When we get a text or call from Summer, the tasting room manager for Parsonage, we pay attention! She told me that their annual wine and cheese pairing was already selling out! We managed to squeeze in a reservation just in time! The winery puts so much effort into matching their wines with cheeses from near and far. We were surprised to find a number of new releases at this tasting, so there are a bunch of wines to reveal today.
I was just getting ready to post a couple of Parsonage reviews about bottles aging in our cellar, so the timing of this event was perfect. Those wines were the 2018 Wildcard Red Blend (#533) and the 2014 Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (#1782). If you have either of these wines in your cellar, enjoy them!
The 2018 Wildcard is drinking well: Dark plum, blackberry, blueberry, prune on the nose. Robust full palate of dark, warm, fruit, brown sugar, baking spices, this has grown into quite a delicious wine. May 2026.
The 2014 Tanner was stellar, demonstrating the value of holding onto these wines: Dark, almost purple in the glass. Rich bouquet of cassis, farm jammy fruit, and a touch of cedar. Smooth, balanced and rich palate. One of the best wines we had this month. (Don’t tell the others.) July 2026
Today, in addition to the 2 above, I’m bringing you 4 newly-released Parsonage wines. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2024 Parsonage Chardonnay, Diamond T Vineyard, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $42 (#1782)
Winery Notes: “A tropical bouquet of pineapple and mango with subtle hints of ripe pear and white flowers. The full, round palate shows off these lovely fruit essences with a bracing and dynamic acidity.”
My Review: Pale cloudy in the glass. Pineapple and lemon on the nose. Bright yet balanced chardonnay. Acidic on the finish. August 2026
2023 Parsonage Hawk Reserve Pinot Noir, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $98 (#1783)
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.”
My Review: Fruity plum on the nose and on the palate. I get the rose petals and cola. It’s got some heft to it! August 2026
2022 Parsonage Dario Reserve Merlot, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $98 (#1784)
Winery Notes: “A huckleberry-loganberry fusion with hints of cassis and graphite dominate the nose enhancing the complex palate. This vintage shouts out across the sea to the Chateaux of Petrus and Le Pin… “Bring it on!!””
My Review: Licorice and cedar on the nose. Concentrated dark fruit on the palate – needs more time in the bottle to come out of its shell. Excellent pairing with the Black Bomber white cheddar from the UK. August 2026
2021 Parsonage Tanner Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 15% ABV, $98 (#1786)
My Review: I need to come back and taste this wine on its own, not after a big wine and cheese pairing. It is still young with a dry, tannic finish. Cellar this one. It has great potential. August 2026
THE TASTING ROOM
Visit Parsonage in their Carmel Valley Tasting Room located at19 E. Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley Village!
They are open every day: Monday – Friday: noon to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday: 11am to 5pm. Make a reservation on line or call 831-659-7322.
They are members of the AWS Welcome Here program – show your membership card for a discount! Check them out on Instagram here: @parsonagewinery.
Bunter Spring Winery held a members’ tasting in late May and I invited myself to attend. We have been fans of Mark Bunter’s wines since we first discovered them many years ago. This was a small, casual event at which everyone was made to feel like family.
Over the years we have known him he has made every type of wine, including crisp whites, fun red blends, experimental Syrahs and serious Cabernet Sauvignons. And listing every ingredient. You need to know what you are drinking!
Mark isn’t making wine anymore, but everyone was encouraging him to get back in the game. A selfish bunch, aren’t we!
THE WINERY
From their website:
“Bunter Spring Winery is a small family operated winery in the Coombsville AVA in the southeast corner of Napa Valley. We also have some production in Monterey. Most vintages we make a few hundred cases of wine, mostly for ourselves, but also for sale to friends on our mailing list, and a few restaurants and wine shops. Why make wine? We just don’t care for many of the wines sold today. We make the kind of wine we want to drink: balanced, interesting, made with few or no additives, and low or no sulfite. We list all ingredients, the actual sulfite level, and the actual alcohol level on every label. Incredibly, NO OTHER WINERY DOES THAT…”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 7 Bunter Spring wines, some of which I have written up before. As always, winery notes come from the tasting sheet, website, or conversations with the winery. Any mistakes are mine and mine alone.
2022 Bunter Spring White Wine, Santa Clara Valley AVA, Santa Clara County, 13% ABV $20 (#1480)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Your basic dry white wine, like in the Southern Mediterranean. Good with fish.” 40 cases produced.
My Review: Mark said this might be Sauvignon Blanc, but neither he nor we think so. Honey and lime on the nose. Acidic palate with a Meyer lemon finish. May 2026
2022 Bunter Spring Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Napa County (#1778)
My Review: Fresh Meyer lemon on the nose. Not like a Monterey Chardonnay at all. May 2026
2021 Bunter Spring Pinot Noir, Monterey County, 13.5% ABV, $40 (#1482)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Mostly from a famous vineyard in SLH, plus a little lower Carmel Valley fruit. French oaky, fruity, spicy, fun.”
My Review: This wine has aged a bit since my last review. A brown-ness in the color. Cherry, plum and leather on the nose. Dark cherry, leather on the caramel-y palate. Still a bit heftier than your typical SLH Pinot Noir. May 2026
2018 Hippie Syrah, Napa County, 14.12% ABV, $30 (#1483)
Winemaker’s Notes: “Here, the ‘wild’ yeast behaved themselves during a peaceful anti-establishment fermentation. We added a little sulfite to the one third that underwent two weeks of carbonic maceration. For a “Hippie” wine, it’s pretty square, with spicy American oak character and Napa depth of flavor, but it does have a little dank streak any Deadhead could love. Ingredients: Organic grapes, water, sulfite. Not filtered, not fined. At bottling: total sulfite 37 ppm, residual sugar <0.1 g/l (dry).
My Review: Purple in the glass Dark fruit, and a little smoke on the nose. The palate is still delicious. Continues to be one of our favorites of Mark’s wines! May 2026
Winemaker’s Notes: “50% carbonic maceration. Subtle, delicious, complex, with superb balance and a structure that complements many foods, and never overwhelms the palate. Definitely different from Cab, but familiar enough that any red wine lover could embrace it. Ingredients: Organic grapes, water, sulfite. Not fined, not filtered. At bottling: total SO2 39 ppm, residual sugar <0.1 g/l (bone dry).
My Review: Caramel on the nose, followed by an acidic palate. We’ve tasted this wine several times over the years and find it interesting as it matures in the bottle. May 2026
2017 Bunter Spring “Supernatural” Syrah, Coombsville AVA, Napa County, 13.45% ABV, $30 (#1780) Organic, No Added Sulfites
Winemaker’s Notes: “This wine meets all criteria to be labeled “Organic”. Nothing was added to it. It has a distinctive earthiness and toasted nut overtone, accentuated by a bourbon-like aroma and ripe red fruit flavors. The most “natural” of all our wines. Not filtered, not fined. At bottling: total sulfite 4 ppm, residual sugar <0.1 g/l (totally dry).
My Review: Lots of berry fruit with a touch of blue cheese or soap on the nose. The fruit carries over to the palate with a sour finish. I’d like to try this one again with food. May 2026
2014 Spring Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County (#1780)
My Review: Delicious. Mark knows how to make great wines. Sadly, this was not available for purchase! May 2026
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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