WINE 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. (415) 686-4550, bigsurvineyards.com Blue Fox Cellars Sample Grenache, Zinfandel, Chenin Blanc or perhaps put together a gift basket at the winery’s handy Carmel Valley location. 25 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 298-7457, bluefoxcellars.wine 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. Tastings at The Barrel Room, 5 Del Fino Place, Carmel Valley. boetewinery.com Chesebro Winery European wines like Vermentino and equally habit-forming Albariño join a Las Arenas red blend and a lively Roussanne white. Great values, ambiance and intrigue. 19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Suite D, Carmel Valley. (831) 6592125, chesebrowines.com Corral Wine Co. The winemaker barreled the first batch in 2017. Since then, the winery has become known for outstanding Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from Monterey County vineyards. 19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 298-7646, corralwine.com Cowgirl Winery A rustic hideaway, Cowgirl’s winemaker focuses on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and a few other single varietals (Picpoul is the surprise), as well as blends. 4 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 298-7030, cowgirlwinery.com Folktale Winery The stunning French chateau property makes for one of the more memorable stops. Youthful ownership brings a renegade rock mentality (really) that includes garden parties and live concerts. 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel. (831) 293-7500, folktalewinery.com Georis Winery Tucked off the street in a gorgeous courtyard, Georis’ tasting room is an experience for all the senses with European-style Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and more. 1 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 659-1080, georiswine. com Holman Ranch Holman Ranch pours Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and dry Rosé from a tasting room in the historic Wills Fargo building, just down the road from their estate vineyard and winery. 18 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 601-8761, holmanranch.com I Brand & Family Ian Brand built his wines and his reputation on a deep understanding of micro-terroir and the grapes that thrive in certain conditions, rather than what is common on the market. As a result, Brand produces brings lesser-known varietals to the fore while showing the deepest flavors from familiar grapes. He continues to take winemaking into the future. 19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 298-7227, ibrandwinery.com Joyce Vineyards Joyce specializes in hand-crafted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, plus a Riesling and a Rosé of Grenache. Russell Joyce is not an unsung winemaker, but deserves even more acclaim. He uses estate grapes from the Soledad-area winery. 1 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 659-2885, joycevineyards.com McIntyre Vineyards 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. 24 W. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 659-4215, mcintyrevineyards.com Parsonage Estate Estate-grown, hedonistic Cabernet, Syrah and Merlot wines from seven acres of prime, sundrenched Carmel Valley land. With a focus on the health of each vine rather than the yield, the result is exceptional flavor and intensity. 19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Suite B, Carmel Valley. (831) 659-7322, parsonagewine.com Pelio Estate While the label has been producing remarkable Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rosé since 2016, the owners opened their first tasting room in 2023. It is as stylish as the wines. 25 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 298-7402, pelioestatewines.com Rombi Winemaker Salvatore Rombi approaches grapes like a chef, because he is also a chef. He tends to higher elevation Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with care, using sustainable farming. 1 Center St., Carmel Valley. (831) 659-7200, rombiwines.com Seabold Cellars Seabold takes a hands-off approach to their selection of site-specific wines, highlighting Burgundy and Rhone varietals touched by Monterey County terroir. 3 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 288-2730, seaboldcellars.com Scratch Wines Cabernet Sauvignon from the Santa Cruz Mountains, Pinot Noir from Santa Lucia Highlands, and a Riesling and Grenache from Arroyo Seco all enjoy lean minerality and admirable balance. 11 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 320-0726, scratchwines. com 72 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® 2025-2026 SAN SABA VINEYARD 4 Decades of Great Wines 2022 Wrath Pinot Noir San Saba Vineyard 95 PTS. VINOUS 2022 Wrath Fermata Chardonnay 92 PTS. VINOUS wrathwines.com 831-678-2212
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