This tasting room came highly recommended based on the merits of their wine. We (5) savored customized flights depending on what we each wanted to try, which Hal then poured in the correct order while he enthusiastically told us all about Joullian. While our group's style preferences vary, everyone was impressed with the wines and our tasting room experience.
Wow what an inviting tasting room. I felt as though I had mistakenly walked into someone's living room. It is beautiful and cozy comfortable. Very upscale but not stuffy. The staff was incredibly wonderful and knowledgable of wine in general and guided me through the tasting with tidbits of information on the family, the vineyards and the tie into all the movie posters on the walls from all the movies Mr. Silvestri has written and composed. Quite an artistic wonder with the artistic driven musical passion combined with wnderful production of all his full bodied wines. A tasting room not to be missed.
Very impressive Pinot vintages. The ever so delicate grapes are grown right in the St. Lucia highlands where the cool coastal air enters through an inlet in the valley and keeps the berries cool and mild. The result is an amazing explosion of flavors that hints of fruit varietals suitable for any occasions.
The sommelier on attendance was particularly witty and knowledgeable, a fine value of entertainment for $5. The tasting room's ambiance looked affluent but nothing pretentious, we felt welcome and greeted with smiles and laughter...well, a bottle of good Pinot Noir will always produce a smile.
ix Strings Winery Wins Gold and Silver at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Gary Cornick, former professional musician and partner at Six Strings Winery comments: “We are very pleased to have our wines recognized by the judges at this prestigious wine competition. This is the third year in a row that the wines we entered won awards." The San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is the largest competition of American wines in the world. All of the wines were evaluated by an elite panel of more than 60 professional wine judges from across the country.
Nothing was extremely stand out here, and the room is very small. However, I was intrigued by the Howlin' Good Red and the donation they give to Monterrey County SPCA, so we stopped by and gave it a whirl. Caught them right before closing and had a nice tasting session. It is a pick and choose list if I remember correctly, and the ones I picked were very good but maybe priced a little too high. The Howlin' Good Red was a very good, upper middle of the road red blend, that I enjoyed enough to get a bottle.
Roar Wines is a winery located in Soledad, California. It is owned by Gary & Rosella Franscioni. The wine at Roar Wines is produced by Ed Kurtzman and Adam Lee. The winery produces the following varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah/Shiraz, and Viognier. Visiting Roar Wines you can enjoy: Barrel Room, Retail Sales, and Scenic Views. ROAR was launched in 2001 to feature Pinot Noir and Syrah from Garys', Rosella's, and Pisoni Vineyards. The label was later expanded to include Soberanes and Sierra Mar vineyards (owned by the Franscionis and Pisonis), as well as Chardonnay from both vineyards. The name "ROAR" is derived from the sound of the ocean winds that characterize the Santa Lucia Highlands. Adam and Diana Lee collaborate on the winemaking with Ed Kurtzman and Gary Franscioni.
The tasting bar was full when we got here but not packed like Napa where you have to fight your way to a spot to get tastings. The decor is very modern. For the weekend they were even giving away orchids with purchases as well as waiving the tasting fee. Nice bonus since the wine here was the favorite of the group by far. I found the wines very nice and moderately priced as well. Always a good combo!
Rusell recommended a lunch stop, which I have to say he was spot on. Make this one of your stops when in Carmel Valley.
Calling to book with Pessagno was super smooth and the tour itself was incredibly cheap! $10/person! The tour ran about 90 minutes, which included a wine tasting. The property was not big, but the personality of our tour guide Chris was huge; what a nice, generous fella!
Huge tasting room- with records playing for background music. We were told we can even bring your own '45; if the staff approves, they will play it. They also had cheese platters available with Brie, Manchego, other varieties, nuts and dried fruits.
Great Pinot Noirs, Ports and Port Varieties. This vineyard's production is low, but quality is significantly high, especially for the price point.
Carmel:
A quaint little tasting room that have big wines.
Manzoni wines have a great selection of wines for every palate.
The staff is knowledgeable and have great dining recommendations.
I especially enjoyed the Pinot Gris and Syrah (Home Vineyard).
Soledad: Manzoni turns out to have been a good stop. The valley and wine trail (aptly named River Road Wine Trail) that parallels a lazy river, offers a beautiful view of the rich agriculture in the area. The east facing vineyards overshadowed by golden Central California hills/mountains, fall colors, rich soil, framed by a peaceful farming community makes it unique and special.Small estate vineyard tasting room a few miles from the main 101 road. Gravel parking lot is next to their converted garage tasting room.
Quaint, yes, but their wines speak for themselves.
Boëte Winery pronounced bwah-TAY is nestled on the easter edge of Carmel Valley. Saunders Vineyard is a unique boutique winery producing Estate wines under the label Boëte. The vineyard produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
