Pelerin Wines
Pelerin is a micro-winery crafting small lots of exceptional wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands appleation. Pelerin, meaning "pilgram: in French, symbolizes Chris and Cathy Weidermann's guest to follow their passion.
Wineries
Wineries
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.
ROAR Wines
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.
Shale Canyon Wines
Shale Canyon Wines is a new producer vinting small lots of hand crafted varietals of Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel.
2008 and 2009 production will be about 850 cases per year. Long term production goals are between 2,500 to 4,000 cases per year. Production will be focused on six to eight varietals, including our own estate wines from recently planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Tempranillo and Mourvedre.
Trry the Blair Pinot Noir, the Shale Canyon Merlot and Shale Cab Franc.
Very good wines for a great price.
Silvestri Vineyards
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.
Six Strings Winery
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.
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.
Szalay Winery
Szalay Winery is one of the most recent boutique wineries in the Santa Lucia Mountain
range of Carmel Valley. In the summer of 2003 Jozsef and Bette Kovacs
purchased 13 acres of land. Jozsef and Bette with their sons Jacob and Jesse began planting
and building the winery. Located sixteen miles into the valley from the Big
Sur coastline, we experience hot summer days with ocean influenced
breezes. Bud break on average is two weeks earlier than most California
growing regions, giving us a longer growing season. At 1100 foot elevation,
the south facing slope , with its sandy loam soil and sandstone base, is prime
for growing exceptional reds.
Taste Morgan
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.
Twisted Roots Vineyard
Centered in the heart of the Lodi appellation, Twisted Roots Vineyard is the work of three generations of family members dedicated to the practice of growing great wine grapes following Sustainable Growing practices. While the family has had an established vineyard in 1918, it wasn't until recently that they began producing their own wines. The family has a tasting room in Carmel Valley, CA.