Tagged: @parsonagewinery

Parsonage Loses Parklet and Redesigns Beautiful Interior!

THE STORY

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

Photo reprinted with permission of Parsonage

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

Photo reprinted with permission of Parsonage

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

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

2025 Cheese Pairing

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

THE WINES:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE TASTING ROOM

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

Photo reprinted with permission of Parsonage

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

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Barterra Winery: A Hidden Gem in Half Moon Bay!

Chris Minoletti Opened Just for Us!

THE STORY

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

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

THE WINERY

From the Barterra website:

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

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

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

THE WINES:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THE TASTING ROOM

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

Location: 151 Harvard Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA

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

Check them out on Instagram here: @barterrawinery.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Decanting Monterey Hits the 5 Year Milestone: A Reprise!

Today marks the fifth anniversary of Decanting Monterey, A Central Coast Wine Blog! I really can’t believe what sprang from a pandemic pastime (literally) has persevered and is now an internationally-recognized effort.  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 blog out of passion for our Monterey wines, not for profit, 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!

HUGE THANKS UP FRONT!

I want to express my gratitude to those vintners in year 5 who have comped me wine tastings, given me discounts, and especially those who have donated wine to the cause! I am grateful to Chesebro, Corral Wine Co., I Brand, Parsonage, and Rombi for their generosity this year in donated wines, steep discounts or assistance with group tastings. I am especially thankful for Sal Rombi who has donated pre-release 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 Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society who continue to trust me to organize most of their events. And, of course, the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod who make this all tons of fun!

Fellow AWS Board Members

A BRIEF RECAP OF THE LAST 4 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 quickly became known as the COVID Wine Pod. It was 2 posts per week and, mostly, one wine at a time. Back then, some wineries had just reopened with their COVID procedures and we still weren’t venturing out much. I also established the @decantingmonterey Facebook page.

During Year 2, as we became fully vaccinated and boosted – and double boosted, we were able to get out to more local wineries at a more deliberate pace. And the COVID Wine Pod was renamed the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod! I also moved to a single post per week and presented a single wine class to my old DC wine group. Most of the posts were based on event-driven or winery tastings and fewer individual, cellar-driven posts.  And I started the @decanting_monterey Instagram feed.

During Year 3, I was able to get recognition as an entity with some stature behind it. Our local Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society invited me to join them as a Board Advisor. As a result, I arranged 8 of their monthly events. I 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.

My friends from Corral Wine Co.

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 Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society, and hosted 1 wine dinner. I also presented 5 Monterey wines to an East Coast wine appreciation group.

Wine Pod Visit to Zabala Vineyards

During Year 5, we kept on going, but covered far fewer events due to serious injury (all better now, thanks!):

Wine Blog of the Year!

I have some high-level stats to share with you about Year Five of Decanting Monterey!

  • www.decantingmonterey.com surpassed the 33,000 “views” mark – which more than doubled in a single year!! This statistic is very important to me.  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, 349 total posts, including this one.
  • 183 wines (168 for the first time) were presented on Decanting Monterey in Year 5.
  • 138 red wines were presented, as well as 32 whites, 13 rosés, including a single sparkling wine.
  • Wines from 11 California counties are represented, with over 60% from Monterey.  In addition to the counties depicted on the chart, there were also a few from Madera, Santa Clara, Sonoma, and Yolo counties. 

  • Wines from 7 of the 10 Monterey American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) were covered, with the most from Carmel Valley, followed by the Santa Lucia Highlands and Monterey.
  • Parsonage was the most represented family of wines, followed by Bernardus, I Brand, and Chesebro.
  • In addition, we included 5 wines from Washington State, and one each from Australia, France and Spain.
  • Finally, we covered 2 wine events at LadySomm, and a trip to Amador.

2024 Monterey County Crop Report: Wine in Decline

I’ve written before about the declining wine market as people focus more on their health and drink less. The recent release of the 2024 Monterey County Crop Report highlights this situation quite directly, with a staggering 21% drop in the value of wine grapes in the county. It’s a worrisome trend for our wineries, as Dave Faries mentioned in the Monterey County Weekly article: The plummeting demand for wine has many in the industry worried. But is the situation so dire? 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. I wrote about this in my Amador post here: Is this a permanent shift? Is wine becoming passé? Is anyone making a good de-alcoholized red wine? Here are the telling stats from the crop report:

Screenshot from the 2024 Monterey County Crop Report

  • Grapes went down in ranking from 5th place in 2023, to 8th place in 2024 – behind strawberries, leaf and head lettuces, broccoli, cauliflower, celery and spinach.
  • Acreage of planted grapes declined from 40,200 in 2023 to 39,600 in 2024.
  • Grape crop value decreased from $194,642,000 in 2023 to $152,251,000 in 2024.
Grapes left hanging in Amador Fall 2024

WHAT’S NEXT?

While I have some posts already queued up for Year 6, let me ask my mighty readers:  Where should I visit next?  I have a short list of wineries not yet presented and new or relocated tasting rooms. And I do have a short trip to Paso Robles coming up. Beyond that? 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 6!

And, if you have not signed up for my free, weekly blog email, please do! I judge how well I am doing by how many views, subscribers, and comments I receive. (Go, Instagram!) 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.

So, here we go – Year 6!  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 2025

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

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