Monterrey - Carmel

Monterrey - Carmel

SMITH & HOOK

THE SMITH & HOOK STORY
It was in the mid-1970’s and on two neighboring ranches-turned-vineyards in Monterey County that Nicolaus (“Nicky”) Hahn and his wife Gaby first established Hahn Winery and Smith & Hook wines. The Smith Ranch had been horse ranch, while the Hook Ranch had raised cattle for generations; their prime location provided a perfect setting for growing premium varietal fruit. Smith & Hook Winery released its first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon to high acclaim in 1980.

Pessagno

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.

Heller Estate

This place was recommended by the tasting room where we were unable to have a picnic. I was so very glad that I had discovered it!! Tasting fee is $8. The wines were really good. The pourer was very friendly and knowledgeable. The tasting room was cozy and inviting with some olive oil and Meyer lemon marmalade samples. This place is also like an art gallery inside out. The picnic area in the fenced garden setting was very comfortable and we also enjoyed many interesting looking art objects. We were informed that this place is the first one of the series of wineries in the area

Marilyn Remark Winery

Great wines, friendly service and fun intimate atmosphere. A great alternative to the larger tasting rooms in the area. Marilyn and Joel are often in the tasting room and are super friendly. A definite stop if you're in the area, or planning a day trip!
A simple,straight forward wine tasting experience of some of the most classic Rhone varietals to be made in California. Marsanne was refined and elegant. Viogner was excellent and Grenache was classic. Prices are good. This is a serious wine tasters place.

Joullian Vineyards

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.

Calera Wine Company

Calera Winen Company is a winery with vision and that vision is expressed so well in the wines that are produced there. Rather than follow the recommended path, Josh Jensen became a pioneer in American Pinot Noir. Taking his cue from the great domaines of Burgundy, which have grown grapes in limestone soil for centuries, he set out in search of the perfect spot in California to create wines that are truly unique, yet in the style of the greatest wines of France. In his search he ventured off the grid to plant on the site of an old limekiln in the Gavilan Mountains of California's Central Coast. Today Calera Wine Company still express that pioneer spirit and are revered the world over. We are happy to say that not just California Corks has taken note of this winery but that even Robert Parker is convinced: "Calera is one of the most compelling Pinot Noir specialists of not only the New World, but of Planet Earth." Why not stop in and enjoy some a really wonderful Pinot Noir experience with the wines produced by Winemaker Mike Walker. You will be glad you did.*

Hours:

Open Daily: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Tasting Appointments: 11am - 3:30pm
Reservations are not required, but always appreciated.

Manzoni Vineyards

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.

DeRose Vineyards

DeRose Vineyards has the single best Negrette I have ever had. Pat DeRose not only has one of the coolest moustaches on the planet, but he and Al (his son) are wine purists, not necessarily in the "Wine Spectator" since, they simply love great wines. Al DeRose search for new endeavors took him to central Chile where he produces and imports his Chilean wines. De Rose VIneyards is one of the oldest operated wineries in the US - 1854. At De Rose VIneyards they are not concerned about anything other than wine... nada. The DeRose family doesn't care about wine spectator's points, they don't care about who endorsed what, and I find that not simply amuzing, but delightful! Their style is very much like the old world where the people of the community get together. The winemakers, the farmers, the butcher and the candlestick-maker all living together, drinking together, eating together and enjoying the celebration of life. At DeRose Vineyards it is,"Good friends, good food and good wine.*

Hours:

Mon-     11:00 to 5:00pm
Tues-     11:00 to 5:00pm
Weds-     11:00 to 5:00pm
Thurs-    11:00 to 5:00pm
Fri-         11:00 to 5:00pm
Sat-        11:00 to 4:00pm
Sun-       11:00 to 4:00pm

Chalone Vineyard

While the grapes for Chalone Vineyard Estate come from their high mountain estate, the grapes for the Monterey County wines come from distinct vineyards in the 75-mile long Salinas Valley, which begins in Monterey Bay and runs southeastward. Ancient volcanoes, active faults and tectonic plate movement created the Santa Lucia and Gavilan Mountain ranges, which flank the valley. The mountains form a wind tunnel, drawing cool ocean breezes off the Pacific Ocean into the valley. The cool air causes the vines to shut down and delays ripening of the grapes, leading to a longer growing season and hang time that results in intense fruit flavors.

Not open to the Public

Hahn Winery

This is a great vineyard and they make fantastic wines!

The view from the deck is beautiful. The tasting room itself is nice. The drive up to the tasting room is beautiful and they have a lovely estate with rows of roses and trees, next to the vineyards.

The service is fantastic and they are generous with the pours! I highly recommend going for a visit and enjoying the nice weather and scenery.

They make a number of really nice wines and bottle under a number of labels. You may be surprised just how many different labels they have.

They have some nice little snacks in the fridge there, but they are just enough to stave off hunger, so don't plan on getting stuffed with their snacks before tasting. I recommend getting a bottle and sitting on the deck with your own salami and cheese assortment.

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