Indulge in Family Hospitality and Heritage at Le Vigne Winery in Paso Robles
Dec 5, 2025Cindy Rynning Events and Travel, North America, Red Wine, Regional Wines, Rosé, Wine Reviews, Wineries
A short distance from downtown Paso Robles, in the region’s Estrella District sub-AVA, is Le Vigne Winery, a beautiful, relaxing spot with all the feels of the Old World. Awarded the 2025 Winery of the Year at California’s Central Coast Wine Competition and the 2025 Paso Robles Winery of the Year at the New York International Wine Competition, this not-so-hidden gem produces flavorful, food friendly wines that satisfy anyone’s palate.
But there’s more. Le Vigne, Italian for “the winery,” offers wine and cheese pairings along with weekend music accompanied by a lunch menu focusing on Italian favorites. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to sit down with General Manager Philip Anderson to swirl, sip, and savor as I learned more.
The property that is now Le Vigne was owned by country musician, singer, and songwriter Buck Owens when Sylvester Filippini purchased it in the 1960s. At the time Filippini raised cattle and grew hay on the working ranch. In 1982, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay vines were planted and the rest is history and an integral part of the family legacy. Now 113 acres are under vine and sustainably farmed on soils of sand, clay and loam.
All wines are estate grown and Le Vigne continues to be family-run with Sylvia Filippini as co-owner and her husband Walter Filippini as co-owner and Executive Chef. In fact, Filippini was trained at the Culinary Institute in San Pellegrino and received first place recognition in Italy’s National Chef’s Competition in 1981.
Anderson shared that wines at Le Vigne are meant to express the terroir and the characteristics of the grape with minimal intervention during the process from vine to glass. Currently, the team is participating in Paso Robles’ One Block Challenge whereby one parcel is farmed using regenerative techniques. Data is then collected and recorded to determine the possibility of moving forward with regenerative farming.
Le Vigne cultivates grape in two estate vineyards: Domenico and Acquarello.
Covering nearly 88 acres, Domenico Estate is comprised of five blocks surrounding the winery. Thanks to cool Pacific Ocean breezes wafting in from the Templeton Gap and broad diurnal shift in temperatures, premium grapes thrive. Known for a Mediterranean climate with mild winters, hot summers, minimal rainfall, and fog-filled mornings, many liken the sub-region of the Paso Robles AVA to “landscapes of Southern Italy, Greece, and the Southern Rhone Valley.”
Acquarello Vineyard of 33 acres is found northeast of the winery near the coastal foothills. There, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Petit Verdot enjoy the land’s northward slope and cool air protecting them from intense sunlight.
Each well-priced wine I tasted was delicious and paired with five unique cheeses, a second sip was an easy choice. 2024 Rose of Sangiovese ($24) burst with bright acidity and refreshing stone fruit and red berry flavors. It was even more lip-smacking with creamy Drunken Goat cheese, a semisoft Spanish cheese with sweet flavors.
A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 Cuore Della Vigna (meaning “soul of the vineyard”) ($54) was intense on the nose and palate with herbs, lush red fruit, baking spice and black olives. Iberico cheese for pairing was a salty, snappy, creamy blend of cow, goat, and sheep’s milk.
Most of the Cabernet Sauvignon in 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon di Domenico ($51) is from Le Vigne’s oldest block, planted in 1996, in the Domenico Estate Vineyard. Beautiful aromas of red currant, pepper, and tobacco led to a lush palate featuring chocolate, plums, and sage. A lingering finish complemented bites of TomaRashi cheese that offered hints of spice and heat due to its Japanese spice blend of nori, toasted sesame, poppy, hemp seeds, chili flakes, and ginger.
As a forever Syrah lover, I was impressed with 2021 Syrah di Domenico ($42). From Syrah clones originating in the Rhone Valley, this elegant wine offered notes of vanilla, chocolate, smoke, bright red fruit, raspberries, and cinnamon. Its flavorful cheese complement was Cranberry Cinnamon Chevre, a sweet meets tart sensation.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from the same block off the Domenico Estate were co-fermented and blended in 2019 Prima Luce ($74). In addition, dried stems were added to the tank during fermentation. The result was an exceptional wine featuring aromas of pomegranate, cola, orange peel, tobacco, and cinnamon. On the palate, black cherries, cocoa, and dates were framed with powerful tannins and just-right acidity. Piave Oro del Tempo, an Italian cows milk cheese, offered flavors of nuts and herbs-a brilliant pairing.
Of course, more wines showcasing the diversity of Le Vigne were poured (and I was quite happy about that). 2021 AmeRhone di Domenico Estate Vineyard ($51) was a rich, concentrated blend of Corvina, Syrah, and Petite Sirah. Cherries, cranberries, and juicy strawberries on the nose led to a tangy palate rife with green tea notes, allspice, cloves and cinnamon. Bright acidity and solid tannic structure completed the delicious snapshot.
Le Vigne’s Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot had my name written right on it! 2021 Nikiara ($54) is the winery’s flagship wine; the name refers to Niki and Kiara, the two children of Walter Filippini and Sylvia Filippini. On the nose, bright cherries, chocolate shavings, and spice eased into a palate profile with dark plums, black cherries, earth, and leather on a foundation of firm tannins and brilliant acidity.
From the Acquarello Vineyard was 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve ($66) aged in specially selected barrels for an additional year as compared to its non-reserve equivalent. Chocolate and plum notes wafted from the glass and flavors of crushed cranberries, baking spices and oak followed. Soft tannins framed this noteworthy wine.
Our final taste was of 2019 Patria ($75), a Super Tuscan blend, Paso Robles style. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Sangiovese showcased aromas of fresh violets, red berries, cedar and licorice. Notes of cherries, juicy raspberries, vanilla and cocoa framed with well integrated tannins were absolute perfection. Cue the Italian food bonanza!
Besides offering award winning wines in a relaxed, kick-back setting, Le Vigne has winemaker dinners, occasional blending seminars, weekend events, and of course their Italian focused lunches on weekends. I can’t wait to return to Le Vigne Winery with friends and family and explore more of their hospitality and heritage. Hope to see you there!
Cheers~ Cindy