Like everything at Allegretto Vineyard Resort dining at  the Cello Ristorante & Bar was a memorable experience.  Service was impeccable with our waiter Patrick Joynt guiding us through a menu that Executive Chef Justin Picard presents as thoroughly Mediterranean.  My dining partner and I shared a Heirloom Tomato Caprise salad which arrived with Italian Mozzarella di Bufala and grilled bread.  Our entrees were for my dining partner the Australian Lamb Rack with roasted sweet potatoes and a Pomegranate Demi-glace  while I chose the nine ounce Angus beef filet mignon which came with roasted garlic smashed Yukon gold potato and Horseradish Mascarpone.
We had the opportunity to chat with Chef Justin and learned of his interesting  background in the culinary arts
Allegretto has its own winery and that evening  our wine was  Allegretto 2014 Zinfandel from the Paso Robles appellation that well showed its 18 months French aging.
Two of our visits to wineries included luncheon.  At Niner Wine Estates we first enjoyed a tour of the winery with Katie Bruce while the harvest and crush was still making it a very busy scene.  In the vineyards some grapes where still being picked and in the winery we watched as Malbec grapes were being crushed and then placed in steel tanks.  Estate varietals include Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot noir, Malbec, Merlot, Grenache, Sangiovese and Petite Sirah.
At Niner both the Tasting Room is large and comfortable while the dining facilities include an exhibition kitchen and both inside and patio seating.  Our lunch included  pea soup then pan seared scallops for my dining partner and the grilled flat iron steak for me.
The  Dining Room is open for lunch Thursday thru Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. with a Brunch offered on Sunday as well
Niner Wine Estates is located at 2400 Highway 46 West, Paso Robles, Ca 93446, Telephone 239-2233, web  www.ninerwine.com.
At Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery we met with Catherine Jaeger, marketing manager, who led us through their spacious and scenic Hospitality Center.  Adjacent is the Vina Robles Amphitheater where concerts are held from Spring to Fall.  Located just off Highway 46 East the winery is surrounded by its many vineyards, all with individual names. Under the charge of Winemaker Kevin Willenborg a new winery, with much new state of the art equipment, was completed  this Spring.
Part of Hospitality Center is devoted to the Club Lounge, available to Signature members and here we enjoyed lunch with Catherine.  Here too Signature members have invites to special parties and events.
Vina Robles is located at 3700 Mill Road, Paso Robles, Ca. 93446, Telephone 805 227-4812, web www.vinarobles.com.