wineries and tasting rooms
Bargetto Winery Tasting Room
Bargetto operates Monterey’s oldest tasting room and has garnered high praise from oenophiles for its full line of dinner and specialty dessert wines. Call for tour information. 700 Cannery Row, Suite L, Monterey, 373-4053.
Baywood Cellars
Winemaker John Cotta has more than 20 years of experience producing wine in California. His knowledge of Old World techniques combined with up-to-date winemaking technology give Baywood Cellars the bottling capacity of up to 150 bottles per minute. Open daily 1pm-6pm. 381 Cannery Row, Suite C, Monterey, 645-9035.
Bernardus Winery
Bernardus’ wine tasting room is located in the heart of Carmel Valley Village. Beautiful color photographs of its upper Carmel Valley vineyard and winery adorn the walls. All the vintage wines sell out quickly. Tastings daily, 11am-5pm. 5 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley Village, 659-1900.
Blackstone Winery
This Monterey County tasting room encourages visitors to picnic on the grounds as they enjoy a bottle of limited release wine. The winery hosts tours and events and even offers a private VIP dining room. 800 S. Alta St., Gonzales, 675-5341.
Boëté
The lime-enriched soil of John and Jana Saunders’ Carmel Valley vineyard yields Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet Francs of notable complexity and minerality. A terroir-seeker’s dream. Tastings Thursday through Sunday at Valley Hills Wine Tasting, Valley Hills Center, 7156A Carmel Valley Rd., 625-5040.
Chalone Vineyard
This rustic and isolated winery is set high above the Salinas Valley, affording views of the Gabilan Mountains and the vineyards. Recommended wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc. Tastings on Saturday and Sunday and by appointment Monday through Friday. Stonewall Canyon and Highway 146, Soledad, 678-1717.
Chateau Christina
Frank Joyce has been hand-making small batches of the area’s best Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet since he decided to scale back his dentistry practice and ramp up his winery. Limited production, mostly local distribution and great quality have distinguished Chateau Christina for the past few years. 60 Via Milpitas, Carmel Valley, 659-0312.
Chateau Julien
Beautiful stained glass and antiques adorn Chateau Julien’s wine tasting room. Built in the style of a French country chateau, the building’s great hall with its cathedral ceiling adds a touch of elegance. Tasting room open daily. Tours by reservation only. 8940 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley, 624-2600.
Cima Collina
Cima Collina’s handcrafted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot are on pour at this art gallery and wine-tasting bar in downtown Carmel. Most of the wines originate on three unique Salinas Valley vineyards. Open Thursday through Monday. San Carlos between Ocean and Seventh, Carmel, 620-0645.
Galante Vineyards
Vineyards, thousands of roses and grazing cattle make Galante’s 700-acre property a unique place to have a picnic, hold an event or taste the very limited estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Tastings daily at the Carmel-by-the-Sea tasting room. Dolores between Ocean and Seventh, Carmel, 624-3800.
Georis Winery
Georis’ relaxing Carmel Valley tasting room and shady courtyard offer intriguing vintages, fine furniture and an irresistible array of books and gifts. 4 Pilot Rd., Carmel Valley, 659-1050.
Heller Estates
Heller Estates Vineyards offers award-winning organic estate-bottled Cabernet, as well as Merlot, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Heller is truly a local wine “ its grapes are grown in the Cachagua region of the Carmel Valley. Try the Chenin Blanc. Tasting room at 69 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley Village, (800) 625-8466.
Joullian Vineyards
This small, quality producer in the classical Joseph de Maria stone building specializes in estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Winery tours by appointment, tastings daily. 2 Village Dr., Suite A, Carmel Valley, 659-8100.
Lockwood Vineyards
Located at the southernmost tip of Monterey County in San Lucas, Lockwood Vineyards produces some very notable wines, including its Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot offerings. You can sample Lockwood wines at either of the Taste of Monterey sites (see below); 1-800-753-1424 for other locations.
Manzoni Estate Vineyard
Low-yield production techniques translate to well-regarded, fruit-intensive Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. The new tasting room is open on weekends. 3.5 miles south of Gonzales on River Rd., Salinas, 675-3398.
Marilyn Remark
Following a trip to France, Joel Burnstein and his wife, Marilyn Remark, decided to try their hand at creating some of California’s best Rhone-style wines. Expertly crafted Marsanne, Roussanne, Rose, Grenache and Syrah wines are the attention-getting result. The tasting room is open weekends only. 645 River Rd., Salinas, 455-9310.
Paraiso Vineyards
The Smith family, led by Richard, has been on the Monterey County wine scene for over three decades. Home to one of the most picturesque and profound wine properties in the revered Santa Lucia Highlands, Paraiso, under current winemaker David Fleming (Rich’s son-in-law), continues to turn out top-quality Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Riesling. 38060 Paraiso Springs Rd. (off River Road), Soledad, 678-0300.
Parsonage Village Vineyard
Bill and Mary Ellen Parsons produce their estate-grown Cabernets, Syrahs and Merlots from nine acres of prime sun-drenched Carmel Valley land. The result is wines of exceptional flavor and intensity. Tasting at Valley Hills Wine Tasting, Valley Hills Center, 7156A Carmel Valley Rd., 625-5040.
Pessagno
Stephen Pessagno’s acclaimed wines are grown in Monterey and neighboring San Benito counties. Look for the Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay and the Garys’ Vineyard Pinot Noir, both grown in the Santa Lucia appellation. Pessagno’s port is excellent, too. Tastings Fri-Sun. 1645 River Rd., Salinas, 675-9463.
San Saba
Nestled in the Santa Lucia Highlands, San Saba Vineyards has been making award-winning Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines in very limited quantities since 1981. San Saba wines are known to be complex and distinctive. Second label Bocage uses only estate-grown grapes and has a fresh, easy-to-drink style. Tasting room open daily at 35801 Foothill at River Rd., Soledad, 678-2992.
Scheid Vineyards
Since 1972, the Scheid family has grown premium wine grapes and produced superb Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines exemplify the best marriage of land, climate and wine-making expertise. Tours by appointment. 1972 Hobson, Greenfield, 386-0316.
Silver Mountain
Established in 1979, Silver Mountain Vineyards produces robust and complex world-class wines from organic grapes. The tasting room offers all current releases and also contains a gallery of artwork as well as a collection of antique silver. Located across from the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa on Cannery Row, the tasting room is open every day. 381 Cannery Row, Monterey, 644-9609.
Smith & Hook/ Hahn Estates
Two prime local wineries offer their vino in an elegant wine tasting room. Tours by appointment. Sample excellent wines while enjoying beautiful views of the Salinas Valley. Smith & Hook’s Cabernets are hearty and delicious. Tasting room open daily. 37700 Foothill, Soledad, 678-2132.
Talbott Vineyard
Its winery is tucked away in the far-off Santa Lucia Highlands, so Talbott opened its first local tasting room in March of 1999. Antiques and gift items are for sale, and small parties can be accommodated. Tastings daily. 53 W. Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel Valley Village, 659-3500.
Ventana Vineyards
Located in an old stone ranch house just minutes from downtown Monterey, the Ventana tasting room offers a full selection of award-winning wines. Recommended wines: Gold Medal Chardonnays and Rieslings, award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah. 2999 Highway 68, Monterey, 372-7415.
Wines of Carmel
Paul Stokes and Lynn Sakasegawa, the husband-and-wife team behind Wines of Carmel, make Chardonnay and Cabernet grown on their property high in the hills above Carmel Valley. Small production, careful techniques and a lot of love go into this truly local wine. Post Office Box 1277, Carmel Valley, 659-0750.
wine merchants
A Taste of Monterey
This wine visitors’ center pours selections from over 70 local wineries. Visitors can choose from two tastings featuring 15 different wines each day, and 200 different Monterey County wines are for sale. A good starting point for a wine tour of Monterey County. Tour information, maps and brochures available. 700 Cannery Row, Monterey, 646-5446; 127 Main St., Oldtown Salinas, 751-1980. Open daily 11am-5pm.
Ag Venture Tours
This tour company offers guided tours of the Salinas and Carmel valleys highlighting the county’s rich agricultural and winemaking legacy. Tours specialize in wine tasting, agricultural education and local history. Full-day tours include a picnic lunch, wine tasting fees, and transportation. 384-7686.
Bountiful Basket
This unique shop sells a variety of local and regional wines as well as world vintages. In addition to daily wine tastings, it also features fine Italian and Spanish olive oils and vinegars. 3606 The Barnyard, Suite A13, Carmel, 625-4457.
Monte Vista Wines and Spirits
A wine store with an excellent inventory of premium wines, Monte Vista offers delivery services as well as discounted prices on cases of wine. Open seven days a week. 19 Soledad Dr., Monterey, 375-2135.
PG Liquors
This full-service liquor and wine store, located in downtown Pacific Grove, delivers in the local area. Call for details. 225 Grand Ave., Pacific Grove, 375-7474.
Rancho Cellars
Rancho Cellars, located near The Barnyard shopping center, is a fine wine merchant stocked with over 1,600 premium wines from around the world. Rancho’s wine tasting bar, Cepage, offers weekly tasting events. 26340 Carmel Rancho Blvd., Carmel, 625-5646.
Surf n Sand
A local institution, “Carmel’s Finest Liquor and Wine Shop” offers friendly assistance navigating a respectable inventory of premium wines. Sixth and Junipero, Carmel. 624-1805.
Terranova
This purveyor of fine and rare wines from around the world is located in the heart of downtown Monterey and boasts a knowledgeable, approachable staff. 315 Calle Principal, Monterey, 333-1313.
Wine from the Heart
This owner-run store removes the intimidation factor from wine by offering a down-to-earth tasting room designed to suit all comfort levels. 241 Alvarado St., in the Plaza next to the Portola Plaza Hotel, Monterey, 641-WINE.
Wine Market
The wines are arranged and displayed not by varietal but by the type of food with which they are compatible “ beef, seafood, dessert, etc. Whatever your menu, WineMarket offers a range of appropriate choices established through more than a decade of food and wine pairing experience. 192 Country Club Gate Center, Pacific Grove, 646-0107.
Zeph’s
Specializing in Monterey County wines, this laid-back shop at the edge of Salinas hosts daily tastings and holds regular events with guest winemakers. 1366 South Main St., Salinas, 757-3947.
