Tagged: @decanting_monterey

Caelesta: Altitude + Limestone = Deliciousnesss!

front label for Caelestra wines

THE STORY

If you are an avid reader of Decanting Monterey, you know my better half scours K&L Wine Merchants for highly rated/bargain priced wines. And he knows I like those big reds from Paso Robles. So what could be more perfect than the 2 red blends from Caelesta I am presenting today. 

This is my first post about Caelesta wines.

THE WINERY

From their website: “Caelesta is the culmination of family, passion, and a dedication to expressing the unique terroir of the Templeton Gap AVA in Paso Robles. Situated at 1,400 feet with 360-degree vineyard aspects and Linne Calodo limestone soils, the Caelesta estate yields wines with velvety tannin structure, vibrant acidity, and unmistakable sense of place — all with a focus on sustainability for this generational ranch.” You can read more about them here: The Land.

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 2 Caelesta wines.Winery notes come from the K&L website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the websites of others.

2021 Caelesta Appollo Red Blend, Templeton Gap District, Paso Robles, 14.8% ABV, $20 (#1794) 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Petite Sirah (still available as of 8/25)

2021 Apollo bottle label

K&L Notes: “Apollo is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend with a smaller portion of Petite Sirah. Brian consulted with legendary Napa Valley winemaker Tony Biagi of Hourglass, PlumpJack, CADE, To Kalon Wine Co., Amici, Odette, and others to help hone his Cabernet Sauvignon skills after focusing primarily on Rhône varieties. It seems to have done the trick, as this Cabernet-based blend is stunning. Very lifted, with lavender, crushed cassis, blackberry, hints of green tobacco leaf, crushed-rock minerality, and sexy oak spice around the edges. A bold but beautifully polished wine. STUNNING value at this ludicrous price.” Ryan Woodhouse.  92-points Wine Enthusiast

My Review: Beautiful dense, dark color with a purple ring. Coats the glass when I swirl. Berry jam and black cherry on the nose. Tongue coating on the palate with juicy flavors finishing with cedar notes. A little earthy on the rich finish. We ordered some more. June 2026

2021 Caelesta Ara Red Blend, Templeton Gap District, Paso Robles, 14.8% ABV, $25 (#1795) 76% Tempranillo 24% Mourvèdre (sold out)

K&L Notes: “This is a gorgeous proprietary red blend grown at Caelesta Estate. The 2021 Ara combines Tempranillo with Mourvèdre, or Mataro as it would be known in Spain. The varieties work in perfect union with one another, delivering stunningly pure, rich fruit: macerated dark cherry, blackberry, woodsy spices, hints of leather, and dusty earth. Full-bodied and saturating on the palate, but with lots of dynamic energy and vibrancy, too. The rocky mineral core beams through the ripe fruit and lingers long on the palate. Drinking great now, but also a wine with clear potential to develop further complexity in the cellar, so don’t be afraid to buy a few to lay down for 5–8 years.” Ryan Woodhouse. 94 points – Wine Enthusiast.

My Review: Dark in the glass. Licorice and earth on the nose. Intense dark fruit with overtones of licorice and tannins, making this a chewy wine. Alcohol dominates the finish, making it slightly bitter. I’d like to retaste this wine in a few years, for sure! June 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

The Caelesta Vineyards Tasting Room is located at 2855 El Pomar Dr, Templeton, CA. You can reserve a wine – or truffle (!) – tasting here.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

A Summer Gathering with Brosseau Wines!

THE STORY

Earlier this month, Brosseau held a celebration of summer and a release of its latest white blend and Pinot Noir (both excellent, by the way). I was pleased to be included in this event by my partner in wine for the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter, Janet Torelli. In addition to the new wines,we enjoyed food prepared by Executive Chef Nance’ Danner Rocha, owner of Pacific Coast Private Chefs.

We were entertained with live music by Bill and his daughter, Shaeley Brosseau on the ukelele!

This is my second post about Brosseau wines.You can find my previous post here: New Brosseau Wine Studio Impresses AWS Monterey! I recommend reading that post for more info about Brosseau winery and the wine studio. You can read their whole story here: https://www.brosseauwines.com/About-Us/Our-Story

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 5 Brosseau wines. Winery notes come from their website or the tasting sheet. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2023 Brosseau Balconies White Blend, Brosseau Vineyard Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 13.7% ABV, $30 (#1790)

label for the 2023 Balconies White Blend

My Review: Golden in the glass. Honeysuckle, pear and caramel on the nose. I enjoyed this wine and wanted to take some home. August 2026

2021 Brosseau Estate Chardonnay, Brosseau Vineyard, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $40 (#1791)

label for the 2021 Chardonnay

My Review: Golden in the glass. Lots of minerality. I would have served this before the white blend. August 2026

2023 Brosseau Grenache Rosé, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $20 (#1719)

2023 Grenache Rose bottle label

My Review: Barely a hint of pink in the glass – I mean barely!  Honeysuckle and apple cider on the nose. The refreshing light yet balanced palate is followed by a distinctive, lingering thyme or rosemary herbal finish. March & August 2026

2023 Brosseau Estate Pinot Noir, Brosseau Vineyard, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $40 (#1792)

2023 Pinot Noir bottle label

My Review: Plum and cherry on the medium palate. Tasty. I tend to like his Pinot Noir wines. August 2026

2019 Brosseau Brody Red Blend, Brosseau Vineyard, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, 14.3% ABV, $40 #1793)

website image of the 2019 Brosseau Brody Red Blend
Image from the Brosseau website

Winery Notes: “Scents and flavors of boysenberry, blackberry, sage, cherry, cocoa. Expansive mouthfeel, smooth tannins and vibrant acidity make for a pleasing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.”

My Review: Blueberry, cherry on the nose. Rich palate of dark plum, blackberry, dark cherry. I had purchased this wine in March without tasting it and super enjoyed it. May 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

Integrating Nature, Society, Science, and the Arts

“Brosseau Wine Studio was born out of Bill’s intrinsic motivation to unite iconic vineyard sites from our special wine region, with people who are passionate about attention to detail in farming and winemaking. The Studio offers an exploratory wine experience and more. A place to nurture and encourage personal connections and artistry in wine and beyond.

“We are located less than 1 mile from the Pacific Ocean in the cool and foggy town of Marina, CA. To reserve a tasting experience with the Brosseaus, please click the link below. We look forward to visiting with you and sharing a personalized, immersive, and unforgettable experience.”

Read more and book your experience here: VISIT US AT BROSSEAU WINE STUDIO.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

A Taste of Monterey: Lovely Summer Tasting with a View!

THE STORY

In June, 2 of my neighbors and I decided to take a walk to A Taste of Monterey in historic Cannery Row to get in our exercise with a little fun at the destination. We each got to select the 5 wines we wanted to taste, tailoring our individual tastings to our own palates. From our seats at the bar, we had a delightful view down the water side of Canner Row to the west and north across the massive Monterey Bay.   I’m excited to announce that one of the wines just has been selected for the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter’s December holiday party!

2 smiling women at the tasting
My friend enjoying their wines!

A Taste of Monterey is under relatively new management.  We’ve met a few times since this tasting with owner Britt Talbert who is changing things up a bit there, expanding its wine holdings and food menu. It’s an exciting thing to see unfold.  Their new marketing director Gina Martin is fabulous to work with – and the new chef Bruce Finch has elevated the culinary offerings.  On another visit, we were presented a sample charcuterie board and everything on it was the finest quality and taste with a beautiful presentation. 

charcuterie board of olives, salami, array of cheeses, ad dried fruits front of 3 wine bottles.
Scrumptious Charcuterie Board!

You can read my last post about A Taste of Monterey here: A Taste of Monterey: An AWS Holiday Party to Remember!

THE WINES

Today I am presenting the 5 wines from my flight. They are all from Monterey County. 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.

NV Folktale Sparkling Rosé, Monterey County, 12% ABV, $45 (#1687)

Bottle label for the Folktale Sparkling Rose

Winery Notes: “Brilliant rose gold in color, the Rosé Brut sparkling wine opens with soft notes of watermelon, kiwi and a beautiful yeasty quality that invites you in. The palate is elegant, with cherry, floral, and a creamy texture that has a bright finish.”

My Review: I’ve presented this one before – it is just such a delicious sparkling wine from our region. Pale pink. Tiny bubbles. A touch of peach and yeast on the crisp palate. June 2026

2023 Cru Chardonnay, Smith & Lindley Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands , Monterey County, $25 (#1787)

Label of the 2023 Cru Chardonnay

Winery Notes: “This Chardonnay is a lovely representation of Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands. It opens with notes pineapple, peach and apricot that develop into flavors of honeydew melon and kiwi with a finish accented by vanilla and coconut. The wine is beautifully balanced with delightful acidity, mineral accents and a long, rich finish.”

My Review: Pale yellow and slightly viscous in the glass. Butter and grilled pineapple on the nose. Delicious palate of Meyer lemon, pineapple notes, very rich. June 2026

2022 Cru Pinot Noir, Smith & Lindley Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 13.9% ABV, $25 (#1788)

bottle label of the 2022 Cru Pinot Noir

Winery Notes: “This lovely wine is a tribute to the Santa Lucia Highlands featuring both the earthy and fruit flavors that this region is so well known for. It opens with dark cherry, strawberry, pomegranate and cinnamon with beautifully balanced structure. It finishes with a hint of plum and chocolate on the long finish.”

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

2021 Le Mistral Joseph’s Blend, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $50 (#1789) 61% Grenache, 39% Syrah

Le Mistral: “Raspberry, blackberry jam, clove, hay, leather, lavender, and cherry cola notes. The wine is elegant and has juicy tannins from the soft oak influence. This wine would pair well with anything from chicken, pasta, steak, or lamb.” 93 points Wine Enthusiast

My Review: Dark garnet, almost purple in the glass. Brown sugar and dark fruit one the nose. Pretty delicious. This is the wine we just selected for our holiday party. June 2026

2022 Paysan Petite Sirah, Pierce Ranch Vineyards, San Antonio Valley, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $35 (#1309)

Winery Notes: “One way to beat the fall heat spikes of 2022 is to pick before they hit. Heat is a fact of life in the San Antonio Valley and the secret is to work with well adapted varieties. Thick skinned Petite Sirah is a lovely choice and on the fractured silicate and calcareous rock of Block One it yields a wine of surprising elegance and grace. I made the wines for Pierce Ranch for several years earlier in my career, so I know the vineyard well and this is one of their premier blocks. Fermented with 30% whole cluster and aged in neutral oak for 11 months.”

My Review: Damp soil and licorice on the nose. Dried dark fruit on the dry palate. I think this is worthy of a re-taste, as it should have been much fruitier, based on my previous reviews and expectations. June 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

A Taste of Monterey is located at 700 Cannery Row, Ste. KK (head to the back of the first floor and up the staircase), Monterey, CA – 93940 Phone: (831) 646-5446. Hours: Open Sunday-Thursday 12pm-6pm; Friday-Saturday 12pm-8pm.  Click here for more information on wine tastings and food. 

3 wine glasses with red wine with the Monterey Bay behind it

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

Parsonage Cheese Pairing: A Delicous Way to Unveil Powerful New Releases!

THE STORY

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.

Assortment of cheeses holding flags for each wine

One of the real treats was getting to taste a library wine – the 2003 Estate Syrah (pre-Rocco), which I reviewed a couple of years ago here: The Parsonage 2003 Cuvee Rocco: A Wine to Behold!

HandwrittenParsons Estate Syrah 2003 on a magnum

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!

Image of bottle label for 2014 Tanner with blue peacock on the quipted image

  • 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

My last post about Parsonage was here: The Sisters: A New Red Blend from Parsonage (and more)!

THE WINES

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)

image of quilt of grape leaves and clusters - bottle label for this chardonnay

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)

quilt image of boy and a hawk as the label for this bottle

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)

tall grape vines and poppies quilted label for the Dario

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)

bottle label for the tanner with quilted blue pecock

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.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

Anonymous: A Ballard Canyon Syrah for a Bargain Price

Banner with the words Anonymous Wine Collective K&L "Wines You'll Never forget - from wineries we'll never disclose" and 3 wine bottles on the side

THE STORY

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you will know that I am a sucker for Ballard Canyon AVA Syrah wines from Santa Barbara County.  When we stumbled upon an Anonymous one at a bargain price on K&L Wine Merchants website, we knew we had to give it a try.  This one was rated 94 points for only $20. For a Ballard Canyon Syrah.  Crazy, right?

We’ve been experimenting with Anonymous wines for a while now and have been very pleased.  You can try them yourselves by searching “Anonymous” on the K&L website. Love the labels – bottles wrapped in plain brown bags, reminiscent of a blind tasting.

THE WINE COLLECTIVE

From the Ryan Woodhouse’s K&L Newsletter introducing the Anonymous Wine Collective:

“The Anonymous Wine Collective is a dynamic range of wines made in collaboration between K&L and some of the most famous and critically acclaimed wineries in the biz. Some releases will be purely opportunistic, one-off wines, never to be repeated. Others will be ongoing collaborations where we work in tandem with world-class winemakers to make wines each year. Those ongoing relationships will be at the core of the project. Anonymous allows us to work with incredibly talented people and craft the wines, from vine to bottle. I’m proud to say that, with these first releases, I have personally walked in each of the vineyards from which they were sourced. The Anonymous Wine Collective isn’t about buying random, generic, soulless bulk wine. It’s about using our knowledge and long-cemented relationships to bring exceptional wines to our customers at prices that are a fraction of where these wines would typically sell. Our winery partners get an upfront commitment for the wines, often while they’re still in barrel; and in some cases while they’re still on the vine (now there’s trust for you)! In return, we get exceptional wine and phenomenal pricing, all while protecting the anonymity of the wineries behind the project.”

Image of 4 Anonymous wine bottles with labels depicting a wine bottle wrapped in a plain brown bag
Anonymous Wine Lineup – Image used with permission of K&L Wine Merchants

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 1 Anonymous wine. K&L notes come from the K&L website. Images come from anonymouswine.com, klwines.com and the back label of the bottle. Images are used with permission of K&L Wine Merchants. As a practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites. Any other mistakes are mine and mine alone.

2024 Anonymous Envy Block Syrah, Ballard Canyon AVA, Santa Barbara County, 14% ABV, $20 (#1781)

back label of wine bottle depicting wine detailes wih vineyard and winery redacted in black.
Back Label of the 2024 Anonymous Ballard Canyon Syrah

K&L Notes: “Another first for the Anonymous Wine Collective: a Syrah under our house label. And what an absolute beauty to kick things off. Sourced from one single hillside block of vines, that we’ve named “Envy Block” due to it’s reputation as the sweet spot on this estate for producing the most potent and explosive Syrah. This very block is coveted by some of the most famed cult producers on the Central Coast and has produced multiple 100-point wines. Most wines sourced from this exact parcel retail between $80 and $160, many of them exclusive mailing-list offerings. Most wines sourced from this exact parcel retail between $80 and $160, many of them exclusive mailing-list offerings. Farmed with certified organic and biodynamic methods. The nose is wonderfully expressive with wild blackberry, black raspberry, dark cherry, dried herbs, violets, and hints of dusty earth. Beneath the exuberant fruit lies a compelling savory streak of cracked peppercorn, charred meat, and toasted exotic spice. Medium-plus in body, the wine carries a mouth-filling texture layered with fine tannins that provide impressive structure and length. The whole-cluster inclusion lifts the aromatics beautifully and keeps the wine fresh, energetic, and linear through the finish. This is a remarkably classy bottle of Syrah and, at this price point, an almost unbelievable value. I think it will resonate equally with lovers of savory Northern Rhône Syrah and fans of rich yet refined California Rhône-style wines. I couldn’t be happier with how this wine turned out – I only hope we made enough once people discover just how good it is for the money.” Ryan Woodhouse, K&L

My Review: The pretty garnet in the glass gives the appearance it’s going to be fruity. I get crushed berries, Concord grapes on the nose, big palate of intense fruits. Slightly bitter with a hint of earth on the finish. Tight upon opening, but then revealed a fabulous wine. For the price, it’s exceptional. May 2026.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

Happy Sixth Birthday, Decanting Monterey!

Plus Wine Industry Insights from the 2025 Monterey County Crop Report

coastal image of a wine glass with rocks, trees and water

THE STORY

Today marks the sixth anniversary of Decanting Monterey, A Central Coast Wine Blog! When I envisioned this website, I wanted it to reflect my passion for exposing Monterey County wines to those who might not even know our wine growing region exists.  Or for those who might only have heard of our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards and wines. 

In our personal wine journey, we began exploring Monterey wines because our family lived nearby.  We would occasionally stumble upon a stunning Cabernet Sauvignon (Durney) or an outstanding red blend (Bernardus Marinus). The light went on for me personally when we were referred by one tasting room to visit a vineyard and winery in Carmel Valley, showing us that Monterey, in addition to those elegant Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, could produce impressive, award-worthy, full-bodied reds.  That winery was Parsonage.  And we discovered Mercy and Chesebro, with exceptional wines from Arroyo Seco, expanding our horizons on great wine producing regions in Monterey County. We found Ian Brand one day, when his tasting room first opened, and began to explore his paradigm-shifting winemaking. And Rombi for making perhaps the biggest, most complex reds in the county. Today we watch closely the ever-evolving wine landscape in Monterey including the emerging Carmel Coast AVA with newer wineries such as Domaine Messier.

image of logo - a black outlined wine bottle and glass with these words in red below: Decanting Monterey A Central Coast Wine Blog

Whether you get my weekly reviews delivered to your email (sign up today – it is free!), see them on social media (Instagram, Facebook, or CELLAR TRACKER, or discover them via Google search; I hope you are enjoying reading about our Monterey wines through my lens. I value every view, like, and comment. I write this self-funded blog out of passion for our Monterey wines, and have continued to keep this space ad-free for you. I deeply appreciate each and every one of you who is reading my posts!

A BRIEF RECAP OF THE LAST 6 YEARS

Year 1: Deep in the unvaccinated period of the pandemic in July 2020, Decanting Monterey initially was focused on wines from our own collection sampled at home, with or without our neighboring friends and our daughters, who eventually became known as the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod. I also established the @decantingmonterey Facebook page.

An assembly of many used wine glasses
Testing COVID Wine Tasting Procedures Back in 2020!

During Year 2, as we became fully vaccinated and boosted, we were able to get out to more local wineries at a more deliberate pace. Most of the posts were based on event-driven or winery tastings and fewer individual, cellar-driven posts. I started the @decanting_monterey Instagram feed.

During Year 3, the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter invited me to join them as a Board Advisor. I arranged 8 of their monthly events. I also presented our Monterey wines to 3 classes: in Washington DC, in Northern Virginia, and to the Carmel Rotary. I covered 2 local wine events: the Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival and the Monterey Winemakers Celebration.

Image of the inside of the huge Mer Soleil brrel room with wine tasting tables and people
Sun, Wind and Wine at Mer Soleil

Year 4 was the strongest year for Decanting Monterey. I was nominated for Best Local Blog in the Monterey County Weekly’s 2023 “Best of” competition. I covered 8 local wine events, including the 30th Monterey Winemakers Celebration, the Arroyo Seco Winegrowers 40th Anniversary, the 50th Anniversary of the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association, the Grand Opening  of LadySomm in the Barnyard, the East End Passport, and the Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine Festival. Arranged 7 winery visits and supported 2 tasting events for the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter. I also presented 5 Monterey wines to an East Coast wine appreciation group.

During Year 5, we kept on going, covering the final Monterey Winemakers Celebration put on by the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association, which generously comped me VIP tickets. Decanting Monterey was named 2024/2025 Wine Blog of the Year by Corporate Live Wire and was the recipient of LuxLife Magazine‘s 2024 Hospitality Award for Best Monterey Wine Blog. It was also awarded 2025 Best Central Coast Wine Blog. During this period, I was selected as Vice Chair of the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter. I arranged 7 of their winery visits and supported 1 tasting event.

The author and her vice chair with rows of student chefs in the background
AWS Monterey Chapter Vice Chair and Me at Cabrillo College

During Year 6, I became the Chair of the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter, so my time shifted to those responsibilities while maintaining the weekly blog posts for Decanting Monterey. I organized 7 of their events, most at our local wineries and created their social media sites. I reported on one wine tasting trip to Paso Robles and attended The Perfect Pair – a Cabrillo College Culinary & Wine Showcase of Santa Cruz Mountain AVA wines.

HIGH LEVEL STATS FROM YEAR SIX

Pie chart of California Counties depicted in year 6 of Decanting Monterey
Wines Presented by California County

  • www.decantingmonterey.com surpassed the 43,000 “views” mark. If you are seeing my blog on social media or via email, please be sure to click the link and open it!
  • In its lifetime, 402 total posts and 1,780 wines.
  • 237 wines (209 for the first time) were written up on Decanting Monterey in Year 6, including 168 reds, 55 whites, 14 rosés, including 9 sparkling wines.
  • Wines from 14 California counties are represented, with over 53% from Monterey and 28% from San Luis Obispo.
bar chart of wines by Monterey AVA showing Carmel Valley and Arroyo Seco leading the rest
Wines by Monterey AVA

  • Wines from 6 of the 10 Monterey American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) were covered, with the most from Carmel Valley, followed closely by Arroyo Seco and then the Santa Lucia Highlands.
  • Corral was the most represented family of wines, followed by Parsonage, Lepe Cellars, Odonata  and Chesebro.
  • There were no out-of-state or foreign wines presented.
  • Finally, we covered a Santa Cruz Mountain culinary and wine event and a trip to Paso Robles.  

2025 MONTEREY COUNTY CROP REPORT WINE HIGHLIGHTS

I’ve written before about the declining wine market as people focus more on their health and drink less. The recent release of the 2025 Monterey County Crop Report highlights this situation quite directly, with a staggering 25% drop in the value of wine grapes in the county in a single year. Since its height in 2015, the value of wine grapes has dropped 38%. It’s a worrisome trend for our vineyards and our wineries. Across the world, wine production is declining.  This Forbes article contains the global picture: The Wine Industry Continues To Struggle With Production And Consumption. I don’t know how much it affects our smaller, local wineries with their loyal followings, but the shift in the marketplace needs attention, with an eye to both short-term and longer-term strategies. Is this a permanent shift? Is wine becoming passé? Here are the stats from the crop report:

A listing of the top Monterey crops
Wine Grapes Have Been Steadily Decreasing over the Last Few Years
  • Grapes went down in ranking from 8th place in 2024, to 9th place in 2025 – behind strawberries, leaf and head lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, spinach, and nursery and flower.
  • Acreage of planted grapes declined from 39,600 in 2024 to 37,800 in 2025.  
  • Grape crop value decreased from $152,251,000 in 2024 to $114,603,000 in 2025.
Image from crop report showing acreage and value of fruit crops
Wine Grapes Continue to Decline in Acreage and Value

ONWARD, DECANTING MONTEREY!

While I have some posts already queued up for Year 7, let me ask my mighty readers:  Where should I visit next?  A new winery or region? A Monterey winery I may have overlooked? Please leave me a comment on this post and let me know what some of your favorite, local places are to wine taste that I should not miss in Year 7!

And, if you have not signed up for my free, weekly blog email. I judge how well I am doing by how many views, subscribers, and comments I receive. No ads and I don’t sell your data. Please help me spread the word and feel free to comment on my posts! And follow my Facebook (@DecantingMonterey) and Instagram (@decanting_monterey) sites.

Image of Larry Bell pouring wine into wine glasses
Larry Bell, Proprietor, Corral Wine Co.

I don’t want to leave today’s post without expressing my gratitude to those vintners who have comped me wine tastings, given me discounts, and especially those who have donated bottles of wine! I am grateful to Bernardus, Corral Wine Co., Lepe Cellars, Parsonage, Rombi, and Shale Canyon for their generosity this year in donated wines, steep discounts or assistance with group tastings. I am especially thankful for Sal Rombi who has repeatedly donated pre-release wines for us to taste in-depth and replacement bottles for many of the wines I have reviewed. And to my fellow board members at the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter who continue to trust me to organize their events. And, of course, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod which makes this all tons of fun!

image from their holiday party of the AWS Monterey Chapter board members in front of a wine bottle holiday "tree"
Fellow AWS Monterey Chapter Board Members in December 2025

So, here we go – onto Year 7!  I don’t think I will ever surpass Year 4, but even coasting in this world of Monterey wines has allowed me to access and promote some of the very best California has to offer. I hope you will try some wines from Monterey County and share your experiences with me!

Central Coast Sharon

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

Mark Bunter: Want to Know What’s in Your Glass?

THE STORY

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)

wine bottle with label for the 2022 white wine

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)

wine bottle with label for the 2022 chardonnay

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)

wine bottle with label for the 2021 Pinot Noir

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)

wine bottle with label for the 2018 Hippie Syrah with a peace sin and orange background

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

2017 Bunter “Natur” Syrah, Coombsville AVA, Napa County, 12.86% ABV, $30 (#1483)

wine bottle with label for the 2017 Bunter 'nature' Syrah with a black shield featuring a leaping buck

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

wine bottle with label for the 2019 "Supernatural" Syrah

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)

wine bottle with label for the 2014 Spring Cabernet Sauvignon featuring a red tulip

My Review: Delicious.  Mark knows how to make great wines. Sadly, this was not available for purchase! May 2026

You can sometimes find a pop-up tasting with Mark Bunter and Margaret Spring in the back room of the Big Sur Vineyards tasting room in Carmel Valley Village. Check out the Bunter Spring Winery Facebook Page and the Bunter Spring Winery Instagram page for more information.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

A Much Overdo Tasting at Windy Oaks!

THE STORY

The Windy Oaks tasting room in Carmel Valley is a great space for a party.  Combine that with their impressive Pinot Noirs from the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA – and you have a great event in the making. I’ve been talking to Angie, the tasting room manager, for sometime about hosting the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter. When I stopped there in June, I decided to do a quick tasting.  

Image of tasting room manager pouring wine into a glass

Yikes – It’s been 4 years since I have presented a post on Windy Oaks wines. The last one was here: Windy Oaks: Les Deux Grands Crus and More Pinot Noir!

THE WINERY

“Windy Oaks: Fine Wines With A Sense Of Place

“Windy Oaks Estate’s premium wines are grown in unique terroirs in Monterey and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Winemakers Jim and Judy Schultze have been offering fine wines with a sense of place since 1999.” You can read more about them here.

THE WINES

Today, I am presenting 5 Windy Oaks wines. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I don’t correct typos from winery websites. Today’s wines come from both Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. They have updated their tasting menu since I was there in June.

2020 Windy Oaks Sparkling Albariño, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $49 (#1773)

label of a vintage woman in a swing for the Albarino

Winery Notes: “Sourced from the Arroyo Seco AVA in Monterey County, the Methode Champenoise is utilized for a crisp and lively sparkling wine gauranteed to liven up any occasion!”

albarino bottle and glass with a pour of the wine

My Review: Light gold in the glass. Hint of apple on the nose. Tiny bubbles on the crisp, acidic palate with brioche on the finish. June 2026

2023 Windy Oaks Old Vine Viognier, Chalone AVA, Monterey County, $35 (#1774)

bottle label image for the Old Vines viognier

Winery Notes: “This dry, elegant and mineral-toned Viognier is beautifully textured and richly flavored with full body with apricot lemon honeysuckle and butter cream with hints of chalky stones and vanilla.”

My Review: Yellow/light gold and viscous in the glass. Heavy nose of grilled peach and toast. Rich palate of oak, peach, and Meyer lemon. There is a lot going on in this glass. Intriguing. Viognier is hard to find in Monterey County. This one was unexpected. June 2026

2022 Windy Oaks Henry’s Block Pinot Noir, Schultze Family Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 13.6% ABV, $64 (#1775)

Elegant front label for the Henry's Block Pinot Noir

Winery Notes: “Henry’s Block is among the original plantings at Windy Oaks in the late 90’s. Named after one of our founders father: Henry. Single Acre, French/Swiss clone of Pinot Noir, Wadenswil 2A.”

My Review: Translucent ruby in the glass. Light cherry notes on the slightly sweet nose. I picked up alcohol on the nose, as well. Nice palate. June 2026

2022 Windy Oaks Clone 943 Pinot Noir, Escolle Vineyard, Rodeo Queen Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA,     Monterey County, $54 (#1776)

label from the front of the 2022 Pinot Noir bottle - lady in swing

Winery Notes: “Dark ruby and aromatic the Rodeo Queen Clone 943 has an array of  red fruits, spice, floral notes and subtle toasty French oak.”

My Review:   A really pretty ruby in the glass. Macerated fruit with cherry and earthy notes. Rich dark fruit on the yummy palate, with a bit of smoke on the finish. June 2026

2021 Windy Oaks Night Owl Red, Monterey County, $25 (#1777)

Label image of the 2022 Night Owl Red depicting the silhouette of an owl sitting on a branch with a golden moon in the background

Winery Notes: “A classic Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, that is delightfully playful, dark garnet/red hued and full of flavor with a medium weight body and easy textures captures Monterey County’s Mediterranean warmth and marine influenced cool/crisp detail.”

My Review: Garnet in the glass. Dark fruit and a little brown sugar on the nose. Grenache dominates the palate. A good food wine. June 2026

THE TASTING ROOMS

You can visit Windy Oaks at the winery in Corralitos, Carmel-By-The-Sea, and Carmel Valley Village.  Check here for the details here: Visit Us.  Please call 831-724-9562 for reservations and other pertinent info.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

Corral Wine Co. Wows Members with its Magnums!

lineup of 5 magnum bottles

THE STORY

In April, Corral Wine Co. hosted its members for a magnum party.  With a beautiful display of delicious foods provided by Carmel Valley Creamery, it was a fabulous event. We sampled and savored 5 of Corral’s wines in magnum format.  Very cool.  My takeaway was that wine bottled in magnums has the chance to develop differently than in a 750 ml bottle. We even took one home! Yowza! Congrats to the Corral team for their excellent wines and a terrific event.

Photo of food display

My last post about Corral Wine Co.  was here: Oops – We Joined Another Wine Club: Corral Wine Co.! I’ve written about them several times – just type “Corral” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

Owner Larry Bell pouring from a magnum bottle into empty wine glasses

THE WINERY

From their website: “In 2017, in a barn in Corral de Tierra, California, we barreled our first batch of estate Pinot Noir. We’re still in that same barn, but we’ve made even more varietals from some of the best grapes on the Central Coast.

“We’re a family-owned operations – we’re not fancy, but we make good wine.”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 5 Corral Wine Co. wines. The first 4, I have reviewed before but I am providing updated reviews today. 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’ notes.

Tasting card listing the 5

2022 Corral Estate Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, $68/$180 (#1695)

Image of the 2022 Estate Pinot Noir. Bell Ranch magnum

Winery Notes: “Rich concentrated aromas of red fruits such as dark cherry, and strawberry with hints of cranberry, savory spices, and fine toasted oak. Slight aromas of cassis, leading way into sweet baking spices. Full of flavor this wine has a nice balance to it with aromas and flavors of cherry, clove, and baking spices with a nice long finish.”

My Review: Pretty in the glass – “vintage red”. Saddle leather on the nose. Nice palate of cherry and leather. I have to say tasting this wine on this day was an eye-opener, perhaps our favorite of the 3 pinot noirs we tasted that day. April 2026

2022 Corral Pinot Noir,  KW Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA,  Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $58/$160 (#1533)

Image of the 2022 KW Ranch Pinot Noir magnum

Winery Notes: “Nice rich aromas of dark cherry, casis, and forest floor and earthiness leading into ripe dark berries and a hint of leather and sweet baking spices to finish. Its refined richness and bold elegance lead way into a rich mouthfeel and layers of soft tannin and subtle sweetness for a nice long finish.”

My Review: Garnet in color. Violet and mellow cherry on the pleasant nose. Rich cherry jam countered by leather on the complex palate, finishing with subtle tannins. A richer flavor than most SLH Pinot Noirs, slightly sweet on the front with a little lingering menthol on the finish. Consistently one of our favorite SLH Pinot Noirs. February and March 2025 + April 2026

2022 Corral Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $64/$160 (#1696)

image of the 2022 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir magnum

Winery Notes: “Classic SLH Pinot Noir with aromas of darker fruit, ripe cherry and a freshness made up of sandalwood and a slight earthiness, sweet spice, and a warm richness. With a nice rich and lush mouthfeel and a long lasting finish.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass. Delicious plum and spice on the rich, slightly earthy nose, followed by dark fruit and caramel on the palate. I like this one. March and April 2026

2022 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon, Armory Vineyard, Adelaida District, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $87/$218 (#1745)

image of the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon magnum

Winery Notes: “Dry farmed since day 1 allowing a nice rich dark fruit driven wine with intense color and concentrated aromas of bing cherry, plum, and spices with hints of peppercorn, cedar, wilder herbs, leather, and a dusty finish. With rich flavors of plum, blueberry cobbler, dark chocolate, violets, and hints of tobacco leaf.”

My Review: Beautiful purple in the glass. Clove, dark plum, blackberry, blueberry and a touch of menthol on the nose. Smooth, rich, dark palate with eucalyptus notes on the finish. I enjoyed this wine. March and April 2026

2022 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, $140 (#1754)

Image of the 2022 Petite Sirah magnum

My Review: Dark garnet in the glass.  Cassis on the nose. Intense palate of intense concentrated dark fruit. I couldn’t help myself and took one home. April 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

Image of 2 wine glasses filled with red wines set on a wooden table

VISIT US

“We’d love to pour for you at our Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village: 19 East Carmel Valley Rd. Suite A, Carmel Valley, CA”

Open Sunday – Thursday 12-5 p.m., Friday – Saturday 12-6-ish p.m.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

Birthday Celebration with Bubblies and More from Caraccioli!

image of bottle of 2023 pinot noir with a poured wine glass next to it

THE STORY

My best friend from high school came down so we could celebrate the midpoint between our birthdays. While waiting for our table at popular Nora’s restaurant in Carmel-By-The-Sea, we popped over to Caraccioli Cellars for a quick tasting. We were only a couple of bubblies in when our lunch reservation came through – and our server invited us to simply come back after our lunch! Sweet!

photo of pasta and shrimp in a light cream sauce topped with capers and herbs
Delicious Shrimp Scampi from Nora’s

It’s been a long time (December 2021) since I had done a tasting at Caraccioli Cellars.  My post about that tasting was here: Caraccioli Cellars: Adding a Real Sparkle to Our New Year’s Eve!

THE WINERY

From Their Website:

“A family run winery, Caraccioli Cellars takes pride in developing wines that deliver an expression true to vintage and estate. Founded in 2006, Caraccioli Cellars’ commitment began utilizing solely Santa Lucia Highlands grapes and has transitioned to a completely estate winery. We aim to highlight Escolle Vineyard through all our sparkling and still wine expressions. The Brut Cuvée and Brut Rosé are the flagships of our production. Internationally renowned winemaker, the late Michel Salgues, founded the techniques that form the foundation of our winemaking practices. Under the direction of Scott Caraccioli, and the guidance and daily practices of Greg and Chris Vita his legacy lives on.”

You can read their whole story here: https://www.caracciolicellars.com/story/.

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 5 Caraccioli Cellars wines.Winery notes come from their website or the tasting sheet. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2020 Caraccioli  Brut Cuvée, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 12% ABV, $65 (#1729)

image of label for 2020 Brut Cuvee

Winery Notes: “Hints of green apple and lemon curd balanced by rich autolytic characteristics of brioche and almond add a touch of honeyed depth. The fine creamy mousse and well integrated acidity lead to a finish that lingers endlessly.”

My Review: Tiny bubbles in the glass. Yeasty on the nose with faint creamy apple to balance acidity.  March 2026

2020 Caraccioli  Brut Rosé, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 12% ABV, $75 (#1730)

image of label for 2020 Brut Rose

Winery Notes: “Nuances of freshly baked bread and delicate brioche reflect time on the lees, adding depth and texture. A lively, mouthwatering acidity drives the wine forward, creating an energetic and refreshing profile that is both celebratory and sophisticated. The finish is crisp and persistent, leaving a lingering impression of red fruit and refined toast.”

My Review: Barely pink in the glass. Delightful creamy mouse – very balanced and delicious. A nice crispness on the finish. A favorite. March 2026

2025 Caraccioli Rosé of Pinot Noir, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $40 (#1731)

image of label for 2025 Rose

Winery Notes: “Delicate notes of melon, citrus zest, and ocean spray leave the palate refreshed and ready for the next sip.”

My Review: Perfume on the palate with banana notes on the finish. March 2026

2024 Caraccioli  Gamay Noir, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 13% ABV, $45 (#1732)

Winery Notes: “Prominent juicy blueberry and cherry flavors shine through supported by hints of red raspberry and a touch of minerality. The texture is smooth yet lively, carrying the fruit gracefully through to a lengthy, polished finish that lingers with fresh red fruit and a delicate savory note.”

My Review: Ruby in color. Cranberry and plum on the nose. Fresh and tasty. A little bit like a cherry jolly rancher, a slight touch of tannin on the finish. Chill a little first and this could be a fun wine. March 2026

2023 Caraccioli Pinot Noir, Escolle Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 13% ABV, $60 (#1733)

image of label for 2023 Pinot Noir

Winery Notes: “Subtle nuances of spice, rose petal and red fruit frame the palate leading to a silky-smooth finish. Elegantly powerful and transparent, the bright red fruit is highlighted while savory notes play in the background.”

My Review: Viscous in the glass and garnet in color. A mellow nose of alcohol balanced by charred broccolini (wait – that was our lunch!). Cranberry and crushed red cherry on the rich palate. Flavorful with a nice mouthfeel. Not your typical SLH pinot, in a good way. March 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

“Our Carmel tasting room blends the small-town charm of Carmel-by-the-sea with a contemporary, sleek and trendy atmosphere. Designed by Si Teller, the space boasts a lustrous Perota bar slab, which offers an ideal place to taste through an ever changing flight of our wines. The dark walls and dynamic lighting accentuate the tasting ambience and create an unforgettable cellar like experience. We offer multiple vintages so our visitors can find the wine that fits their palate best, all the while learning the distinct differences.”

Located on Dolores between Ocean and 7th Streets, Carmel by the Sea. Reservations highly recommended. Learn more and make a reservation here.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

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