Monthly Archive: August 2025

Seabold Hosts an Exciting Summer Tasting for Local Wine Group!

THE STORY

American Wine Society Visits Seabold!

My quest to get the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter to every local tasting room continued this month at Seabold Cellars tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. This one took quite some time to arrange, as Eden Rift Vineyards and Seabold had a merger in 2024. (They described it as a “parent/sister” relationship; they continue to operate autonomously.) We took advantage of their offer for us to bring our own appetizers and make a little summer party out of it.  Their expansive and comfy outdoor space made it a perfect spot for our group of 25. We were hosted by Dre Bejines (Eden Rift) and Cynthia D’Vincent (Seabold Tasting Room Manager), who knows everything there is to know about Seabold!

Delicious food prepared by our members!

If you are interested in joining the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter on our quest to visit every Monterey County tasting room, please visit our website, join the National American Wine Society and select Monterey as your chapter! We hope to see you soon!

Our members enjoying being together on a summer evening!

THE WINERY

From their website:

“Seabold Cellars focuses on cool-climate organic and sustainable vineyards to produce balanced wines that showcase their origin more than their winemaking. During the year, more time is spent in vineyards than the winery. Our winemaking is as hands-off as possible, respecting traditional techniques and practices without being beholden to them. We produce non-interventionist, site-specific Burgundy and Rhône varieties, as seen through a California lens.”

“Seabold Cellars was founded in 2014 by Master Sommelier Chris Miller. Located in the small town of Marina, the winery is at the epicenter of California’s Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz wine growing regions.”

You can read more about Chris Miller and Seabold Cellars here.

THE WINES

Today I am presenting the 4 wines we tasted that evening. Winery notes come from their tasting sheet. As a practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites or materials. My notes today are amplified by my fellow AWS board member Erin O’Reilly, home winemaker and author of terravenos.

2023 BOLD Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV, $25 (#1587)

Winery notes: “Fresh and exuberant on the nose, with loads of pink and white grapefruit, starfruit, exotic flowers, gooseberry, honeysuckle and a core of ripe tropical fruit framed by crystalized ginger and fresh cut grass.”

My Review: Pale golden in the glass. Subtle pineapple, guava, and passion fruit on the nose. Pleasant round palate with lemon notes on the finish. It’s a very good wine – a nice warm climate. I would buy this wine!  August 2025                                                                                                      

2020 Seabold Chardonnay, Eden Rift Vineyards, Cienega Valley AVA, San Benito County, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#1588)

Winery Notes: “An open and exotic nose, with butterscotch layered over dried pineapple and ripe lemon curd. Telltale Monterey Bay acidity frames the richness on the palate, giving a fresh li to counterbalance the rich and ripe fruit. Truly a bole to ‘drink or hold’, with an immediate appeal.”

My Review: Pale yellow and viscous in the glass. Buttery nose with lemon curd and golden apple. Bosc pear, white flower and just ripe yellow peach. All the fruit is ripe and rich. The nose is more interesting than the palate. I attribute that to the vintage. August 2025

2021 Seabold Pinot Noir, Eden Rift Vineyards, Cienega Valley AVA, San Benito County, 13.7% ABV, $40 (#1589)              

Winery Notes: “From 120-year-old head-trained vines in Redwood Valley. Roasted blackberries, black currants, seared venison, black cherry compote, violets, and black olives.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Cherry, herbs, dry leaves, and bergamot tea on the nose. Medium tannins. Zippy up front with a palate of cherry, raspberry, herbs, and tea.  Forest floor and a touch bitter on the back end. August 2025

2021 Seabold Syrah, Rodnick Farms, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 13.3% ABV, $50 (#1590) 

Winery Notes: “On the nose, charred blueberries and plums give way to subtle undertones of grilled venison. With air, black olive tapenade, rosemary, and dried sage start to emerge. On the palate the tannins and acidity are present but seamless, showing balance in youth with a promising aging capacity.”

My Review: Dark in the glass. Warm berry jam and brown sugar on the nose. Rich palate of rather jammy fruit followed by ham hock notes and a spicy finish. This is a very nice, cooler climate Syrah. August 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

“Visit us at our tasting room, located in idyllic Carmel Valley Village. Graced with sunshine, tucked at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains, our tasting room is dog friendly and children friendly, and is the perfect place to spend an afternoon.”

Seabold tasting room’s lovely outdoor seating!

3 Pilot Road in Carmel Valley Village.  Open Thursday-Sunday, 12-5 p.m. and by appointment (831-288-2730).


© Decanting Monterey 2025

**FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Lyndon Fog Cellars: These Well Made Wines Impress the Palate!

THE STORY

Laurel Livingston Lyndon Fog

I met Laurel Livingston the first time at the Monterey Winemaker’s Celebration in Carmel-By-The-Sea, where I first discovered Lyndon Fog Cellars. What piqued my interest was their Syrah made from Zabala Vineyard grapes. I’m a huge fan of Zabala Vineyard fruit. Fast forward to an I Brand party in the Fall of 2024 where Laurel and Glen generously gifted me the 3 wines I am presenting today.

Laurel Livington at I Brand Vertical Tasting

My last post including Lyndon Fog Cellars was here: Highlights from the 31st Annual Monterey Wine Country Winemakers Celebration!

THE WINERY

About Lyndon Fog Cellars from their website:

“We have been working and making wines on the Central Coast of California for over a decade. Since starting in the wine industry we’ve always dreamed of the day we could make our own wines that represent us and our passion and love for wine. Together we’ve started Lyndon Fog Cellars.

“These wines are a representation of us and our winemaking style. Our grapes come from vineyards we’ve worked with and believe produce the best quality grapes to make the wines in the style we want; well balanced and fruit forward allowing you to enjoy them with a variety of food or as a glass on their own.

“We are incredibly excited to share our wines with you and hope you enjoy!”

THE WINES

Today I’m bringing you 3 current releases we have tasted this year.  These were all gifted to me for the purpose of review. Winery notes come from the Lyndon Fog Cellars website. My tasting notes were amplified by my Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society fellow board members, Janet Torelli and Erin O’Reilly. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2023 Lyndon Fog Chenin Blanc, Vista Verde Vineyard, San Benito AVA, San Benito County, 14.3% ABV, $25 (#1585)

Winery Notes: “…fermented in neutral French Oak barrels. Following fermentation the wine aged in barrel for an additional 5 months, with 30% new French Oak. The result is a medium bodied tropical wine with a subtle brown spice from the new oak, which compliments the leading fruit flavors.” 

My Review: Pale straw in the glass. Golden apple, sweet lemon curd, apricot, white blossom, pineapple, Bosc pear (maybe some papaya?) on the nose. Light tropical flavors on the palate with a tasty punch of pineapple on the finish. February 2025

2023 Lyndon Fog Grenache, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 14.8% ABV, $30 (#1586)

Winery Notes: “…This Grenache was aged 6 months in French Oak, 30% new French Oak. This 100% Grenache is a medium bodied red wine with aromas of ripe strawberry and baking spice.” 

My Review: Cranberry with hints of cherry cola and watermelon rind on the nose. Cranberry, cherry sucker, rose petals, and plum on the palate. The fruit is so right and fresh. This wine has a tongue-coating mouthfeel. Overall, a tasty palate with a dry finish. July 2025

2023 Lyndon Fog Syrah, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.9% ABV, $35 (#1429)

Winery Notes: “…This Syrah was aged 6 months in French Oak, 30% new French Oak. This 100% Syrah is a medium-heavy bodied red wine with aromas of plum, earthy notes, black pepper and dark toast.”

My Review: Medium garnet in color, cherry, dark plum, and milk chocolate (tar, ashes, and tobacco – a classic Rhône nose) on the nose. Bright palate of cherry at its core, wrapped in Game and leather with a dark plum finish. February 2025

LOCATE

You can find Lyndon Fog Cellars on their website!

© Decanting Monterey 2025

**FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Parsonage Loses Parklet and Redesigns Beautiful Interior!

THE STORY

In May, I dropped by the Parsonage tasting room and was astonished it had taken down its parklet and beautifully redesigned its interior to accommodate more guests. So nicely done! I’m sharing some of the new pictures from their website in today’s post – with the permission of the winery.

Photo reprinted with permission of Parsonage

The following week, I stopped in with my neighbors for the Spring 2025 pickup. I was surprised by the number of new releases and gladly tasted them to make my allocation adjustments. The standout wine for me was the 2021 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot with its dark berry nose and palate. The 2021 Parsonage Bixby Reserve Petit Verdot is a very close second – a powerful cellar-worthy wine. I’ve reviewed them below, along with the other new releases I tasted that day.

Photo reprinted with permission of Parsonage

This visit was also a great opportunity to add another piece of Mary Ellen Parsons’ creative art to my home collection.  We have a chicken obsession in our home, so it was easy to add this giclée to our collection of her art in our home. You can read more about her art here and you can see her art on display in the Parsonage tasting room in Carmel Valley Village.

Then we attended the Parsonage Wine and cheese pairing session this past weekend – a flight of Parsonage wines with hand-selected cheeses to pair specifically with each wine. Our winner was their 2023 Wood Reserve Cardonnay matched with the Fromage D’Affinois Brie. I also enjoyed the Midnight Moon My real favorite, though, had nothing to do with cheese: the 2021 Rocco Reserve Syrah with the Rocco-infused dark chocolate sea salt truffle from Pieces of heaven. Yum.

2025 Cheese Pairing

My last post about Parsonage was here: Happy 21st Birthday, Rocco! Let’s jump into these wines!

THE WINES:

Today I’m bringing you 4 of the new releases we tasted in May plus the 2022 Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2022 Parsonage Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $48 (#1572)

Winery Notes: “A vibrant nose of strawberry, cherry, pomegranate and wildflowers.  The gorgeous red fruit is full, round and rich on the palate with a hint of Darjeeling on the long, lovely finish.” 

My Review: Garnet in the glass. Bouquet signals that this is a Pinot Noir, while the palate is filled with darker fruit. Finishes with brighter cherry notes reminiscent of a Jolly Rancher – in a fruity, tasty and good way! May 2025

2022 Parsonage Grenache-Syrah, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $44 (#1573) 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah

Winery Notes: “Sweet anise, strawberry, black pepper with an earthy minerality.” 

My Review: Warm brown sugar and spice on the nose.  Cinnamon carries over to the palate with a tart cranberry finish. May 2025

2021 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $98 (#1574)

Winery Notes: “The Dario is our signature Merlot. Pairs perfectly with ham and pork tenderloin. Black raspberry, black cherry, anise, cocoa powder, and the Parsonage wildflower-spice terroir characterize the stunning nose of this epic beauty. All of the above form harmoniously on the the firm palate to create a wine of remarkable character.”

My Review: Rich, dark fruit on the nose.  I could smell this wine all day. Ripe plum and blackberry/dark raspberry on the palate.  Really delicious and my favorite wine of the tasting. May 2025

2021 Parsonage Bixby Reserve Petit Verdot, San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $98 (#1575)

Winery Notes: “Dark, dark fruit nose of blueberry, cassis, plum, violets, lavender, and sage. A bold melange of blueberry, dark fruit, cassis, and floral spices imposes itself in a full, well-rounded palate with an impressive finish.”

My Review: Best of both worlds – a tasty blend of bright and dark flavors, with licorice and cassis notes on the finish. This is a keeper. May 2025

2022 Parsonage Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $90 (#1591)

Winery Notes: “Made from grapes at the pinnacle of perfect ripeness, this Pinot has brilliant notes of black cherry with dried rose petals, cola, and English breakfast tea. The rich, round, muscular palate adds raspberry and currant to the dominant black cherry compote with the tea tannins driving the vibrant finish.”

My Review: Orange-rimmed garnet in the glass. Dark cherry and forest floor on the nose. Earth, cherry cola, and black pepper on the palate. A little zippy on the front palate and a little sweet. August 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

“Hooray! We are open for wine tasting daily.” 19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley Village

Photo reprinted with permission of Parsonage

Hours: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm, last seating for wine tasting: 4:15pm. “Reservations can be made here or by phone. Please call us at 831-659-7322 for same day reservations.” Also, check them out on Instagram here: @parsonagewinery.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

**FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Vote for Decanting Monterey: “Best Local Blog of Monterey County”

Loyal Fans:  It’s that time of year again! Thanks to each and every one of you, Decanting Monterey once again was nominated for Best Local Blog of Monterey County – that makes 3 years in a row!! We are 1 of 5 finalists for this category.  I am so thankful and humbled by this nomination. 

Now I ask that you take the important next step:  Please vote for Decanting Monterey, a labor of love to help educate others about our local vintners and their wines. For 5 years, I have been bringing you my personal experiences to broaden the world’s view of Monterey wines. If you appreciate my personal stories, the wines, the reviews, my insights, please vote today!

VOTING IS OPEN NOW!!

From Now-Aug 29th, voting is open here: 2025 Best of Monterey County MC Weekly. 

You may need to register with name, email and zip code, but you can also skip that part and just vote. 

Please click on the photo for “Around Town,” then search for Best Local Blog and vote for “Decanting Monterey.” 

Best Local Blog

You will need to vote for 19 other local spots to submit your vote – please look around and make your favorite picks!  I’ll be voting for lots of our local places – both in and outside of the wine industry.  For example, I’m thrilled Victorian Corner was nominated for Best Huevos Rancheros and Vivolo’s for Best Clam Chowder.

OTHER VOTING CATEGORY SUGGESTIONS

Here are some wine-related suggestions:

AGRICULTURE:

ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE:

  • Best Winery to Visit: Your choice
  • Best Tasting Room: Your choice
  • Best Selection of Wines by the Glass: Your choice

RESTAURANTS:

  • Best Wine List: Your choice
  • Best Sommelier: Your choice

SPECIALTY FOODS:

  • Best Local White Wine: Your choice
  • Best Local Red Wine: Your choice
  • Best Local Rosé: Your choice

SHOPPING AND SERVICES:

  • Best Wine Market: Your choice

Thank you so much, again, for your nomination and your vote! I couldn’t do this without you!

Central Coast Sharon

Profile Photo

© Decanting Monterey 2025

**FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

Barterra Winery: A Hidden Gem in Half Moon Bay!

Chris Minoletti Opened Just for Us!

THE STORY

Our friends invited us to visit them in Half Moon Bay during their family vacation. We said yes – and their immediate next question was what wineries to visit.  Wineries?  Are there wineries in Half Moon Bay?  The answer is yes! My quick research discovered several – who knew? I wrote to Barterra and they were able to open on very short notice just for our group.

We were hosted by Chris Minoletti who drove over from San Mateo just for our group.  As the great grandson of Angelo Minoletti, he proudly described each wine to us.  No, the grapes are not grown in Half Moon Bay – most of the grapes come from Lodi, with a few wines made from grapes in other regions of Northern California. We are grateful to his hosting us mid-week and we all tried to show our gratitude by buying his wine to share with others.

THE WINERY

From the Barterra website:

About Us: “My Grandfather, Angelo Minoletti, like thousands of immigrants, came to America to make a better life for his family. He settled in San Francisco’s North Beach and made wine for the family with my father, Attilio Minoletti. The making of wine was their simple pleasure, to enjoy with family.  We continue this tradition as a family-owned and operated business.” Paul Minoletti

Tools of the Trade Collected Over the Years by the Minoletti’s

Our Philosophy: “We have a hands-on approach, visiting the vineyards who prioritize growing quality grapes and only harvest by hand.  Our winemakers focus on crafting European-style wines that can be enjoyed now and have the potential for aging.  We meet with our winemakers on a regular basis to stay up-to-date with harvest trends and ensure the quality of our wines.”

THE WINES:

Today I’m bringing you the 9 Barterra wines we tasted. The notes are amplified by the “Decanting Monterey Wine Pod North” – our friends and their family, one of whom is studying to be a sommelier! Winery notes come from the tasting sheet, the bottle or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2024 Barterra Gewurztraminer, Clarksburg AVA, Yolo County, 13.1% ABV, $29 (#1576)

Winery Notes: “This dry version of Gewürztraminer is full of spice and fruit, with notes of lychee, lime and green apple that all together is bright, savory. fresh, and floral. A medium body carries concentration through to a flinty, spicy lasting finish. Try this pleasantly refreshing wine with soft and fragrant cheeses. such as Munster or gorgonzola, or with an aromatic Asian dish that features ginger and exotic spices.” 

My Review: Pale in the glass. Lychee on the nose. Dry, lean and light palate with a faint ginger finish. Such an interesting little wine – and not something you see around here very often! July 2025

2024 Barterra Vermentino, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 12.5% ABV, $29 (#1577)

Winery Notes: “Influenced by a delta breeze, the vineyard where these Vermentino grapes grow remains cool even during the warm summer. Enjoy this pleasantly tart wine with notes of lemon and tropical fruit while sitting in the sun. Pairs well with seafood, like oysters on the half shell, and with pasta dishes that feature fresh vegetables or pesto sauce.” 

My Review: Sweet honeysuckle, orange blossom on the nose with a touch of citrus. Light flavors on the crisp palate with some green apple, minerality. July 2025

2023 Barterra Chardonnay, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 13.3% ABV, $29 (#1578)

Winery Notes: “This golden beauty has a silky smooth mouth feel enveloping golden apples and yellow peaches, along with hints of pineapple. A touch of vanilla bean emerges on the finish. Enjoy this Chardonnay with a wide variety of food, including seafood, chicken and tomato sauce dishes..”

My Review: Pale gold in color. Caramel with a hint of lime on the nose. Skipped malolactic fermentation and was aged in 20 % new American oak. Buttery mouthfeel without the buttery taste. Crisp and tasty. July 2025

2023 Barterra French Colombard, Mendocino County, 9.5% ABV, $26 (#1579)

Winery Notes: “Natural residual sugar, light and semi-sweet, and balanced with good acidity. Nice vivid aromas of white pears, golden apple, floral honeysuckle and fruit cocktail. Pairs wonderfully with spicy dishes, particularly Thai cuisine.”

My Review: One shade tan in the glass. Faint sweet plum on the nose. Faints sweet cherry, plum and cherry on the palate. Hey, for a semi-sweet wine, it is fine. July 2025

2021 Barterra Carignan, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 12.5% ABV, $42 (#1580)

Winery Notes: “This 100% Carignan expresses itself as eminently elegant. The natural acidity balances mouthwatering, refreshingly tart blackberries, and savory notes of classic mirepoix infused with coffee that builds on the lasting finish. Think Pinot Noir when deciding what to pair with Carignan. Try seared duck breast or any cinnamon-spiced dishes, berry-based sauces, and smoky meats.” 

My Review: Ruby in color. Smoke and brown sugar (like a toasted marshmallow) with cranberry undertones on the nose. Plum, dark cherry and berry on the palate. Toasted marshmallow and pepper on the finish. Some tannin on the finish. Good mouthfeel. July 2025

2021 Barterra Wanderlust Red Blend, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 15.3% ABV, $42 (#1581)

Winery Notes: “Enjoy an immense abundance of richness and get lost in the pure darkness of black fruits. This blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Petit Verdot will dazzle your taste buds with gripping tannins on the finish that inspire a sense of adventure. Try pairing this with something from the grill.”

My Review: Dark in the glass. Deep garnet, brown sugar, rib barbecue on the nose. Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, lavender (herby soap), plum blackberry, mocha, and dark berry on the palate, with a slightly stemmy finish. Petite Syrah dominates the palate, while the Petit Verdot comes out on the finish. July 2025

2021 Barterra Sojourn Red Blend, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 15.2% ABV, $42 (#1582)

Winery Notes: “Concentrated savory rich ripe strawberry and cherry are supported by smooth rounded tannins and a bit of oak, finishing with hints of cinnamon and melted milk chocolate. The nice balance of tannin, fruit and acid pairs well with a very wide range of foods, from red sauce pastas to steaks.”

My Review: Increasingly garnet in color. Golden brown sugar melded with dark fruit, like a cherry cordial, on the nose – almost vanilla. The palate displays smoked meats and leather from the Syrah, along with some jammy fruit, with a peppery finish from the Zin. July 2025

2021 Barterra Odyssey  Red Blend, Lodi AVA, Central Valley, 15.2% ABV, $42 (#1583)

Winery Notes: “Abundant fruits of strawberry, black currant, blackberry, and black cherry are balanced with supporting tannins framed with balanced acidity. Potpourri and savory cinnamon rolls lead to red rose petals and black coffee on the finish. This wine will hold up to just about any big flavorful food, so a classic pairing would be a grilled ribeye or lamb roasted with sea salt, rosemary and olive oil.”

My Review: Newest release from mid-May. 1/3 each Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Dark garnet in the glass. Dark, jammy fruit with a hint of smoke. Big palate of dark fruit and BBQ, with tannins throughout. Cellar this baby. July 2025

2021 Barterra Exploration Red Blend, Lodi AVA, San Joaquin County, 14.2% ABV, $42 (#1584) 60% Petit Verdot, 20% Zinfandel, 20% Carignan

Winery Notes: “Take your tastebuds on a delicious journey beginning with notes of raspberry sorbet followed by rose petals, tart red plum and sour cherry.  Continue to enjoy the supporting tannins, balanced and medium-bodied, with a lasting finish that pleases the palate.” 

My Review: Dark berry, brown sugar and smoke on the nose. Really big delicious palate. Could be my favorite. July 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

“Barterra Winery is an urban winery with a tasting room in Princeton Harbor in Half Moon Bay. We believe that wine tasting should be approachable and educational. We offer guided tastings in a relaxed atmosphere where you can experience and learn about unique varietals and blends from the finest wine regions in Northern California.”

Location: 151 Harvard Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA

Hours: Saturday & Sunday: 12pm to 6pm, Monday – Friday: By appointment only

Check them out on Instagram here: @barterrawinery.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

**FOLLOW ME ON Instagram, Facebook, and CELLAR TRACKER: Central Coast Sharon

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