While it’s fresh in my mind, I wanted to jot down some notes for wine 101ers on the Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Walk adventure I’m on right now! So I’m sitting in a small outdoor shopping mall courtyard, as I just finished my last tasting of the day, at Wrath. Time to enjoy the cool weather, the lovely patio, sober up, reflect and type out my story.
I started my day three hours ago at the Carmel Visitors Center to get a lay of the land, then had a very quick lunch at Clint Eastwood’s restaurant, Hog’s Breath Inn, as I don’t like to taste on an empty stomach.
I picked up my passport to visit a dozen or so tasting rooms; with the choice to visit them in one day or over multi-days. I thought I’d try and do it all in one day. (For others that have the time to linger, I say linger.) Each tasting room was well-equipped with a tasting bar, some with stools or a sitting area, swag to buy, cheese plates (Wrath) and very friendly staff.
Beginning with a tasting room shared by Blair Estate and Shale Canyon Wines, I was quickly into the area’s signature Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. But I was also on the hunt for darker wines. And at Manzoni I found an excellent Syrah, made “in a cold climate” and therefore producing more “white pepper instead of black pepper” notes. It was interesting to me, and made me want to try others.
The gentleman working the Manzoni tasting room commented that the Monterey AVA produces more wine grapes than any other in the county – they just sell the grapes to other wineries. I wanted to confirm that, so I checked the Internet, and lo and behold found this article: http://www.seemonterey.com/food-wine/wineries/appellations/ which states, “Monterey is the largest of the county’s American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), boasting more than 40,000 acres of vineyards…”
Among other wines I tried that day I liked the Sauvignon Blanc and a 50-50 Syrah Cab blend at Scheid; the meaty Cabernets at Galante Vineyards; most everything at Shale Canyon; Pinot Gris at Blair Estate; the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir at Wrath. There was plenty more to taste, like sparkling wines, ports and Merlots, but, I’ll leave those up to another day, and another chance to use up my passport in leisurely time.
Conclusion
For the first time in a long time I did this tasting as the public did, which means that I listened to the tasting room staff when they introduced their wines, gave me their tasting notes and explained their winery practices as if I, too, were as new to wine as I was to their wines. The experience was far more satisfying than I expected, and I imagine that I will be doing more “impromptu” tastings. Heck, I almost forgot how much fun it was to learn.
The Lay of the Land
There are street signs but no numbers in the small city of Carmel. Make sure you get the map from the Chamber office before you head out. And even with the map, it’s not exactly accurate as it shows clusters of wine tasting rooms that appear to be all on one street, but, in fact, are more spread out. I simply asked at each tasting room which would be the next closest to walk to and got the directions. http://www.carmelcalifornia.org/things-to-do/wine.aspx
The Details
The Carmel Wine Walk by-the-Sea™ is pleased to offer a Wine Tasting Passport for $65 which entitles the buyer to one $10 flight at each of the 10 tasting rooms (a $100 value). It can be used in one day or spread out over a weekend, several weeks, or even months. The Wine Tasting Passport is available for purchase at the Carmel Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (831-624-2522 ) on San Carlos between 5th & 6th in Carmel-by-the-Sea or online on the Chamber of Commerce website under “things to do.”
Carmel Wine Walk by-the-Sea™ offers the opportunity to savor superior still and sparkling wines without ever having to think about transportation, parking, or even dinner plans. Each tasting room on the Wine Walk will offer recommendations for dinner or call to make reservations. As an added bonus, corkage will be waived for bottles purchased at a Carmel Wine Walk by-the-Sea™ tasting room at participating restaurants for one bottle per visit, per party.
The Wine Walk by-the-Sea™ is a self-paced, self-guided stroll to the tasting rooms which are all within a few blocks of each other on the both sides of Ocean Avenue. They are…
Blair Estate
Blair Estate is the region’s newest artisan label, focusing on limited releases of single vineyard Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris & Chardonnay from the cool climate Arroyo Seco appellation.
Hours: Winter: 12pm-6pm; Spring/Fall: 11am-7pm
www.blairwines.com
Caraccioli Cellars
Family-run & delivering distinctive, ‘fruit forward’, sparkling & still wines through the utilization of top-tier grapes from the Santa Lucia Highlands.
Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 2pm-7pm; Fri. & Sat.: 11am-10pm; Sun.: 11am-7pm
www.caracciolicellars.com
Dawns Dream
Specializing in Pinot Noir, Dawn’s Dream also produces Chardonnay, Rosé and other varietals sourced from some of the finest vineyards in Monterey County.
Hours: Sun.-Fri.: 1pm-6pm; Sat.: 12pm-6pm
www.dawnsdreamwinery.com
De Tierra Vineyards
De Tierra Vineyards is a family owned and sustainably operated winery producing limited production, estate grown Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah.
Hours: Tues.-Thurs.: 2pm-8pm; Fri.-Sun.: 12pm-8pm; Winter: Tues.-Thurs.: 2pm-7pm; Fri.-Sun.: 12pm-8pm; Closed Mondays.
www.detierra.com
Figge Cellars
Inside Winfield Gallery is a celebration of art & wine. Visitors will enjoy a one-of a-kind tasting experience that touches all five senses.
Hours: Thurs.-Mon.: 12pm-6pm
www.figgecellars.com
Galante Vineyards
Producing 100% estate grown wines with a simple philosophy: grow the finest grapes & let the fruit express itself in the wine.
Hours: Sun.-Fri.: 1pm-6pm; Sat.: 12pm-6pm
www.galantevineyards.com
Scheid Wines
Small-lot, sustainable wines in the heart of Monterey County. With ten estate vineyards, many different varieties are grown in a spectrum of styles.
Hours: Daily: 12pm-6pm
www.scheidwines.com
Shale Canyon
Shale Canyon offers artisan wines from the Arroyo Seco AVA. Featuring Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Syrah, and annual “micro-lot” offerings.
Hours: Winter: 12pm-6pm; Spring/Fall: 11am-7pm
www.shalecanyonwines.com
Silvestri Vineyards
Producing hand crafted wines from our 11-acre estate vineyard in Carmel Valley. Premium Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Rosé wines truly express the quality of this vineyard.
Hours: Daily: 12pm-7pm
www.silvestrivineyards.com
Vino Napoli
Italian-themed wine bar featuring Pèpe Winery and the wines of Antinori & other close friends. Relax and enjoy Italian tapas, pizza, and watch your favorite sports games.
Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 3pm-10pm; Sat. & Sun.: 2pm-10pm
www.vinonapoli.com
Wrath Wines
Produces site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc from our sustainable estate vineyard and selected properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands.
Hours: Mon.-Sat.: 10am-6pm; Sun.: 11am-5pm
www.wrathwines.com
