High honors from the Central Coast Wine Competition and the New York International Wine Competition

—Le Vigne Winery grew from a tradition that created an award-winning, sustainably farmed winery from a place of soil and spirit. It began as a family passion for farming and ranching, raising chickens and cattle in Ramona, California, in 1968. Eventually, that passion turned to the 400-acre Rancho Roble, which the family owned in Paso Robles, and then to grapes.

Today’s Le Vigne (Italian for “the vineyard”) rose from Sylvia and Walter Filippini’s commitment to their individual family heritages. Born a half a world apart, Sylvia in California, and Walter in Italy, the couple met over a business deal in Gardena, California. Walter was a partner in the Ital Cheese Factory, and Sylvia was seeking to be the sole distributor of their products.

Before Sylvia and Walter met and wed, her father, Sylvester Feichtinger, had already planted vineyards on Rancho Roble. His first plantings were in 1982, a year before the Paso Robles AVA was established. By 1990, he had launched Sylvester Vineyards and Winery. Thirty-five years later, one of the region’s oldest family estate wineries was honored as 2025 Winery of the Year by the Central Coast Wine Competition and the 2025 Paso Robles Winery of the Year by the New York International Wine Competition.

Walter and Sylvia Filipini.

Pairing wine with romance

Walter was raised in Como, Italy, and grew up among the vineyards of Valtellina. That region is known for the nebbiolo grape, which is similar to the sangiovese, barbera, and aglianico grapes grown in California vineyards. Walter followed his passion for cooking at the Culinary Institute in San Pellegrino. In 1981, he earned first place in Italy’s National Chef’s Competition. In the mid-1980s, he was lured to California, where he soon met Sylvia.

Along with pursuing her own business and personal interests, including a passion for rescuing animals, Sylvia had a role in her father, Sylvester’s, winery, and Walter joined her in the business. By 1996, the Filippinis were managing the winery and restaurant. In 2013, they renamed it to Le Vigne.

Sylvia’s passion for rescuing animals started as a child, “Much to my mother’s dismay,” said Sylvia. The Fillippini’s personal residence near the winery is home to retired racehorses, donkeys, and some goats and sheep. “I even rescued some swan cygnets, once,” she relates. Someone called her at her home in Southern California, announcing that turtles were eating cygnets at a local lake. “So I raised four cygnets in my kitchen. We have pictures of my 6-month-old girl with the swans in her stroller.”

Buddy, the min-pin mix who was rescued from Los Angeles railroad tracks 14 years ago, can be seen trotting along behind Walter. All the aging Buddy wants is to be close to Walter. “Please don’t try to pet Buddy,” warns Sylvia. He’s losing his hearing and vision and may snap if startled.

The vineyards, the wine, and sustainability

A vision evolved from Sylvia’s commitment to her family vineyards and Walter’s superb chef skills, and roots in his family vineyards. Supported by a talented Le Vigne team, accolades from the wine industry kept pouring in.

Recently, Le Vigne Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 earned five gold medals from five competitions, including the San Diego International Wine and Spirits Challenge and the New York International Wine Competition. Other multiple medal winners include:

• Le Vigne Nikiara 2021, a Bordeaux-style blend, was awarded double gold at Toast of the Coast, and gold medals from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the Sunset International Wine Competition.
• Le Vigne Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc won a gold medal each at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Competition and Toast of the Coast.

These are only three of the award-winning wines from Le Vigne. The vineyards, the soil, climate, vineyard management, and winemaking practices all determine the quality and character of the grapes that are eventually poured into our wine glasses.

Winemaker Ben Mayo said, “I am very much involved with every aspect of the vineyards. From pruning decisions, watering schedules, fertilizer, and cover crops, as well as picking decisions.”

Mayo said vine growth and maturity are monitored consistently for the best outcomes, ensuring that the winemaking team receives the best fruit. Every harvested lot is monitored to make sure the fermentation is smooth and complete.

Le Vigne currently has 125 acres planted at two estate vineyards in the Estrella District AVA. Both vineyards benefit from alluvial soil deposited by the Estrella River and the climate of the Templeton Gap. The Domenico vineyard is two sections around the winery. The Acquarello Vineyard is located on the south bank of the Estrella River.

Le Vigne is a member of the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowers. The vineyards are sustainably farmed, supported by practices that include certified organic compost supplied on-site from restaurant, livestock, and winery waste, 17 species of cover crops, and incorporating animals into their farming practices.

Winemaker Ben Mayo.

An adventure in winetasting, lunch, and shopping

Tasting flights include the Classic Wine Tasting or the Signature Wine + Cheese Tasting. Reservations are highly recommended for group tastings.

Lunch features Chef Walter’s oven-fired pizzas, pastas, and salads. Lunch is served most weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., unless there’s a special event.

The Italian Market + Cheese Shop offers imported pastas, sauces, olive oils, salamis, and more alongside local nuts, fruits, treasures, and thoughtfully prepared frozen meals. Artisan cheeses are expertly sourced from around the world.

If Paso Robles isn’t on your itinerary, check out the Los Angeles Tasting Room & Italian Market. There is wine tasting, entertainment, charcuterie-making classes, and special guest speakers. Reserve your spot for lunch featuring Chef Walter’s paninis and shop the market for a second dessert.

Be sure to join Le Vigne’s wine club and enjoy several exclusive member perks.

Le Vigne Winery is located at 5115 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles. The Los Angeles tasting room is located at 2325 E 55th Street, in Vernon, CA. For hours, reservations, and more information, visit levignewinery.com or call Paso Robles at (805) 227-4000, or Los Angeles at (323) 689-7005.

—Jackie Iddings