“PROTECTED BY ANGELS”

By Lynn and Steve Templeman

If you enjoy great hospitality in a classic Victorian residence visit The Gate House Inn in Jackson. The sedate country setting and its amenities are conducive to relaxation and yet it is convenient to many of Amador’s treasures.

The house was built in 1902 for Victorio Chichizola whose family made their wealth from a mercantile business and a lumber mill supplying gold miners. Victorio wanted to build a residence on the family homestead in Jackson on the scale of those grand Victorian homes like the ones in San Francisco. The parquet floor in the living and dining room was manufactured in Italy from three woods and shipped over for installation. Its $10,000 price tag would build a very luxurious home in those days. The home has been updated through the years while retaining its historic character. Chichizola House is included in the Federal Register of Historic Places.

The house stayed in the Chichizola family until 1966, then converted to a Bed and Breakfast in 1981 with several owners over the years. In 1993, previous owners started the theme of the inn, “Protected by Angels” and had a life-size mural of an angel painted on the side of the house. You can find angel images in every shape and form throughout the house and gardens.

Dave and Jamie Ciardella have been the proprietors of Gate House Inn since 2005. They provide distinguished hospitality not often found elsewhere.

We were enjoying some quiet afternoon time out by the pool when Jamie surprised us with her special pomegranate punch!

This was one of many examples of hospitality and small touches to delight the guests and make their stay special. An extensive selection of appetizers and wines are served from 4:30 to 6:30 P.M.

There are five rooms ranging from $155 to $195 per night, each with unique antique décor, air conditioning and private bath. The Woodhaven Suite is a two-room suite that sleeps four. We stayed in the Summer House, a 400 square foot private cottage with authentic Victorian furnishings. Some of its amenities include a gas log stove, Jacuzzi for two, robes, stall shower, a historic chandelier, fresh flowers, and refrigerator stocked with cool drinks.

The one-acre grounds at Gate House Inn are nothing short of spectacular. An ornamental garden includes over 200 roses and other flowers. Fruit trees, vegetable and herb gardens abound around the expansive lawns. The symphony of horticulture attracts numerous birds with at least 21 different birds seen including woodpeckers, finches and even wild turkeys.

Gate House Inn provides what we call “relaxing stimulation”. The curious person will find so many interesting things in the house, in the gardens and in the historic neighborhood to stimulate their interest. The active person will find a solar-heated swimming pool, a bocce ball court, ping-pong, darts, and any number of card and board games.

Gate House Inn is centrally located to many Amador area attractions. There are many wineries, historic sites, shopping, limestone caves and great dining just a few short minutes away.

Guests fill out a food preference card the previous evening. Private breakfast room service is available upon request.

Hospitality and luxury are prominent at the gourmet champagne breakfast where fresh produce and herbs from the garden are used as much as possible. The three or four-course candlelit meal is elegantly served on a different set of fine china each day. The first morning we started out breakfast with a granola parfait with fresh blueberries, homemade scones, frittata and Angel French Toast garnished with an edible flower. A special dessert was a nice ending to a wonderful breakfast. The next day the menu consisted of a tropical parfait, Eggs Benedict with asparagus spears, Napoleon pastry and scones.

Gate House Inn has it all--location, facility, grounds, hospitality and delicious food. They can serve as a destination retreat for anniversaries, family events, reunions or that romantic getaway. There is a group getaway special to “take over” and rent the entire facility

Be sure to have Jaime tell you the amazing story about the angels and the antique rug.

Gate House Inn is located 2 miles north of Jackson at 1330 Jackson Gate Road. Reservations can be made at 800-841-1072. Their very informative website is www.GateHouseInn.com.