THE STORY
Carmel Valley Uncorked was founded to promote Carmel Valley as a premier wine tasting destination in Monterey County. With the dissolution of the Monterey County Vintner and Growers Association, the marketing of our wine regions has fallen to more local groups. For us, Carmel Valley has always been the spot to wine taste. We’ve been coming out there for decades – since the days when you could find Durney and Talbott’s rather rustic tasting rooms next to each other on Carmel Valley Road.
The Carmel Valley Uncorked event was held at Rancho Carmelo Vineyards, just past Carmel Valley Village. It was a lovely setting with beautiful fall colors in the vineyard views. 10 wineries were lined up, presenting 2 wines each. It was informal and friendly. We could mingle with winemakers, tasting room staff, and local people who simply like their wines. The event was organized by Kathy Baker of Rombi Wines; Walter Georis of Georis Winery was the spokesperson, stressing the importance of this community.
The food was provided by Jerome Viel. I have never seen a more beautiful or large single charcuterie display. The dinner was simple – delicious sausage and seafood-filled paella, salad with the perfect vinaigrette, and bread with the richest butter (I’m guessing that amazing butter Jerome gets from France). There were bottles of white and red wine from the participating winemakers spaced along the long tables. We chose to sit right in front of a bottle of Rombi wine and were pleased a Joyce white was also within reach to start with. Dessert appeared to be a plate of macarons, but it was more than that – I picked up a small chocolate one, only to find out that it was a rich, dark bite of a dense chocolate cake.
The event was terrific for building camaraderie amongst the Carmel Valley wine community – both the wineries/vineyards and the tasting rooms located there. I appreciated the inclusion of wineries whose grapes come from elsewhere, while their tasting rooms are located in Carmel Valley, such as Twisted Roots. It is the same approach I take in Decanting Monterey. Nice to see you, Josh and Julie Ruiz! And we met so many fans of the wineries, too, most of whom live in Carmel Valley. What a great group of people!
Making wine is no small feat. As with vineyards across the globe, so much is out of control of the Carmel Valley vineyard owners. There was a lot of talk about the 2026 vintage. Hot weather, followed by cooler weather, small berries and small yields dominated the discussion. With harvest now complete, the proof will be in the barrels. There was a huge sigh of relief that at least the Big Sur fires stayed on the other side of the mountain ridge.
THE WINES
Today I have a slightly different approach, as I was enjoying the event and not taking detailed tasting notes. I am including the winery notes where I can find them and a brief comment about the wine based on our combined recollection. Also, I did not take pictures of all the wines, so I am guessing at some of the vintages. For those, I put an asterisk at the end of the year. I am presenting 15wines from the event. Winery notes come from winery websites, unless otherwise noted. You can read more about each winery on its website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites. I reserve the right to take next week off!
2022 Scratch Extra Brut Sparkling Rosé, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey, 12.2% ABV, $55 (#1816)
Winery Notes: “Brut Rosé with a base of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Juicy red apple with a Granny Smith finish. Refreshing addition to you afternoons on the patio!”
My Impression: We thought this was a delicious way to start off this event!
2020 Pelio Estate Sparkling Cuvée, Monterey County, 12% ABV, $86 (#1817)
Winery Notes: “The 2020 Pelio Estate Sparkling shows a very delicately hued light yellow in the glass. Aromas of bright citrus are complimented by a subtle note of fresh baked brioche and bread dough alluding to this wine’s extended aging on lees in the bottle. On the palate this wine shows flavors of Meyer Lemon, peach and red apple over well integrated acidity. A fine mousse gives a full, rich texture that persists to the finish.”
My Impression: Eye-catching and delicious. I was impressed by this wine.
2025* Holman Ranch Susans Saignée Rosé, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 13.1% ABV, $39 (#1818)
Winery Notes: “The 2025 Susan’s Saignée Rosé has bright aromas of strawberry, jasmine and watermelon. The palate is soft with citrus notes, rounded with restrained notes of marine salinity. This wine is vibrant and youthful, refreshing throughout the spring and summer.”
2023* Carmelo Rosé, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $33 (#1819)
Winery Notes: “A visual delight in the glass, this Rosé invites you to savor a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate. Notes of vibrant red fruit, delicate floral undertones, and a subtle citrus zest create a refreshing and lively experience. The wine’s playful character mirrors the sunlit days of our vineyard, offering a delightful journey with each sip.”
2022* Georis Riesling, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $42 (#1820)
My Impressions: Heavy minerality with a touch – just a touch – of sweetness for a nice, dry wine. People were talking about it. There is still a misconception out there that a Riesling has to be sweet. We’ve been enjoying dry Rieslings from Arroyo Seco for quite some time. Try one! You will like it!
2025 Corral Good Fortune Chardonnay, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, 13.2% ABV (#1821)
My Impressions: This is a new wine from Corral intended for the wholesale marketplace. It has great aromatics and is a terrific, tasty little Chardonnay.
2025* Joyce Albariño, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, 12% ABV, $25 (#1822)
Winery Notes: “The fruit for this Albarino was harvested from several vineyards surrounding our winery in the Arroyo Seco AVA. This AVA is recognized as having the longest growing season in California. Strong daily winds that bring cool fog from the Monterey Bay allow the grapes to spend more time on the vine building flavor, complexity and acidity. Extremely rocky well-drained alluvial soils are the base for creating wines processing freshness & minerality. The combination of sand, granite, and shale loam soils with the ever present marine influence provide the perfect conditions for growing Albariño. AROMA wild peach, white flowers, salinity, sea spray. PALATE passion fruit, lime zest, pink grapefruit, oyster shell.”
My Impressions: The minerality shone through in this crisp Albariño, a great pairing with the paella dinner.
2024 Pelio Estate Shelby Cuvée Pinot Noir, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $72 (#1823)
Winery Notes: “The 2021 Shelby gives a bouquet of bing cherries, red currant and baking spice with an underlying dried herbal component of sage and clove. On the palate this wine is bright featuring red fruits over barrel spice with elegant and integrated tannins.”
My Review: Ruby in color. Coca Cola on the nose. Palate of tobacco and cherry, representative of SLH, but not my style of Pinot Noir. June 2026
2023 Corral Pinot Noir, KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 14.25% ABV, $64 (#1824)
Winery Notes: “This wine offers deep, rich aromas of dark fruit, including black cherry, cranberry sauce, and toasted nutmeg, with hints of cassis and olallieberry. The palate features flavors of baking spices, strawberry, sweet cranberry, and Bing cherry, concluding with subtle notes of juniper and a long, lasting finish with significant depth.”
My Review: This Corral KW Ranch Pinot Noir stands above the typical Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots. The fruit and winemaking style make it a richer, meatier Pinot that event his non-Pinot lover can love it!
2023 Rombi Merlot, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, $65 (#1825)
My Impressions: This was the first wine I had at this event. Why not start with a wine I know I will love? I assumed I had experienced this wine before and did not capture any notes. I just realized it is a new-to-me wine, so I will have to come back with a fuller review the next time I taste it. It was perfect to have Rombi right next to Georis for, in essence, a side-by-side tasting. I overheard people talking highly about the two Merlots at the event. If you think you aren’t a Merlot fan, try one of these.
2019 Georis Clos des Moutons Merlot, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 13.8% ABV, $90 (#1826)
My Impressions: One of the top wines of the night and the most unctuous nose of the big reds at this event. Rich, with a little spice. Best Georis wine we’ve ever had.
2017 Boëté Reserve Cabernet Franc, Carmel Valley, Monterey County (#90)
My Impressions: I am a huge fan of Boëté Reserve Cabernet Franc wines. We’ve had access to this specific wine for many years and it was showing terrifically this weekend. Keep it coming, John and Jana!
2022 Twisted Roots Tempranillo, Lodi, 14% ABV, $65 (#1827)
Winery Notes: “Introducing Twisted Roots’ 2022 Tempranillo, a heartfelt tribute to our winemaker and co-owner’s Spanish heritage, crafted in his distinctive style to capture the soul of Spain. This elegant, medium-bodied wine enchants with a luscious blend of black and red cherry, accented by whispers of warm spice and subtle red fruit, all framed by velvety, soft tannins. Its restrained yet vibrant fruit profile makes it an effortlessly versatile companion, perfect for everything from casual gatherings to refined dinners. Savor this exquisite, easy-drinking Tempranillo that invites you to experience the passion and tradition of Twisted Roots Winery in every luxurious sip.”
My Impressions: Very cherry on the nose and palate– rich, smooth, and very drinkable. This wine could have a place in my cellar, for sure!
2022 Carmelo Vineyards Syrah, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $40 (#1828)
Winery Notes: “Savor the bold complexity of our Estate 2022 Syrah, a full-bodied masterpiece with notes of currant, blackberry, dried herbs, and toasted spice, boasting a bright yet complex purple core and a smooth finish, perfectly paired with flavorful meat dishes and starches.”
My Impressions: This was spicy and good – one of my favorites of the night. I had not experienced their Syrah before and it was a winner.
2022 Scratch C-47, Grenache/Syrah Blend, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $65 (#1829)
Winery Notes: “Super spicy on the nose with white pepper, black pepper, nutmeg and hint of juniper and fresh wet pipe tobacco. Blackberries, damson plum, vanilla and a little cocoa nib in the mouth. Super lush!”
My Impressions: I go through periods where I feel like I’m on Grenache overload – predisposed to say I don’t want it and won’t like it. Then I taste a wine like this Grenache-Syrah blend and I completely change my mind. Hands down, our favorite wine of the night. Blew me out of the water. Way to go, Sabrine.
2021 Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $85 (#1425)
My Review: When I had a choice of where to sit at the vast expense of two tables, I chose to sit right in front of the Rombi Cabernet Sauvignon. My notes from a previous tasting: “This wine is so good. It’s darker red in the glass than the Merlot. Has a nose of plum and allspice with a hint of cedar and dried orange peel. The palate has notes of pepper and herbes de Provence with a round mouth feel. At this young age, the tannins leave a very dry palate. It finishes with fig and cassis flavors. This wine is stupendous. It will age into one tremendous wine.” August 2024
© Decanting Monterey 2026
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