Along with sea otters, golf and beaches, you can add wine tasting to the list of reasons to visit Monterey County. Monterey’s wine activity mostly centers around Carmel Valley, but you can sample the appellation around the region at these tasting rooms.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Huge picture book windows make the indoor venue and its polished stone bar and lounge seating feel outdoors (there’s also a small patio). Fun and dynamic wines like the estate Russell Vineyard chardonnay populate a list of five tastes. The cozy cottage opens up to downtown, and Sundays even feature acoustic tunes from local musicians. Dogs are welcome here! They even appear on the labels of the blends.
This tasting room can claim one of the region’s few winemakers under 40, and fewer still who are Latinx. Miguel Lepe’s gift for the craft — and range with which he applies it — are revealed by a flight of four pours skirting from a bright Monterey chardonnay to a peppery grenache to a savory San Antonio Valley zinfandel. A nice bonus: The modest and stylish tasting surface shares space with one of Carmel’s cooler art galleries.
This all-estate winery sources from its nearby vineyards to craft elegant takes on the Monterey classics. Chardonnay and pinot noir lead the charge in the signature flight, with charcuterie available to add on. Indulge in the legacy flight to try the vineyard’s pride, their “Fidelity” line, harvested from a single block in Sleepy Hollow Vineyard — but not before a splash of brut to start and a nibble from included cheese pairings.
Carmel Valley
The first ever opened in Carmel Valley Village, Bernardus Winery’s tasting room came to be in 1994 when founder Ben Pon was inspired to create a red wine to equal Bordeaux’s finest. Whether sipping from their sunny outdoor patio or indoors at the wine counter, visitors can enjoy their portfolio of pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and, of course, their Bordeaux blend — available in flights or one of the elevated tasting experiences.
In the heart of Carmel Valley Village, Holman Ranch Tasting Room’s charming space invites you to explore the unique flavors of its pinot-forward portfolio. Small-plate pairings like charcuterie are available, and there’s even live entertainment on the weekend. And for an even richer tasting experience, add on Holman Ranch’s extra-virgin olive oil.
Idiosyncratic wines, made through sensible farming on remote and hilly landscapes. Interested in finding historic vineyards to extract distinct flavor, owner Ian Brand has forged an innovative approach to winemaking — which in 2018 won him the designation “Winemaker of the Year” by San Francisco Chronicle. I. Brand is just one label under the vineyard’s domain, and their varieties span cabernets, grenaches, syrah and beyond. The tasting room evokes a clean, modern feel, and there are both indoor and outdoor tastings available.
Idiosyncratic wines, made through sensible farming on remote and hilly landscapes. Interested in finding historic vineyards to extract distinct flavor, owner Ian Brand has forged an innovative approach to winemaking — which in 2018 won him the designation “Winemaker of the Year” by San Francisco Chronicle. I. Brand is just one label under the vineyard’s domain, and their varieties span cabernets, grenaches, syrah and beyond. The tasting room evokes a clean, modern feel, and there are both indoor and outdoor tastings available.
Named after a 100-year-old vine from co-owner Julie Ruiz’s childhood vineyard, Twisted Roots’ dedication to the craft of winemaking runs deep. Their tasting room welcomes guests into a newly renovated and dog-approved patio, or the chic interior lounge, to try their catalog of small-lot, handcrafted wines. You can even try the “1918” zinfandel, with grapes from century-old vines.
Monterey
Located on Cannery Row, Bargetto Winery’s Monterey Tasting Room offers indoor and outdoor tasting and the choice among three tasting flights, including a selection of meads. Their wines are known to be rich in flavor given the cool climate of their vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains estate. With the tasting room’s prime location, it makes a fine stop for a post-aquarium pause.
“Small winery, BIG wines” is the tagline at this inviting tasting room in downtown Monterey. More than just an opportunity to experience bold wines from a range of Monterey appellations, the Comanche Cellars Tasting Room also boasts tasty cheese and charcuterie boards, plus frequent events like a weekly Wednesday Bingo Night.
