Review of Allegretto Vineyard Resort in Paso Robles, California
- Kathy Condon
- Dec 26, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Paso Robles captures your heart almost instantly upon your arrival. I have not yet met a person whose heart has not been deeply touched by the beauty of this community, with rolling hills, fresh ocean air, and welcoming people.
Disclaimer: This was a press trip, and most of my expenses were covered, but I wanted to share my impressions of the place where I stayed. By clicking on a link, I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase.
My trip began with a six-hour drive from Palm Springs. If you fly into San Francisco Airport, you will need a rental car, for it is a three-hour drive to this beautiful area. Check the San Luis Obispo County Airport, as it offers direct flights to several cities. This airport is about 35 miles from the Allegretto Vineyard Resort, where I stayed.
Journey Begins When I Checked In
The Allegretto Vineyard Resort is ideally situated in the heart of the Central Coast. It is considered a 4.5-Star resort rated by AAA. Based on my experience and the guests I interviewed, we agree that it offers 5-star service.
This Tuscan-style building with two bell towers stands out majestically from nearby buildings. The sun illuminated its sand-colored exterior and plentiful arches. It felt like I had been transported to Italy.
Checking in at the Allegretto Vineyard Resort
The thick, welcoming packet brims with information about this beautiful resort, set on 20 acres and featuring manicured grounds, walking paths, and a vineyard.
With the help of a valet, my room door opened to a beautiful old-world style room.
Thick, brocade drapes framed the window, while light filtered through the sheer curtain, revealing that I had my own private patio looking out into the gardens.
I loved the symbol on the wooden headboard and later discovered that it is a geometric symbol of good luck, reflecting the resort’s theme of sanctuary, harmony, and peace. During my stay, I learned Douglass Ayes, the owner, curated details like this.
He chose the name Allegretto after a musical passage that often conveys romance, warmth, and emotion. I had only been there for about an hour when I felt relaxed and totally at peace with the world—the goal of having people slow down definitely worked for me.
Parking at the Full-Service Resort
They offer valet parking, but I chose self-parking for a couple of reasons. I knew I would be going out and about often. But more importantly, I loved the walk from the parking lot to my room because it passes through the beautiful gardens, and the art strategically placed along the winding passway.
Dining at the Allegretto’s Restaurant, Cello Ristorante and Bar
The Mediterranean-inspired Cello Restaurant is both Casual and Upscale.
Right off the entrance lobby, the Allegretto Cello Restaurant is convenient for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you don’t want to wait, making a reservation is a good option since it's a popular place. There is both indoor and outdoor dining—I chose indoor since it was late in the evening and the ocean breeze had already found its way into the Valley.
I ordered their take on updating an Old Fashioned, called “New Old Fashioned--made with Basil Hayden, nitro espresso, vanilla demerara syrup, orange bitters, and cinnamon smoke. It wasn’t my favorite, but I was told it was their most ordered drink. I joked with the waiter, “Maybe because people feel adventurous when they are on vacation and decide to branch out from their favorite cocktail.”
Longing for a hot meal after driving from Palm Springs, for my entrée, I ordered Creekstone Farms Ribeye – grilled broccolini, marble potatoes, crispy shallot, and salsa al vino rosso. The steak was very tender, and the broccolini lay across the plate, providing a nice contrast for this farm-to-table meal.
Morning Art Tour of the Grounds
With such an abundance of art, my instincts told me there had to be stories about the pieces. So, with the help of a highly knowledgeable staff member, I was given a tour of the grounds.
One of the first things we walked through was the “Star Garden Trail.” Each station represented a constellation in the Zodiac – each position placed directly in the energy paths of the sun and moon.
He suggested we take the path up through the vineyard to the top of the hill. While short, it looked a bit steep, but no problem. Once we arrived at the top, I said, “Wow!” The view of the resort and the surrounding hills surrounding Paso Robles was amazing.
Scattered throughout the area were benches, a tree with crystal-like art dangling from its branches, and beautiful individual art pieces. If I hadn’t been on a tour with him, I would have chosen to sit there for a while.
Art Tour of the Art Inside the Resort
From Thursday through Sunday, you can take a tour of the art throughout the resort at 11:00 a.m. Douglas has collected art from around the world. Again, each piece is either chosen or bought for a specific location. Everything from an incredible rock forming the courtyard fountain created by the tumbling waters of a river in India, to a contemporary artist catching the light in Paso Robles in her paintings.
One of the most incredible pieces is a slice of a tree believed to have been over 2000 years old. It had tumbled down in the forest. Douglas, with love of nature and an exceptional eye for art, had a slice cut off, which would have been about 20 feet in the air at one time.
Today, this art serves as a backdrop for one of the many lounge areas and marks historical moments by analyzing the growth of the rings.
Wine Tasting on Site
When was the last time you sat on a patio with an amethyst geode adorning one corner, approximately 4ft tall? It was in my view, as I sat waiting to start my wine tasting.
The sustainable small-lot vineyard produces exceptional wine, from small-lot Cabernet to Rosé. I found the Cabernet to be outstanding and was delighted to purchase some for gifts.
Amenities at Allegretto
As the sun set behind the nearby hills, the resort took on a whole different feel. The firepits were lit. Douglas Ayres designed the chairs surrounding it. They hugged the curvature of your back, making you feel pampered and pleased that you were here on this starlit night.
With a glass of wine in hand, guests told me they had heard about this resort from friends. They decided to make it the venue for a corporate retreat, knowing that accompanying family members would have plenty to keep them occupied, with everything from tennis courts and a heated pool to a labyrinth and ping-pong available at no charge.
There’s a fitness center, but better yet, take a walk through the vineyard to see George the Alpaca. His job is to graze the vineyard, keeping it tidy, but he delights in greeting guests.
After a lovely three-night stay, it truly was difficult for me to pack up and head to the car. I loved exploring the area from here, but more importantly, I’ll miss the ambiance and the sense of peace and refuge the Allegretto Vineyard Resort provided me with, a place to reset from my busy life.
Kathy Condon is a Travel Journalist and Content Creator. Her niche is luxury experiences, hidden delights, and communities living in the shadows of others. kathy@kathycondon.net 760-902-3094