Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/833814
{ SOMMjournal.com } 91 Allegretto Vineyard Resort "Everything here has a purpose," Doug Ayres explained as he led our group of sommeliers on a tour of the Allegretto Vineyard Resort, our home base for the next few days. Ayres is the vision - ary behind the new Paso Robles luxury property, located just east of Highway 101. The resort sits at the base of a natural slope surrounded by an eight- acre estate vineyard and 200 Italian olive trees. Ayres's personal journey led him to build Allegretto with the intent to inspire creativity and cultivate joy. The art, in part from Ayres's personal col - lection, and the property's architectural features blend eastern and western cul- tures in a mix of pure harmony. There are many natural wonders including a cross-section of a giant sequoia tree often referred to as the "heartbeat" of the resort. Ayres resides locally at his Willow Creek Vineyard, planted entirely to 17 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaker Alan Kinne introduced our group of sommeliers to the new lineup of Allegretto wines: 2014 Viognier, 2013 Tannat, 2013 Zinfandel and 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon. THE 2017 PASO ROBLES CAB COLLECTIVE ATTENDEES: Chris McLean, Director of Restaurants, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, CA Christopher Barragan, Sommelier, Flemings, Woodland Hills, CA Dan Gurga, La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, La Jolla, CA David Toste Ruivo, General Manager, Arroyo Chop House, Pasadena, CA Fred Fedail, Buyer, Gerlach's Liquor, Pasadena, CA Jesus Evangelista, Beverage Manager, Montage, Beverly Hills, CA Marcus Voglrieder, Nobu, Malibu, CA Michael Baldonado, Buyer, Four Seasons-Market Street, San Francisco, CA Nanette Rapuzzi, Sommelier and Manager, Bacara Resort Bistro, Santa Barbara, CA Nicole Ippolito, Peninsula Club, Charlotte, NC Rob Thompson, Manager, Arroyo Chop House, Pasadena, CA Tim Wallace, Owner, Wine Vault, Charlotte, NC David Milligan, Vendome, Toluca Lake, CA Edwin Mamigonian, Mi Piace, Pasadena, CA Simon Shamoun, Tarzana Wine & Spirits, Tarzana, CA Wendy Keefer, Cellar Experience, Charleston, SC Scott Evans, Henry Wine Group, Benicia, CA Robin Puricelli, Dolphin Bay Resort & Spa, Pismo Beach, CA Laurie Sutton, Malibu Beach Inn, Malibu, CA "Everything here has a purpose," Doug Ayres explained of his comfortable yet inspired Allegretto Vineyard Resort. " We have a site I like to call a rare phenomenon: the soils of Bordeaux and the warmth of Napa." proclaimed Daniel Daou, winemaker and proprietor of DAOU Vineyards & Winery.