114 The Best of Monterey Bay ® 2023-2024 wine Kori Wines What started as a small production label from the family vineyards has become a winery racking up points for their Pinot Noir. Kori opened its first tasting room in 2019 and remains a family winery. Mission between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. (831) 293-8217, koriwines.com Lepe Cellars Winemaker Miguel Lepe lives by a few rules. Source organic grapes, for one. Keep in mind that wine should reflect a sense of place— that’s another. And push yourself, experiment. The last impulse led to a line of single-varietal pétillant naturel sparklers. Dolores between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. (831) 597-2029, lepecellars.com Manzoni Estate Vineyard See listing under South County. Paseo Courtyard, San Carlos between Ocean and 7th, Carmel, (831) 620-6541, manzoniwines. com McIntyre Tasting Studio These sustainable wines from small lots embody the mountainous, marine-influenced terroir, which produces acclaimed Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from vineyards in the legendary Santa Lucia Highlands. 169 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel. (831) 626-6268, mcintyrevineyards.com Morgan Winery Sample the offerings from the organicallyfarmed Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah from their estate vineyard Double L, as well as Rosella’s, Gary’s and Tondre Vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands. They set a high standard. 204 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel. (831) 626-3700, morganwinery.com Scheid Family Vineyards The Scheid family produces superb Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon among a large portfolio of varietals—and a sparkler. You can spot their vineyard in South County by its landmark windmill, a sign of their eco-conscious farming practices. 7th and San Carlos, Carmel, (831) 656-9463, scheidvineyards.com Scratch Wines See listing under Carmel Valley. Dolores between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. scratchwines.com Shale Canyon The winemaker works in small lots with a deference to Cabernet Sauvignon. But there are varietals not often seen here—like Mourvedre—that also show that hand-crafted touch. San Carlos between Ocean and 7th, Carmel. (831) 332-2227, shalecanyonwines. com Silvestri Vineyards At the Carmel tasting room, tastes of distinguished Syrahs, Chardonnays, Barbera and Rosé—plus Pinot varietals like Blanc, Gris and Noir—pair with mementos of Hollywood composer Alan Silvestri’s work. 7th and Dolores, Carmel. (831) 625-0111, silvestrivineyards. com Talbott Vineyards These meticulously made wines are estategrown in the Santa Lucia Highlands and deep Carmel Valley. The tasting space is part airy atrium, part wine wonderland, part sunny dreamland. Lincoln Street between 5th and 6th, Carmel. (831) 659-3500, talbottvineyards.com Vin Wine Bar + Bottle Boutique A stylish little space for tasting and learning about California wines. The collection here represents AVAs from across the state, so it’s possible to gain a greater understanding of the terroirs that flavor California wines. 237 Crossroads Blvd., Carmel. (831) 293-8715, vinbarcarmel.com Windy Oaks See listing under Carmel Valley. Lincoln between Ocean and 6th, Carmel. windyoaksestate.com Wrath Wines Superior and sustainable Santa Lucia Highlands fruit translates to complex Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Limited, site-driven wines helped make this label an aficionado favorite. Ocean and Mission, Carmel, (831) 620-1909, wrathwines.com Carmel Valley Albatross Ridge See listing under Carmel. 19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. albatrossridge.com Bernardus Winery The signature Bordeaux-style blend, Marinus, flows along with award-winning Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and single-vineyard Pinots. A gorgeous tasting room and garden patio. 5 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 2988021, bernardus.com/winery Big Sur Vineyards A standout Pinot and a Rhone blend—smallbatch wines with dramatic art on the labels— are produced from a small Palo Colorado estate and carefully grown Monterey County grapes. 1 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley. (831) 652-3020, bigsurvineyards.com Boekenoogen Winery The Chards are spot-on and the Syrah fullfigured, but the Pinots are the signature. They each offer a soft entry and a complete richness that moves through dark-red cherry and plum flavors. Best enjoyed from their lovely patio. 24 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 659-4215, boekenoogenwines.com Boëté Lime-enriched Carmel Valley provides a unique terroir that can be tasted in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc—wines of complexity, depth and ripe fruit. Winery visits and tastings available by appointment only. 67 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 6255040, boetewinery.com Chesebro Winery European wines like Vermentino and equally habit-forming Albariño join a Las Arenas red Hahn Estate
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