Ponte Vineyard Inn

The staff made our weekend especially memorable. Jackie was a joy at check-in, and Jessica, our waiter at Ponte Restaurant, was hilarious and attentive. It’s clearly a well-run property. The inn is gorgeous, with incredible views, and the clean, comfortable rooms have little patios. Thick doors keep things quiet, so you can sleep in. At night, bring wine to the hot tub and enjoy the stars. I can’t wait to come back.

Two things brought this experience down from five stars, though I’d return in the future because they do many things well. We stayed almost a week and our room wasn’t cleaned or maintained once. They gave us lots of property information at check-in, but didn’t explain the housekeeping policy, and eventually we just lived with it. The trash cans overflowed, which didn’t feel like five-star service. The other issue was that we couldn’t get the National College Basketball Championship on our room TV on Monday night. They said the cable was having a problem and it was showing in the hotel bar, so we went there, though we’d planned to enjoy refreshments in our room. The property itself is among the most scenic and beautifully landscaped places I’ve stayed, with mountain and vineyard views from the room and serene scenery from the patio. Hot air balloons drift quietly over the vineyards in the morning. Parking was easy, check-in was smooth with professional staff, and we got a welcome glass of wine. Staff were pleasant and helpful, and the wine tastings were lively, educational, and delicious. Our room was spacious and clean on arrival. The Cellar bar worked well for a late snack and drink. Our group lunches on the patio were buffet style and good, though the beef was overcooked and tough.

We loved spending the evening on the roomy balcony, playing cards and games beneath the night sky. It was peaceful, quiet, and just what we wanted from wine country. The property is beautiful, with California Mission-style architecture and carefully maintained grounds. Our room was large, clean, and comfortable, and the staff were warm and attentive. The complimentary tasting tickets added a lot of value. We used them at the onsite Ponte Winery tasting room and at their sister winery, BOTTAIA Winery, a short drive away. The pool was large and clean, with plenty of loungers. The poolside bar was closed during our visit because it runs seasonally, but being able to order food and drinks to the pool kept things relaxed. Dinner at The Cellar was the one disappointment. The menu seemed scattered, and the food was decent but not memorable. The atmosphere felt more like a confused sports bar than the intimate, moody cellar bar the name suggests. The concept and execution could use a rethink. Brunch the next morning was much nicer, with good food and a lovely setting outside on the terrace that suited the rest of the property. Ponte Vineyard Inn is a fantastic retreat and well worth a stay, even with The Cellar needing some work. We’ll definitely return. I’d give it 4.5 stars 😃

My son and I had a really nice brunch out on the patio. The food, service, and atmosphere were incredible, and Ryleigh, James, Bill, and Manny made it even better with five-star customer service. We’ll definitely visit again soon.