Monthly Archive: June 2026

THE STORY

We stopped in at Lepe Cellars on a whim and found practically a whole new lineup! How fortuitous! If you have not been to their new location in Carmel Valley, head on out Plus, they recently joined the American Wine Society’s Welcome Here Program. If you are an AWS member show them your card and they will automatically give you a discount.  Sweet!  Not a member? Join us and take advantage of discounts at all the wineries that have joined the program!  You can find more information on our local chapter’s website here: American Wine Society Monterey Chapter.

I last presented Lepe Cellars here: AWS Monterey Celebrates an Early Valentines Day at Lepe Cellars’ New Location!

THE WINES

I have 5 Lepe Cellars wines to present to you today.  Winery notes come from their website or tasting sheet unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. All of these wines are from Monterey County.

2025 Lepe Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyards, Arroyo Seco AVA, 12% ABV, $38 (#1757)

Winery Notes: “The nose is vibrant, with aromas of pineapple and fresh lime zest. On the palate, this wine bursts with flavors of lychee and grapefruit, complemented by a subtle hint of sweet bell pepper.”

My Review: Pale in the glass. Grapefruit on the nose. Mouthful of light pineapple. April 2026

2025 Lepe Cellars Sangiovese Rosé, San Antonio Valley AVA, 12% ABV, $38 (#1758)

Winery Notes: “The nose is bright and refreshing, showcasing a beautiful bouquet of floral aromas. A hint of wet stone provides an intriguing mineral quality. On the palate, the wine delivers a delightful range of flavors, led by juicy pomegranate, which brings a lush character. The vibrant red cherry follows, offering a burst of fruity brightness. Currant notes emerge, adding depth that enhances the fruit complexity.”

My Review:  Pale pink in the glass. Tart and sweet play with each other on the palate. April 2026

2024 Lepe Cellars Pinot Noir, Monterey AVA, 13.7% ABV, $45 (#1759)

Winery Notes: “The nose is captivating with a blend of warm baking spices, creating a cozy and inviting bouquet. Sweet vanilla notes add a rich layer of complexity, harmonizing beautifully with spice. On the palate, the wine reveals flavors of red cherry, bursting with balanced acidity.”

My Review:  A little sweet on the savory palate. April 2026

2024 Lepe Cellars Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 13.7% ABV, $55 (#1760)

Winery Notes: “The nose opens with a warm embrace of baking spices, including hints of cinnamon and nutmeg, which add depth and a touch of complexity. Underneath, a bouquet of ripe red cherry and fragrant raspberry emerges, bringing a bright and inviting quality to the wine. Subtle undertones of plum offer a rounded richness, enhancing the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine showcases vibrant flavors of red cherry, which brings a juicy and luscious natural sweetness. Notes of ripe plum unfold, adding warmth and a velvety texture that lingers on the tongue.”

My Review: Plum on the nose with a peppery finish. April 2026

2024 Lepe Cellars Cabernet Franc, Tre Gatti Vineyard, San Antonio Valley AVA, 13.5% ABV, $55 (#1761)

Winery Notes: “This wine opens with inviting aromas of dark fruit, including black cherry and ripe blackberry, accented by a hint of crushed stone. On the palate, it reveals layers of raspberry and red plum, leading into a lingering savory finish with notes of black pepper and dried herbs.”

My Review:  Cherry on the nose. Cherry, blackberry and pepper on the finish. Really tasty. April 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

The Lepe Cellars tasting room is located at 19 E Carmel Valley Rd. Carmel Valley, CA and is open during these hours: Friday – Sunday 12pm – 5pm, Monday – Thursday by appointment only.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

THE STORY

After our American Wine Society Monterey Chapter events, we sometimes go to dinner to continue the party. In January, we had a delicious meal at Anton & Michel where I ordered today’s wine to share with our table. Everyone loved it and my table mates paid for it! It doesn’t get any better than that!

THE WINERY

Cool since 1982…

“Qupe was founded in 1982, along Foxen Canyon Road, in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. Amazingly enough this was right next door to where Andrew Murray Vineyards was founded less than a decade later. Qupe’s founder, Bob Lindquist, is a giant in the world of wine, where he is a pioneer in every sense of the word. Qupe’s founding in 1982, paved the way for our own founding in 1990. Bob loved Syrah before anyone else. He quickly grew Qupe into a worldwide phenom of a Rhone focused wine brand that also crafted delicate and delicious Chardonnay. Bob piorneered hillside sites, from cool climate appellations, with sandy, calcareous and rocky soils. Andrew Murray Vineyards grew up in the shadow of this legendary and historic brand.

“By way of tenacity and some good fortune, Andrew was able to purchase the Qupe brand and all assets (including an amazing array of library wines) in October of 2024. Andrew and his family and his very capable winegrowing team have brought the brand home, to where it started on Foxen Canyon Road, when it was just a couple of barrels and glint in Bob’s eyes. All of us at Andrew Murray Vineyards are extremely excited about the future. We look forward to righting the ship and bringing Qupe back to its former glory by focusing on the brand’s core values of sustainabilty, quality, and affordability. The current array of wines are absolutely delcious. We invite you to seek them out in your home markets and stores and restaurant wine lists. The wines are rich and nuanced and thoughtfully crafted. If you are a fan of Andrew Murray Vineyards, then we are confident that you will also enjoy the entire range of Qupe wine.

THE WINES

Today, I am showcasing just one Qupé wine.  This is the first Qupé wine I have presented in Decanting Monterey. Winery notes come from the label, their tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted.  Any errors are mine and mine alone; however, as a general rule, I do not correct any typos from the winery’s website.

2019 Qupé Syrah, Bien Nacido Hillside Estate, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, ~$50 (#1756)

Pure Winely Notes: “Enticing aromas of star anise, forest floor, and black licorice together with perfumed violets and dark ripe raspberry. Flavors of juicy blackberry and sweet cinnamon and nutmeg evolve to subtle roasted coffee with a sweet vanilla finish.”

My Review: Inky in the glass. As dark as a Petite Sirah. Intense dark crushed mixed berries in the nose -someone should make an incense out of this wine. Smooth palate with dark berries and some smokey/earthy notes on the finish. Our whole table liked this wine. January 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

From their website:

“To visit Andrew Murray Vineyards is to experience a narrative of history, legacy and ardent passion. Your visit will be an intimate glimpse into the beauty and bounty of the Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country. Delve into the terroir. Soak in the natural surroundings. Explore some of the finest and most exclusive Rhone driven varietals California has to offer.

“We aspire to make your visit as beautiful as our wines and invite you to join our journey. Experience a destination rich with heritage, a space to celebrate shared connections and the essence of sensorial exploration. We highly recommend reservations for all guests with priority going to our Club Members. We appreciate that you may find yourself at our Estate without a reservation, we host walk-ins on a first fome first served policy, as space allows. Welcome to Andrew Murray Vineyards.”

Located at 5249 Foxen Canyon Road Los Olivos CA 93441 and open 11-5 daily.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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