lunch at Carmel. We got sandwiches from 5th Ave deli and then walked down to the beach. It is so gorgeous there!
Those llamas are very cute. Too bad they’re not more cuddly!
I’m glad you took the time for this trip. Yay for fun!
We stayed at the same hotel back in September, it was really nice. I did not, however, see llamas, and now I feel that I was robbed! I guess that’s a good reason to go back.
Yes, you should definitely go again! You don’t even have to stay there to see the llamas- you can just walk the grounds.