This was our 2nd time staying with Diane and Jim at The Canyon Villa ~ both times with another couple, our good friends. We couldn't wait to get down there (coming from Bay area) and had an even more enjoyable time than last November. We love our 'hosts' (we now think of them as our friends) and really look forward to the 5pm wine and hors'd'euvres, where we all end up in their flower-filled courtyard, the fountain tinkling in the background, talking about wine and whatever comes up. We got there later in the afternoon on a Friday, this time going just across the way to our friends at Ecluse Winery, came back to relax in our rooms for an hour or so, and headed down to 'cocktail hour.' Perfect way to start the getaway weekend!
On Saturday, thanks to Diane's extensive knowledge of the wines of the region, and the kinds of wines we were looking for, we visited several winemakers for the first time, one literally 'not on the map' (Caparone Winery) and were delighted with what we found.
Sunday morning we lingered and chatted some more with our hosts after Diane's "now famious in our circle" croissant french toast with fresh strawberries and gourmet sausage. They walked us out when the inevitable time came to say goodbye, and the first thing we started talking about as we drove away was when we can all come down again!
The wine highlights for us were:
Blind Dog (now well-known and portion going toward service dog programs), Rendition, Ensemble & Reserve Cab (all reds)ECLUSE WINERY
Best 'French-style' Viognier EBERLE WINERY
High on the Hog white (Rhone-blend) & Bull by the Horns red BARREL27
Red Haiku & White Haiku CINQUAIN WINERY (call for apt.)
Merlot, Agilianico (the first to bring this grape to the US), and Nibbiolo CAPARONE WINERY
As you spend time at The Canyon Villa, little touches come to mind. Really wonderful bath products, little `pillows' of bath oil for the jacuzzi tub, ultra-soft, luxurious bedding (I asked where I could buy the pillow on my bed!), fresh sunflowers in our room (Diane remembered that it was my husband's birthday and that he loves sunflowers), delicious imported cheeses with our wine, fresh strawberries from the farmers` market at breakfast, the way the crust on her homemade quiche is so flaky and delicious...all these little details are, in a word, Diane. Her quest for quality spills over into your stay here, adding to the feeling that you are a special guest. In today's world, we know of very few places that make you feel that way again and again.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC