Winery Recommendations For A Good Bottle of California Wine in Monterey
Winery recommendations for a Good Bottle of Wine in Monterey County. There are 60+ wineries in this area focusing on grapes growing in cooler temperatures the coastal influence brings.
Just like our wines we are ranking wineries we’ve visited with our star system. When you see ✰++ you need to visit this winery, with a -✰, not so much. Ranked from best to least in descending order.
✰++ Odonata – Winemaker Dennis Hoey creates 39 wines ranging from Sparkling Riesling to Cabernet and all the wines you’d expect from this cool region near the coast. Located on River Road in Salinas (the southern shortcut to Monterey.) We enjoyed his Syrah, Pinot Noir, Carbonic Carignan and many others. Ask for wine host Daniella when you visit.
✰++ I. Brand & Family – Located in Carmel Valley Village, this well appointed tasting room offers a broad array of wines we’d call soft on the palate (the zone we like.) Even their Cabernet Sauvignon is softer. From their Pinot Gris, GSMs & Cabernet Franc their friendly price point is a good visit. Ask for wine host Angie, knowledgeable, gracious and a great host.
✰++ Talbott – Wonderful Pinot Noir here. In 2014 we tasted their wine again, and they continue to provide wonderful, savory wines. Their tasting room is now in downtown Carmel-By-The-Sea.
✰+ A Taste of Monterey is an ocean view tasting room hosting many of the regions wines for tasting. Located on Cannery Row you can sample 25 curated flights from sweet, to Rhone, White, Blends and local craft beer ranging from $14-$25. Located in a funky building hosting The Krakken Ride, arcade style shooting range & full body water jet massage on the 700 block of Cannery Row.
✰+ Wrath – Two tasting rooms, one on Foothill Road (at the junction of River Road) in Soledad and one downtown in Carmel Plaza at the corner of Ocean Ave. and Mission St. Check out their Pinot Noir & Syrah 3 Clone.
✰+ Scheid, Southern Salinas Valley right on Hwy 101 in town of Greenfield. They’re put money into their grounds with covered picnic tables since our last visit. Taste their Pinot Noir Clone 777 & 667.
✰+ Pessagno – Enjoyed their Zins and Syrah at their tasting room on River Road in Salinas.
✰ Heller Estate – Organic wines located in the Monterey Ocean View Wine Center, 700 Cannery Row, Ste.
✰ Boekenoogen Winery – We tasted here years ago when their tasting room was in Salinas Valley. They’re now in Carmel. Enjoyed their Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir and 3 Clones Pinot Noir on this visit too. Located in Carmel Valley Village.
✰ Chateau Julien is now Folktale Winery in Carmel.
Hahn Vineyards is unfortunately closed after E.J. Gallo purchased them. It used to be one of our favorites.