Image: Ron Aarons
In mid-September, Westlake Village will get a new coffeehouse and winery as construction wraps up on The Stonehaus. Designed to evoke a charming Italian country house, The Stonehaus is currently under construction on the grounds of the Westlake Village Inn.
The Stonehaus will function as a combo café with wine tasting room during the day and switch to a tasting room by night. An acre of land nearby is dedicated to growing Cabernet, Cabernet Franc and Syrah grapes. The grapes are expected to generate approximately 200 cases a year, with Pacific Ridge Vineyards making the wine. Inn owner John Notter proposed creating a vineyard on the hotel grounds when the idea of creating a winery was first discussed.
“That’s how the whole concept started,” said Chris Cuilty, chief operating officer for the adjoining boutique hotel. “You can come and visit the property and feel like you’re in Tuscany.”
The new structure was designed by Aarons Architects of Westlake Village and features a nearby 15 by 30-foot waterfall.
According to Cuilty, the Westlake Village Inn is ideally located near residential neighborhoods and is “pedestrian friendly” with pathways leading into the vineyard. During the day, visitors can enjoy private-label coffee, teas, homemade pastries and free internet access at The Stonehaus and then in the afternoon and evenings, the building transitions into a wine tasting room. A wine membership program and wine tasting classes are also in the works.
The Stonehaus will have a “soft opening,” according to Cuilty, who added, “We don’t want to open with a lot of fanfare. We just want people to come in and have a great experience.”
Notter said, “We’re extremely excited about the addition of The Stonehaus. There is nothing that compares to this in Southern California.”
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