Purchasing a Home in Paso Robles Wine Country
Buying a home in Paso Robles wine country is a decision you’re not likely to regret. From cascading hills to gorgeous sunsets all nestled in the heart of California’s grape-laden vineyards, Paso Robles is a wine lover's paradise.
The first decision you need to make when planning to buy a house in Paso Robles is how committed are you to wine? Many people love the idea of being close to wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms. That doesn't mean they want to be up at night worrying about next year's crop. Others are interested in owning a small operation that can supply some wine to friends and family each year. Still, others are looking to jump in with both feet and create the next great commercial winery.
You need to do the proper amount of due diligence depending on the scope of your property needs. Here are some tips on buying a home or property in Paso Robles organized by how deep into the wine industry you plan to go.
I want a home close to the wineries and vineyards
This is a goal for many wine lovers. You want a place to hang your hat on long weekends and holidays
or maybe you are relocating to wine country. Winemaking or managing a vineyard is not in your plans.
We suggest you focus primarily on the layout and location of your house or condo in a case like this. You should note that Paso Robles real estate is fairly pricey even if you aren't looking for a vineyard estate. The popularity of this beautiful wine region attracts buyers from all over California and around the world. That means you are competing against other willing buyers in most cases.
The purchase transaction for a standard home in Paso is similar to purchases elsewhere. You are not getting into specialized agricultural loans or business lending. We think the most important thing to consider is the home layout and location.
You should seek out a good local realtor and a California based lender to help you through the purchase process.
Where to buy?
If you want to walk to restaurants and tasting rooms, find a place close to downtown Paso Robles or the town center in nearby Templeton. Downtown Paso has a good number of dining options, a movie theater and plenty of wine tasting rooms. You can easily spend a weekend near town and never get into
your car.
For a more suburban feel, you can look at the neighborhoods east of the 101. There is a good concentration of mid-sized homes that are a short drive from a number of wineries. The downtown area is also easily accessible from these neighborhoods.
Looking for more rural beauty and isolation in a Paso Robles home? We suggest you look at the areas west of the 101. There aren't a lot of options as you move towards the coast, but you can find some cabins with beautiful views. There are also some massive estates on the West Side if that is what you are aiming for. These are geared more toward someone looking to get into the wine industry.
For a slightly more affordable community nearby Paso Robles, you can consider San Miguel. This town gives you easy access to the wineries but is far enough away that prices are generally lower.
What Features Will You Want In A Paso Robles Home?
A Wine Cellar
You live in wine country now! Time to start or expand that collection of goodness. Whether you’re giving a new home to an established collection of brag-worthy vintages or you’re building the foundation of a brand new one, you’ll be so glad you opted for a home with a quality cellar. If you can’t find a home with a wine cellar, at least be sure to have a designated space for wine storage. Make sure your wine will be secure and well-protected so you can enjoy it for years to come and leave some space to grow into as you continue to build your collection.
A Great Room
No wine country home would be complete without a great room. This is the room where guests mix and mingle while enjoying your wine and food offerings. This space should be large, open, and conducive to movement and socialization. Don’t fill this space with large furniture or clunky decor. Instead, allow your guests to flow through the space as easily as wine flows from a bottle.
Outdoor Entertainment Space
California wine country is as gorgeous as landscapes come. Fortunately, the weather is so pleasant you can enjoy it all year long. Make sure not to limit your social space to the inside of your home! Look for houses that have spacious outdoor areas suitable for dining, entertaining, and wine sampling. All the better if there’s room to walk, take in the sunset, and explore the area a bit.
A Cozy Space
The great room is a necessary component of any wine country home, but so is a cozy spot to nestle by the fire in. Temperatures in wine country can take a surprising tumble at night, so it’s good to have a warm, cozy place where your guests (or you and a special someone) can stay warm and keep the evening going. This room should feature intimate seating arrangements centered around a focal point, ideally a fireplace.
Room to Grow
Literally, you should have a garden! Most wine country communities are committed to being resourceful, ecologically mindful, and environmentally responsible. It’s not uncommon to find vegetable and flower gardens in Paso Robles. There’s nothing quite like pairing the perfect wine with food grown in your own garden. It’s a rustic touch that you and your guests will appreciate, and it’s a wonderful way to connect with the earth, as well.
I Want To Make Wine Or Grow Grapes
This is an entirely different process when you decide buying a home in Paso Robles means owning a vineyard or winery. Now you will be competing with high-end buyers from places like Silicon Valley and Orange County. For many wealthy buyers, owning a piece of property in Paso Robles is a passion project or second career. The cost of the purchase is almost secondary to finding the perfect location.
What Do I Need To Know About The Purchase Process
When you are buying a vineyard, you need to know about agricultural lending programs. Unlike the purchase we described above, a vineyard purchase is outside the normal lending process for homes.
Agricultural Loans
When you are purchasing a Paso Robles property that is meant for grape growing, you will need to find an agricultural loan. These are a specialized subset of home/business loans. There is a process for applying. You will need to get an appraisal down on the existing vineyards. If not vineyards exist, you will need to have a qualified appraiser review the land. They will look at the quality of the site and determine what future grape harvests will be worth.
Here is a good article that goes more in-depth on the process of applying for an ag loan.
It is even more critical that you find a qualified realtor when you are purchasing a vineyard and winery. These are not common transactions for most realtors, so you need someone who has a track record of closing these types of sales.
In Conclusion
You’ll love Paso Robles wine country from the minute you lay eyes on it. However, be sure to choose a home that will cater to your new lifestyle, as well. Whether you’ve been entertaining for years or you’re looking for a change, wine country life is set apart from the hustle and bustle of the ordinary world in the best way. Looking for homes that include the key features listed above will help you experience everything that life in wine country has to offer. In the end, you’ll have a beautiful space where you can grow your wine collection, your own vegetables, and, most importantly, your friendships and connection to the community.
