As luck would have it, my 8 year anniversary came up at an inopportune time this year. I know that it comes at the same time each year, yet it continually sneaks up on me! Mike and I each take alternating years planning our anniversary, and 2010 fell in my lap. The goal is to plan an anniversary surprise for the other person with their interests in mind. I have no problem planning other people’s romantic getaways because I encourage them to cast off their excuses for why they can’t go away with the one they love. Alas, my tried-and-true reasons were falling on deaf ears – my own. So, with only a week to put together a anniversary surprise for my amazing husband, I threw together a short-but-very-sweet wine-themed getaway.
The view from Pomar Junction.
We are blessed to live in the central coast wine region, where over 100 wineries are within an hour or two drive. Being oenophiles, I decided to take advantage of the harvest time to savor some of the best this region has to offer. From the very first wine tasting adventure we embarked on together over 9 years ago, it became clear to me that while my husband could try Pinot after Malbec and then some, I could sip only a handful before succumbing to a very woozy head. So, I wanted a day of wine tasting that would keep us both in the game with as much relaxation and together- time as possible. A perfect solution was the Wine Wrangler Adventure Wine Tour!
For 7 hours, we were chauffeured in air-conditioned comfort with 4 other couples as we sampled some of Paso Robles’ finest wines. We were picked up from our hotel, La Bellasera Hotel and Suites, by John, our guide for the day. From then on, we held hands as we wound down bumpy side roads in search of fruity reds that would tempt our tastebuds. All in all, we visited 6 wineries with up to 9 samples at each! By the time we stopped at Pomar Junction for lunch, I was ready for a break. We sat outside the tasting room for lunch, and there wasn’t another soul in sight – such a peaceful spot! This was my favorite stop of the day, not only due to the great lunch included in our tour, but for the charming surroundings, good conversation, and delicious wine.
By the time John brought us back to La Bellasera, we had a case full of wine and some new friends. My husband was pleased that he didn’t have to drive all day, and I was thrilled to spend some stress-free time together! We were only 1.5 hours from home, yet it felt like we were an entire time zone away!
Being that we were so close to home, we could have just hopped in the car and driven back to Monterey. However, being that this was our anniversary, I wanted just a little more together-time. So, we went up to our suite and took advantage of our en-suite hot tub before dinner.
The lobby of La Bellasera
When I decided to stay at La Bellasera, they weren’t the only romantic hotel in town, yet I was so impressed by the concierge service that I received upon my initial inquiry, that I decided to stay. I wasn’t disappointed. Our room was so clean, comfortable, and romantic! You don’t expect much, coming off the 101 freeway, seeing the hotel across from the Hampton Inn. Yet once you step inside the lobby, you immediately forget you’re just off the highway.
Aside from the comfortable room, there were amenities that one would expect in a luxury hotel, such as a walk-in shower for 2, impossibly-plush towels and robes, no less than 10 vanity items in the bathroom, a fully-stocked minibar, plus separate fridge, desktop computer with free internet, bath salts by the jacuzzi, etc..that made for a very cozy, romantic stay. The 42 inch flat screen TV that my husband could watch from the jacuzzi tub was a bonus!
The view from the jacuzzi.
However, the one thing that was a real treat, was the hotel restaurant, Enoteca. Normally, the words hotel and restaurant don’t equal fantastic dining experience. Yet, Enoteca was not your normal hotel restaurant. I made reservations with the concierge prior to our stay, and was pleasantly surprised when we were escorted to our table for two, immediately in front of the roaring fire. We were seated no more than 3 minutes when we were presented with a surprise bottle of champagne and an amuse bouche. The evening was getting off to a great start!
The rest of the meal was just as good: an impossibly-thick pork chop cooked to perfection for my husband, and a pan seared halibut with pineapple curry for me. We dined, drank, and dawdled. It was one of the nicest evenings we’d had in a long time. Finally, we were the last ones to leave, but not ready to retire quite yet, so we grabbed one of our newly-acquired dessert wines, and went out the doors to the poolside fireplace.
The delicious Enoteca!
Needless to say, we were more than pleased with La Bellasera, and when the time came to leave in the morning, my husband – a man of grudging praise – said, “That was a great place – I can’t wait to come back.”
It just goes to show that a simple, close-to-home getaway can be just what the doctor ordered. Especially if the doctor’s prescription includes a glass of Zinfandel!
