Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

Cima Collina

glasses of wine and friends

Cima Collina produces artisan wines sourced from small Monterey vineyards. The concept of "artisan wine" for them involves partnering with growers who meticulously cultivate their vineyards, selecting only the finest fruit, and crafting wine on a barrel-by-barrel basis.

Their focus on Monterey vineyards reflects an acknowledgment of the region’s potential to consistently produce wines that are interesting, compelling, and unique. The cool maritime climate, well-drained soils, and the vibrant energy of the local winemaking community contribute to a dynamic renaissance in the region, making it an exceptionally gifted area for growing grapes.

Experience the wines of Cima Collina, along with other offerings from Monterey Wine Country, confident that these selections will meet the highest expectations.

Parsonage Village Vineyard

rosebushes along the vineyards rows

Parsonage Village Vineyard is planted on a seven-acre south-facing hillside bench 500 feet above the Carmel River and a half mile east of the Carmel Valley Village. The mesoclimate(yes, it's not a microclimate which encompasses a larger area than meso) here is ideal for the all red varietals--Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Verdot that make up the Estate Vineyard.

Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards

winery's barrel room

Fantastic wines, a great and knowledgable tasting team and one of my most favorite settings make Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards a wonderful and special place. We toured the vineyard in it's total seclusion, silence and peace; tasted in the caves (a must see); and lounged in their upper terrace while finishing off our tasting.

Wente Vineyards

grapes - Pixabay

Founded more than 125 years ago, Wente Vineyards is the country’s oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery. Today, the winery maintains its leadership role in California winegrowing under ownership and management by the Fourth and Fifth Generations of the Wente family. Blending traditional and innovative winemaking practices, the winery draws from approximately 3,000 acres of sustainably farmed Estate vineyards to create an outstanding portfolio of fine wines. Located just east of San Francisco in the historic Livermore Valley, Wente Vineyards is recognized as one of California’s premier wine country destinations, featuring wine tasting, fine dining and championship golf.

Bressler Vineyards

rows of vines in a vineyard

Located in the small, historic town of St. Helena (yes, part of Napa Valley) Bressler like many of its neighbors is a small lot, premium producer of Cabernet Sauvignon. Bressler was started as many wineries do in Napa, with the retirement of an executive from nearby Silicon Valley. Bob Bressler spent his career at Sun Microsystems where he was a visiting scientist and advised the Sun executive team. Bob's wife Stacey is also intimately involved with the day to day operations of the winery and comes to the wine business after her own successful career in the Bay Area high tech market, although her focus was more marketing than it was the technology itself. Small production winery of approx. 500 cases.

Casa Cassara Winery & Vineyard

grape vine with grapes - Randy Caparoso

When Bennie Cassara first set foot on this mountain top retreat he knew this was the place for which he had been looking. Bennie a brick mason by trade was busy running his Masonry construction company in Orange County California, but he was looking for a place where he and his could get away from the daily grind. It was in 1990 the first vines were planted on the tiny hilltop estate. Bennie Cassara chose Pinot Noir grapes at the urging of his friend Brian Babcock of the Babcock Winery. Brian told Bennie his property would be the perfect growing environment for Pinot Noir grapes, this variatal is grown on hillsides in France, and Brian knew the combination of warm days and cool foggy nights would be perfect. Much of the rest of the story is in the glass.

Autheur Wines

pouring red wine into a glass - Pixabay

The Auteur wines have been highly touted in the wine press and are sold by allocations through a mailing list. The owner/winemaker is Kenneth Juhasz who is also the winemaker for The Donum Estate and the Robert Stemmler label, and a consultant for other wineries

McIntyre Tasting Studio

red wine swirling in the glass

Originally planted in 1973, the 80-acre McIntyre Estate Vineyard (with 60 acres planted) is home to some of the oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Another estate property, the 81-acre Kimberly Vineyard in Arroyo Seco, complements the winery’s holdings. Proprietor Steve McIntyre, a highly knowledgeable viticulturist, also owns and operates Monterey Pacific, overseeing 16,000 acres of vineyards in Monterey County. The McIntyre Estate Vineyard was one of the first in the Santa Lucia Highlands to earn SIP (Sustainability In Practice) Certification.

The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA has quickly risen to prominence, with 6,000 acres of vines—primarily Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah—thriving on the terraces below the Santa Lucia mountain range. The region benefits from a unique climate shaped by daily morning fog and strong winds channeled through the Salinas Valley from Monterey Bay. This combination gives the Santa Lucia Highlands one of California's longest and coolest growing seasons.

Had an excellent time here. The gentlemen doing the tasting was very personable and informative, I highly recommend.

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