Early one morning in 2007, Doug drove north from his home in Newport Beach to Paso Robles to look at several properties he had in mind to fulfill his dream of owning a vineyard. He stopped at the first property on his list and parked outside the closed gate. When the current owner eventually came out to get his mail, he found Doug asleep in his car on the opposite side of the gate and asked, "What are you doing parked in my driveway?" Doug responded, "Well, I'm interested in buying your property." After a long friendly discussion, they shook hands and struck a deal right there at the mailbox.
Doug named the estate HammerSky Vineyards after his two sons, Hamilton and Skyler – nicknamed Hammer and Sky. Truly a unique and picturesque property, Doug tastefully enhanced the historic site to be a working winery and inn that he enjoys sharing with others.
The restored farmhouse inn boasts casual elegance. Built by Frank F. Jantzen for his family in 1904, the gleaming white house embraces its history. Despite the home’s age, its crisp black shutters, second floor balcony, cropped boxwood hedge, and refurbished interior reveal a contemporary aesthetic. The original windows incorporate views of a 300-year-old valley oak tree, affectionately known as Uncle Dan.
The HammerSky estate is graced with several beautiful, native oak and cypress trees – so captivating, that the builders of Hearst Castle requested some of the trees be moved by horse and buggy decades ago to the majestic Hearst Castle and planted next to the Neptune Pool, where they found a new home amid the vast property.