Le Vigne Winery, Italian Heritage and California Hospitality, From Paso Robles to Los Angeles
​September 22, 2026

It might be an overused phrase, “a hidden gem”, but in this case, it is very true. Le Vigne Winery, out of Paso Robles, has a tasting room in Los Angeles, in the city of Vernon, in a mostly industrial area. Here, amid rustic Italian decor, wine and cheese is the holy grail, with over two dozen different wines, it’s an altar to the alchemy of food and wine.

Sylvia and Walter Filippini, Courtesy of Le Vigne Winery

​Over forty years ago, Le Vigne Winery took root in Paso Robles, when Walter Filippini and his wife, Sylvia, planted the first vines, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, on what was Sylvia’s family ranch, where cattle was king. Named Le Vigne, Italian for “The Vineyard”, the Filippinis built a family-run winery with all estate-grown wines, rooted in their Italian heritage. Their mission statement, “Heritage, Hard Work, and Hospitality”, took flight, and today, 113 acres of vines populate two distinct vineyards, giving rise to 27 different estate wines, quite the cornucopia!

Domenico Estate Vineyard, Courtesy of Le Vigne Winery

​The Domenico Estate Vineyard, which consists of five blocks surrounding the winery, is a perfect cradle for grape varieties that thrive in a Mediterranean climate. With the cool Pacific Ocean breezes coming through the Templeton Gap and diurnal temperature swings, plus add foggy mornings and minimal rainfall, you’ve got a recipe for successful premium grape growing.

Acquarello Vineyard, Courtesy of Le Vigne Winery

The Acquarello Vineyard is northwest of the winery, near the coastal foothills, named after the Estrella River’s “watercolor” effect on the landscape. Here, young plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Petit Verdot thrive, protected from Paso Robles’ intense heat and sunlight during the growing season, by its northward slope and cooler air.

Le Vigne is farming these vineyards sustainably, with compost, organic fertilizers, and cover crops that build a healthy soil. Using other methods, such as animals, no-till farming, and regenerative farming practices, the Filippinis are committed to farming for the future.

Chef Walter Filippini at work, Courtesy of Le Vigne Winery

​But now, back to the force of nature that is Walter Filippini. As Executive Chef and Co-Owner, Walter channeled his passion for gastronomy into a hub for hospitality. Raised in Como, Italy, he grew up among the vineyards of Valtellina, then honed that passion at the Culinary Institute in San Pellegrino. In 1981, he earned first place in Italy’s National Chef’s Competition. Walter brought his love of food along in his wine journey, establishing Le Vigne Winery in Paso Robles, alongside Sylvia.

Le Vigne Winery tasting room in Vernon, with Los Angeles

Le Vigne Isabella Sparkling Sangiovese Blanc de Noirs

Phillip Anderson, General Manager of Le Vigne Winery

​The LA Wine Writers were invited to experience what Le Vigne is all about, at their LA tasting room. Greeted with the Le Vigne Isabella Sparkling Sangiovese Blanc de Noirs, named after Walter and Sylvia’s granddaughter Isabella, it was a delicate and delicious introduction, with aromas of peach, crème fraîche, and brioche, silky and balanced in the mouth. While Walter cooked for us, General Manager Phillip Anderson detailed the Filippinis wine journey, Le Vigne being one of Paso Robles’ oldest estate wineries, while we made our way through nine wines, along with delicious dishes.

Le Vigne Rosa Maria Sparkling Sangiovese Brut Rosé with Ube Chèvre

Le Vigne di Domenico Chardonnay with Président Bucherondin Goat Cheese

Le Vigne di Domenico Nero d'Avola with Castello Aged Havarti

Le Vigne Sogni di Leo with Armenian String Cheese

Le Vigne Domenico Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 with Piave Oro del Tempo

​Starting with Le Vigne’s signature tasting experience, we navigated through five cheese and wine pairings. What a revelation! The Ube Chèvre, a vibrant purple goat cheese, sweet and nutty, was magical alongside the Le Vigne Rosa Maria Sparkling Sangiovese Brut Rosé. The Président Bucherondin goat cheese with a bloomy rind blossomed with the Le Vigne di Domenico Chardonnay. The Castello Aged Havarti, fascinating with its salty crystals and smooth texture, and bold, slightly sweet flavor that finishes sharp, really channeled the Italian essence of Le Vigne di Domenico Nero d’Avola. The Armenian String Cheese, smooth and nutty, let the Le Vigne Sogni di Leo shine, an elegant, structured and savory red blend of 36% Cabernet Franc, 36% Petit Verdot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Merlot, named for Walter’s grandson, Leo. The Piave Oro del Tempo, with its nutty flavor and similarity to Parmigiano Reggiano, rocked the Le Vigne Domenico Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, the old vine fruit providing a perfect backdrop for the salty crunch, nuttiness and caramel notes of the cheese.

Courtesy of Peacock Cheese

Courtesy of Peacock Cheese

It seems that this love of wine and cheese runs in the family. Peacock Cheese, originally a small family-owned dairy that went into business in 1946, known as Dairy Fresh, employed Sylvia’s father, Sylvester, when he first came to California. Sylvester eventually bought the company, renaming it Peacock Cheese, which has evolved into a renowned California supplier of exceptional gourmet cheese from all over the world. For the past forty years, Peacock Cheese has provided outstanding cheeses to specialty food retailers, restaurants, hotels, and cruise lines, making it the oldest family-owned cheese import and distribution company in California. Now, Peacock Cheese is an integral part of Le Vigne’s signature tasting experience. The Cheesemonger meets with General Manager Phillip Anderson once a month, to create fascinating cheese pairings for the tasting rooms. Monthly, these pairings change, revealing new tasting sensations, paired with Le Vigne’s many wines. As a bonus, the cheeses are available for purchase, so that you can recreate the wine and cheese experience at home

Our first Chef Walter dish, a Pesto Veggie Lasagna, paired with the Le Vigne Rosa Bianca di Sangiovese, unbelievably delicious! Expressive and bright, this Rosé has aromas of raspberry and strawberry rhubarb, and flavors of peach and pomegranate, with a touch of vanilla from aging in neutral oak barrels.

Comparing Acquarello and Domenico Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the same vintage year, 2019

​The main entrée, Rare Beef Au Jus with Sauteed Vegetables and Potato Cake, was served with the Le Vigne Acquarello Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, the food outstanding, and Walter proving how he earned Italy’s Top Chef so many years ago. Comparing the two vineyards’ Cabernet Sauvignon from the same year showed the depth that old vines bring to a wine. The Domenico Vineyard Cabernet is complex and layered, with dark fruit, black pepper, tobacco, leather and cedar notes, a hint of mocha on a long and persistent finish. While the Acquarello Vineyard Cabernet has more acidity, blackberry and cranberry fruit, spice and nutmeg notes, and a dark chocolate-covered cherry essence on the palate.

​For dessert, a Custard-filled Cream Puff dusted with Powdered Sugar, sitting in a Cabernet Sauvignon reduction sauce, served alongside the Le Vigne Nikiara, named for two of Walter and Sylvia’s children, Niki and Kiara. A Bordeaux blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Petit Verdot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot, it’s an intense, earthy wine, with vibrant red fruit on the nose, and plum and black cherry on the palate, with a note of leather. It’s seemingly more powerful, with it’s grippy tannins and structure.

Le Vigne Winery, Paso Robles, Courtesy of Le Vigne Winery

Barrel Room at Le Vigne Winery, Courtesy of Le Vigne Winery

Over the past few decades, Le Vigne’s Paso Robles ranch has become a highly acclaimed winery. Last year, Le Vigne was honored as the 2025 Paso Robles Winery of the Year by the New York International Wine Competition, and now in 2026, as USA Winery of the Year by the London Wine Competition. Most of the wines we tasted have won multiple medals in many different wine competitions.

Paso Robles wine tasting at Le Vigne Winery, Courtesy of Le Vigne Winery

​At the Paso Robles property, there are many ways to experience Le Vigne wines, outdoor spaces where you can explore the vineyards, and inside, a tasting bar along with a Italian market and cheese shop. On weekends, a selection of Chef Walter’s oven-fired pizzas, pastas and salads are available during lunch.

​But, you don’t have to travel to Paso Robles to experience what Le Vigne offers. The Vernon outpost offers lunch Wednesday-Sunday, with Chef Walter’s paninis, their signature wine and cheese pairings during their hours of operation, and many other special events throughout the year, such as live music, charcuterie classes, and comedy shows, to mention a few. They also have an Italian market with a selection of pastas, sauces, olive oils, and even some frozen meals to take home.

Chef Walter Filippini with his dog, "Buddy"

On Le Vigne’s website, it states, “In Paso Robles, where the land runs deep with character and stories age as gracefully as the wines”, it seems a fitting tribute to Walter and Sylvia Filippini, and the winery they created, “grounded in the same values: heritage, hard work, and hospitality.” Truly a hidden gem in LA, Le Vigne Winery's Los Angeles Tasting Room & Italian Market is a must visit, their wine and cheese pairings will blow your mind!

Le Vigne Winery Los Angeles Tasting Room & Italian Market, ​https://www.levignewinery.com/los-angeles-tasting-room