Tagged: Santa Lucia Highlands AVA

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

Catching Up with Bernardus!

THE STORY

Anticipating a wine pickup, we took our large pup to his first wine tasting at the Bernardus Winery Tasting Room in Carmel Valley Village. He loved the faux grass on the edge of the tasting patio and was a pretty good boy while we tasted a few newer releases. However, my tasting notes were not up to my own standard. Some deserve a re-do on a future visit.

My last post about Bernardus is here: Happy Holidays with a Bernardus Post!

THE WINERY

I’ve written many times about founder Ben Pon’s vision to grow quality Bordeaux blends right here in Carmel Valley.  I am hopeful that Bernardus will not give up on that dream. Their Marinus Bordeaux-style blend has long been our favorite Bernardus wine. I understand the 2025 Marinus will be a field blend from the Marinus Vineyard.  After that?

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 2 Bernardus wines from this single tasting. Winery tasting notes come from their website or tasting sheets, unless otherwise indicated. You can read more about these wines on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites.

2024 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.7% ABV, $28 (#1681)

Winery Notes: “Our 2024 Signature Griva bottling has aromas of lime zest and lemon curd accented by notes of grassy minerality. The palate exhibits full flavors, hints of tropical fruit with meyer lemon, grapefruit, and a rich mouthfeel are supported by refreshing acidity. This year our Griva Sauvignon Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc with no added Semillon. It was so expressive we decided to bottle it pure.”

My Review: Pale golden in the glass.  Sweet pineapple, grassy minerality and butter notes on the fragrant nose.  Full flavor on the palate of Meyer lemon, tart pineapple with grapefruit zest on the finish.  This is one of my favorite 2024 Monterey County sauvignon blancs. October 2025 and March 2026

2023 Bernardus Chardonnay, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 14.7% ABV, $55 (#1728)

Winery Notes: “Our 2023 Soberanes Chardonnay exhibits robust flavors and aromas, highlighted by rich toasted oak and caramel notes.  The palate is intense, with hints of lees and tropical fruits, kept in balance with a delicately crisp finish. Our Soberanes Chardonnay exemplifies the flavor and quality of this special grape growing region.”

My Review: Yellow in the glass. Buttery nose, followed by tasty flavors on the lively palate. Quintissential Monterey SLH chardonnay. March 2026

THE TASTING ROOM

“Experience the Luxury of Bernardus Winery”

“Established in 1994, Bernardus opened the doors to the first-ever tasting room in Carmel Valley. We are located about 15 miles east of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach, and showcase some of the best wines in the region. Join us for a tasting on our patio, at our tasting bar, or in our newly renovated signature Pon room, perfect for private bookings.”

The Bernardus Tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open every day 11-5.

© Decanting Monterey 2026

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

American Wine Society Monterey Chapter Scopes Out Corral’s Fabulous New Outdoor Space!

THE STORY

Deep in the planning for the 2026 calendar of events, the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter’s Scouting Party visited Corral Wine Co. The goal was to check out its fabulous outdoor space for an upcoming summer event. What we got was a fabulous, private tasting which even accommodated our mascot-by-default, Mushu. We enjoyed it so much that we followed up with Larry Bell and are all set for our summer 2026 outdoor event! Thanks, Larry and Marissa!

My last post about Corral Wine Co. was here: Introducing Our East Coast Friends to Corral’s High Quality Wines! I’ve written about them several times – just type “Corral” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

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 for the first time and a revisit of their 2021 Petite Sirah.Winery notes come from their website or the tasting sheet. My notes are amplified by the AWS Monterey Chapter Scouting Party. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ notes.

2024 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, $32 (#1693)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of stone fruits, citrus, wet stone, and hints of gooseberry. On the palate lemon, citrus, peach while finishing with its nice racing acidity and minerality.”

My Review: Extremely pale in the glass. Acidic and minerality on the nose. Creamy peach and melon with pineapple notes on the light palate. November 2025

2023 Corral Chardonnay, Highlands Ranch, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $56        (#1694)

Winery Notes: “Rich tropical fruit aromatics of grilled pineapple, and crème brulee with hints of lifted sweet toasted spice and roasted nuts and toasted marshmallow. Flavors of citrus and myer lemon, sweet baking spices, and lemon custard.”

My Review: Golden in the glass. Caramel on the balanced nose. Delicious palate of crushed pineapple. November 2025

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

Winery Notes: “On the nose dark cherry, cassis and forest floor. On the palate dark berry, hints of leather and sweet baking spicecs. Rich bold mouthfeel with layers of soft tannins lingering through the finish with subtle sweetnees.”

My Review: Cloudy in the glass. Cherry, red currant really smooth with a spicy finish. While a lighter styled, it is quite tasty. November 2025

2022 Corral Pinot Noir,  Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, $56 (#1696)

Winery Notes: “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: True to varietal. Spicy, peppery with riper richer grapes. I prefer this one. November 2025

2023 Corral Zinfandel, Enz Vineyard, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, San Benito County, $56 (#1697)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of blueberries and plum with a slight herbal aroma and hints of lavender leading way into red licorice and allspice with intense flavors of boysenberry, black cherry leading the way for cocoa powder and a nice mineral finish being enhanced by the limestone rich soil.”

My Review: Blueberry, cherry and spice on the nose. A spicy, tongue-coating palate. Really delicious. Medium tannins and a bit acidic. While not as big as other California Zinfandels, this is the best representation of a San Benito Zinfandel I have tasted so far. It would go well with your turkey and cranberries or a leftover turkey sandwich! November 2025

2021 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $56 (#1534)

Winery Notes: “Rich in color with aromas of dark fruit and ripe red fruits lead way to hints of sage, nutmeg and leather. Flavors of blackberries, baking spices, velvety tannins on the finish.”

My Review: Rich, thick, dark purple in color. Crushed black currant with eucalyptus and sage notes on the nose. Huge, rich palate of dark fruit, finishing with lingering intense black currant and saddle leather. This is one delicious wine. We took some home! February/March 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

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

A Taste of Monterey: An AWS Holiday Party to Remember!

THE STORY

In December, the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter held its annual holiday party at A Taste of Monterey in historic Cannery Row, at a time of year when we could enjoy its amazing views of the Monterey Bay. At this sold-out event, 40 members and guests indulged in 5 outstanding Monterey wines, perfectly paired with delicious appetizers. This was a fun and social gathering for our group, while we learned more about Monterey wines from our venue hosts, Jasmine Hernandez and Scott. Thanks, again, Jasmine and Scott, for such a wonderful event!

Group photo of AWS Monterey Chapter

Our chapter board previewed and selected the 5 wines for our tasting, which were sourced in different parts of Monterey County – from the famous Santa Lucia Highlands to the southern San Antonio Valley. The knowledgeable staff guided us through each wine. The favorite wine was the NV Folktale Sparkling Rosé. The most unique was the Russell Joyce Le Blanc, a blend of Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc, from two vineyards in the Arroyo Seco AVA. Another favorite of the evening was the Tondré Grapefield Pinot Noir – a notch above the typical SLH Pinot Noir!

Photo of venue staff, Jasmine and Scott

You can read my last post about A Taste of Monterey here: A Taste of Monterey: More Than Just Its Amazing Views! Read more about them on their website! Interested in joining the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter? Join the national American Wine Society and select Monterey as your chapter!

THE WINES

Today I am presenting the 5wines from this holiday tasting. 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, $45 (#1687)

Photo of Folktale Rose bottle

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: Fine bubbles with balanced acidity. Everyone enjoyed this perfect way to start our event. I have valued this wine since I first tasted it a few years back and it remains one of my top local sparkling wines. December 2025

2024 Russell Joyce Le Blanc, Arroyo Seco AVA $35 (#1688)

Photo of Russell Joyce Le Blanc bottle

Winery Notes: “Discover the exceptional flavors of this fine white wine from Monterey, California. Experience the delightful combination of white peach, watermelon rind, and spring flower aromas. Refresh your palate with notes of salted green apple, grapefruit, and a hint of river rock.” (Monsieur Marcel)

My Review: Sweet, floral nose. Good acidity and lots of minerality with a Meyer lemon , grapefruit zest finish. December 2025

2021 Tondré Grapefield Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, 14.1% ABV, $40 (#1689)

Photo of Tondre Pinot Noir bottle

Winery Notes: “The 2021 vintage Pinot Noir offers a captivating display of luscious red and black cherry fruit, skillfully intermingled with a delightful blend of assorted spices that perfectly embodies the essence of Tondré Grapefield and the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. The palate offers a velvety texture that exudes elegance. It’s acidity is balanced complementing the moderate tannins to perfection.”

My Review: Cherry and forest floor on the nose. A richer than typical Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir palate. I liked this Pinot Noir.  This is the one wine which was recommended by the staff as an exceptional Pinot Noir to showcase for our tasting.  Way to go, Scott. December 2025

2019 Shale Canyon Merlot, Arroyo Seco AVA, $40 (#1690)

Photo of Shale Canyon Merlot bottle

Winery Notes: “Big, full-bodied Merlot with classic Bordeaux attributes. This wine begins with a big bouquet of ripe fruit and violets. The middle is graced with raspberry, pomegranate and cherry. A long finish of cedar and frim tannins. Only 246 cases produced.” (from A Taste of Monterey website)

My Review: This was a smooth, rich, full-flavored Merlot. Packed with plum, raspberry, cranberry and cherry, this wine was smooth and tasty. December 2025

2021 Marin’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, San Antonio Valley AVA, $45 (#1691)

Photo of Marin's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon bottle

Winery Notes: “This Cabernet Sauvignon displays characteristics of black cherry and licorice with supple tannins on the finish. We used 15% new french oak on this wine. Only 6 barrels of this wine were produced.” (Vinoshipper website)

My Review: Coming from the most southern region of Monterey County’s winemaking, this Cabernet Sauvignon reflects the dark, riper fruits from this warmer climate. It is a full-bodied crowd-pleaser, one of the favorites of the event.

THE TASTING ROOM

Photo of sunset view from venue

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-7pm.  Click here for more information on wine tastings and food. 

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Happy Holidays with a Bernardus Post!

THE STORY

While my dog was getting groomed at The Dawg House in Carmel Valley Village, I decided to pop into the Bernardus Winery Tasting Room to do a serious tasting. I got caught up on all the news Bernardus and was able to take my time with each wine.  The biggest news I learned was that long-time tasting room manager Heather Rammel has left Bernardus for Pebble Beach and regional sales manager Jeff Jung now runs the tasting room. 

We have celebrated so many holidays with a fine bottle of Bernardus Marinus or Marinus Signature, so I dedicate this holiday post to them.  I hope you enjoy the holidays with family and friends and a glass of your favorite Monterey County wine!

My last post about Bernardus is here: 2024 Bernardus Marinus Dinner – Nothing Short of Spectacular!

THE WINERY

I’ve written many times about founder Ben Pon’s vision to grow quality Bordeaux blends right here in Monterey County.  With his passing, a few things have shifted, but the consistent factor has been vineyard manager Matt Shea.  There is more on their website to read, but here is a little snippet:

Where Dutch Elegance Meets Monterey Terroir

“Built upon lasting relationships with the region’s most respected growers, Bernardus sources its fruit exclusively from Monterey County vineyards. Throughout the years, Mr. Pon, winemaker Jim McCabe and Vineyard manager Matt Shea have worked tirelessly to cultivate strong relationships with local grape growers who set aside blocks specifically dedicated for Bernardus. Their top-quality fruit is the backbone of Bernardus’ single-vineyard wines, including Griva, Rosella’s, Garys’, Sierra Mar, Soberanes and others. “All of the vineyards we work with have similar farming practices,” Shea says.”

”Bernardus has one estate vineyard — Ingrid’s, located in the western part of Cachagua and planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — managed by Matt Shea, a champion of sustainable practices, reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to ensure vine and soil health. His goal is to produce the best possible fruit while caring for the land on which it grows. All that time and attention to detail mean the best possible fruit.

“”My philosophy for farming comes from my background of spending 13 years in Oregon growing premium Pinot Noir organically, biodynamically and conventionally,” he says. “I have fused all of those types of farming into an approach that is as sustainable as possible and really tailored to this type of vineyard in Monterey County…”’

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 6 Bernardus wines from this single tasting. Winery tasting notes come from their website or tasting sheets, unless otherwise indicated. You can read more about these wines on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a practice, I do not correct typos from winery websites.

2024 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.7% ABV, $28 (#1682)

Winery Notes: “Our 2024 Signature Griva bottling has aromas of lime zest and lemon curd accented by notes of grassy minerality. The palate exhibits full flavors, hints of tropical fruit with meyer lemon, grapefruit, and a rich mouthfeel are supported by refreshing acidity. This year our Griva Sauvignon Blanc is 100% Sauvignon Blanc with no added Semillon. It was so expressive we decided to bottle it pure.”

My Review: Pale golden in the glass.  Sweet pineapple and butter notes on the fragrant nose.  Full flavor on the palate of Meyer lemon, tart pineapple with grapefruit zest on the finish.  This is my favorite 2024 Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc. October 2025

2022 Bernardus Chardonnay, Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $55 (#1683)

Winery Notes: “Our 2022 Rosella’s Chardonnay exhibits beautiful fruit forward aromas highlighted by rich toasted oak and caramel notes.  The palate is intense, exhibiting ripe peach accented by tropical fruits. This wine is wonderfully balanced, it shows the richness and intensity of fruit grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands, while also having a nice long crisp finish to bring all the flavors into focus.”

2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Ingrid’s Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $80 (#1684)

My Review: Pale golden, one shade brown in color.  Mellow pineapple, banana and oak on the nose.  Citrus on the palate with a lime zest twist. October 2025

Winery Notes: “Our 2021 Ingrid’s Vineyard Pinot Noir exudes spicy, dark red fruit aromas. The wine is very intense and beautifully focused. Flavors exhibit essences of black cherry, ripe berries and subtle toasty oak notes. Our 2021 Ingrid’s Pinot Noir is very structured, allowing for several years of ageing or it can be enjoyed in its youth for its bright fruit expression.”

My Review: Dark ruby in the glass.  A yummy nose of cherry, forest floor and deep plum. Wow this is delicious – dark berries, a touch of earth, but so rich, smooth and drinkable right now.  I enjoy this style of Pinot Noir. October 2025

2021 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $70 (#1685)

92 points – Wine Enthusiast: “Baked black cherry, rhubarb, damp spice and dark herb aromas align on the nose of this bottling. There’s an earthy core to the palate, where black cherry, mace and chai flavors make for a spicy sip.” — Matt Kettmann, December 2023

My Review: Transluscent dark ruby in the glass.  Mellow SLH Pinot nose with a lighter palate with cherry and cranberry flavors. October 2025

2019 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey Caounty, 14.2% ABV, $125 (#1474)

My Review: Intense dark garnet in color.  Forest floor, vanilla and dark fruits – cherry, plum, blackberry –  on the nose.  Smooth palate of well-blended varieties not yet showing its full potential.  Right now lacking a bit of the richness that will show with age. If you must consume it now, decant it! Give this one more time to develop in the bottle.  It is going to be a good one.  October 2025.

An Earlier Review: This wine represents the “future” – it is so young and still tight. Pepperoni and black licorice on the nose. Stewed fruit with bright fruit on the back of the palate. Meaty. Needs much more time in the bottle.  It paired well with the lava cake. November 2024

2018 Bernardus Marinus Signature Red Wine, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $125 (#1447)

Winery Notes: “This 2018 vintage of our highly regarded Signature Marinus exhibits a beautiful, deep robe. The aromas are redolent with dark red fruits and dried spices. On the palate we find bright ripe-red fruit flavors and notes of cedar on a long, rich finish, promising a long life to come! A wonderful example from our estate vineyard!”

My Review: Dark garnet in the glass. Delicious jammy cassis, dark berries and oak on the nose.  The palate conveyed all the dark fruits with a tannic finish.  This is a good vintage. October 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

“Experience the Luxury of Bernardus Winery”

“Established in 1994, Bernardus opened the doors to the first-ever tasting room in Carmel Valley. We are located about 15 miles east of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Pebble Beach, and showcase some of the best wines in the region. Join us for a tasting on our patio, at our tasting bar, or in our newly renovated signature Pon room, perfect for private bookings.”

The Bernardus Tasting room, located at 5 West Carmel Valley Road, is open every day:

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Indigené Cellars: “Sip and Savor the Terroir”

Ambitious Paso Robles Weekend Part 3

THE STORY

Still on Day One of our weekend in Paso Robles, I was on a mission to taste Monterey wines at Indigené Cellars.  We had a hard time finding them, as they are located off the alley, unlike most of the downtown wineries facing the central plaza. They are tucked away right next to Jeffry’s Wine Country BBQ, where we had dinner. As a bonus, we got to meet briefly vintner Raymond Smith while we were at the winery. (For more about our Paso weekend, see all my posts here and subscribe for free to see all the upcoming installments!)

I heard about Indigené Cellars some time back and had corresponded with Raymond about finding a way to sample some of his Carmel Valley AVA wines.  I’ve tasted the Ambiente once before, but this was or chance to taste a broader portfolio of his wines.

THE WINERY

About Indigené Cellars from their website:

“Established in 2006, Indigené Cellars has astounded discerning wine lovers for more than a decade. Our small, family-run winery is dedicated to terroir-based winemaking to produce exceptional and noteworthy wines. We at Indigené invite you to experience our humble translation of art, nature, and tradition.”

About Raymond Smith:

“Raymond Smith, founder of Indigené Cellars celebrates the origin of the terroir in every bottle of wine he makes. After years of bottling and tasting both fruit off the vine and wine, Smith has found his niche making wines that, as the land, are in a constant state of evolution and known to wow visitors with every sip.

“Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Smith worked as a ship joiner and grocery clerk, relocating to Paso Robles, CA, a small town on the Central Coast in the late 1980’s. He quickly acclimated himself to the many aspects of the wine business. Shortly thereafter he helped build and eventually owned and operated a small fleet of mobile wine bottling lines, developing great relationships with growers and producers, who shared the intricacies of the wine business.  Smith chose to further challenge himself and work to create excellent growing conditions and ideal cellaring practices, focusing on distinguishing aromas, transcending earth-tone textures, a balanced, fruit-driven palate, and a well-structured tannin to create unique noteworthy varietals and elegant blends.”

THE WINES

Today I’m bringing you the 5 Indigené wines we tasted. The notes are amplified by the “Decanting Monterey Wine Pod North.” 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.

2023 Indigené Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $30 (#1616)

Winery Notes: “Complex and Focused citrus notes brushed with light minerality. Layered tones of almond and quince frame vanilla and asian spice that fade as the medium toast expands.” 

My Review: Honeydew and white peach on the nose. Crisp palate with minerality shining through. Tasty. August 2025

2020 Indigené Ambiente (Tuscan Blend), Paso Robles AVA, 14.1% ABV, $40 (#1617)

Winery Notes: “Smooth aromas of blistered black cherry and cola show on the nose of this bottling. The palate proves to be a pleasantly down-the-middle expression of the grape, offering both cherry and an array of nutmeg and cola spices.”  Gold Medal Best in Class, Central Coast Wine Competition

Wine Enthusiast – 90 points: “Creamy aromas of caramel and black plum pudding make for a rich entry to the nose of this bottling. The palate is thick in mouthfeel, offering baked berry alongside allspice, pepper and more caramel flavors.” — Matt Kettmann, March 2024

My Review: Rose petal and oak on the nose. Thin dark fruit on the palate with tar and tannin. August 2025

2012 Indigené Venado Grande Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles AVA, 14% ABV, $40 (#1618)

Winery Notes: “Features an expressive mix of flavors built around dried currant, dusty, cedary oak, a gravel pit of newly crushed rock and melted black licorice.”

My Review: Fabulous nose. And a big finish. Holding up well – in its prime.  August 2025

2021 Indigené Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County, 14% ABV, $50 (#1619)

Winery Notes: “Deep garnet hue with rich black cherries, cocoa and new leather nose. Cherry and ripe plum notes are wrapped beautifully in lavender, expresso powder and dark chocolate. Medium to full bodied…”

My Review: Smooth and yummy. A fine representation of wine from Cachagua, Carmel Valley. August 2025

2018 Indigené Parenthesis Syrah, Paso Robles AVA, 14.8% ABV, $50 (#1620)

Winery Notes: “Opaque purple and brilliant violet hue. Floral laced notes of black and blue fruits are medium to full Bodied. A wild herb and olive tapenade slant brings restraint to the earthy minerals and long polished tannins.”

My Review: Rather cassis like. I’m a huge Syrah fan and would like to try this wine again. August 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

“Come visit us at our downtown Paso Robles location.”

815 12th St Suite B. (off the alley behind the building), Paso Robles. Open Thursday – Saturday, 1 pm-9pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm.”

Check them out on Instagram here: @indigenecellarsofficial.

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Wrath: Checking Out Some New Releases on a Winter’s Monday!

THE STORY

This past February, I met up with 2 of our departing Monterey Chapter of the American Wine Society board members at the Wrath Tasting Room in Carmel Plaza to seek their advice before they departed the area. Today’s short post is about 2 new releases I tasted that day.

My last post about Wrath was here: Wrath: When the Power Goes Out, Let’s Go Wine Tasting! I’ve written about their wines a few times – just type “Wrath” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

ABOUT WRATH

From the Wrath website:

“The wrath of Juno sent Aeneas wandering the Mediterranean in Vergil’s Aeneid. For the ancient Romans, ira or wrath, was a tool of a god, an unstoppable anger driven by forces greater than man. One can argue that we see such fury in both the might of nature and the passion of art. Wrath appears in the edgy power of Robert Plant’s voice and the raw wail of Eric Clapton’s guitar. It is frozen into Jackson Pollock’s violent splatters of paint. Wrath is in the wall of maritime fog that rolls into the Salinas Valley and the relentless afternoon winds that scream through our grape trellises. Wrath wines represent a nexus of nature and an unbridled passion for winemaking. Welcome to Wrath.”

“Wrath produces site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc from our estate vineyard and respected properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Our production is small, our distribution is limited and our wines reveal attitude, passion, and an inherent respect for what a vineyard can give us.”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 2 Wrath wines from this December mini-tasting. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. You can read more about each wine on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2021 Wrath Rosé Extra Brut, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 12.3% ABV, $65 (#1541)

Winery Notes: “The inaugural vintage of our Brut Rosé, using sustainably grown estate fruit.  Primarily produced with chardonnay and a small amount of pinot noir for color and added flavor.  Bright aromas of pomegranate and watermelon lead to a flavors of Rainier cherry and rosehips with a clean, fresh finish.  With less than 200 cases produced, this is a wine to enjoy knowing that you’ve discovered a rare opportunity to enjoy what few will have.”

My Review: Yeasty apple notes on the nose. Crisp and bubbly with a tart apple, yet slightly sweet pleasant finish. February 2025

2021 Wrath Pommard 4/777 Pinot Noir , Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $39 (#1542)

Winery Notes: “Wrath’s blend of clones 777 and Pommard 4 has always showcased the dark, earthy side of our estate pinot fruit and the 2021 vintage is no exception.  The nose shows off black cherry and forest floor. Whole cluster fermentation (20%) balances acidity and adds to its layered flavors, while a rich, seamless intensity defines the palate with bing cherry, black raspberry and an allspice element; all leading to a long, structured finish.”

My Review: Spice, plum and violets on the nose. Very much Monterey County Pinot Noir on the palate.  Very nice and a great value for the quality. February 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

Wrath has 2 places to taste their wines and we think they are both lovely.  So handy to stop in at Carmel Plaza, but what a treat to drive out River Road to the bucolic setting of their winery – bring your lunch!

Winery Tasting Room: “Located at 35801 Foothill Road (at the junction of River Road) in Soledad, CA, 5 minutes west of Hwy 101.   Open Fri-Mon from 11-5pm, closed Tue-Wed-Thurs.    Direct: 831.678.2992” 

 Carmel Tasting Room: “Located in Carmel Plaza, downtown Carmel at the corner of Ocean Ave. and Mission St., ground floor. Open Fri and Sat from 11-6pm.  Open Sun through Thur from 11-5pm  

831.620.1909”

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Introducing Our East Coast Friends to Corral’s High Quality Wines!

THE STORY

When six couples from our East Coast life joined us here on the Monterey Peninsula, it wasn’t hard to come up with wineries we wanted them to experience. Corral Wine Co. @corralwineco was an easy choice to make. This was the perfect opportunity to expose them to Adrien Valenzuela’s fine winemaking.  In addition, there were 4 new releases to try, which are the centerpiece of today’s post!

Many thanks to owner Larry Bell for his surprise appearance to host our group and share stories about the winery and the wines. (Our friends proclaimed “There’s a cowboy in there!” as we walked into the tasting room.) His humility and honesty about their experiences, successes and challenges to date are refreshing. As their slogan says: they’re not fancy, but they make good wine. And a very special shout out to Marissa for pouring for us and amplifying the wine descriptions along the way – she is the consummate professional! Our friends commented for days about the high quality of the Corral Wine Co. wines.

My last post about Corral Wine Co.  was here: A Rare Chance to Attend a Corral Release Party!  I’ve written about them several times – just type “Corral” in the Decanting Monterey search bar. A couple of updated reviews from that previous posting:

My Chardonnay-loving friend declared the 2022 Corral Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay as the best of the day.  My updated review: “Yellow-gold in the glass. Butter and caramel balanced by a touch of lime on the nose. Quite flavorful and classic. A nice tang on the palate and acidity on the finish saves it from being too buttery from the malolactic fermentation. November 2024 and March 2025”

And, finally, the 2021 Corral Cabernet Sauvignon has come into its own on this third (for me) tasting: “Purple in the glass. Raspberry and plum on the nose, reminiscent of a balsamic vinegar, savory and slightly sweet at the same time. Juicy, balanced palate, like a rich raspberry jam on toasted sourdough. A blue, tannic crunchiness of Concord grape skin, finishing with intensely dark plum and mint.  Very complex and delicious. March 2025”

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 4 Corral Wine Co. new releases from this reunion experience. Winery notes come from their website or the tasting sheet. My notes are amplified by the East Coast Chapter of the Decanting Monterey Wine Pod. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2023 Corral Estate Rose of Pinot Noir, Bell Ranch, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, $36 (#1531)

Winery Notes: “Vibrant aromas of strawberry, peach ring, and red fruit. Leading way into flavors of watermelon, passion fruit, and orange citrus with hints of white peach and mandarin.” Getting the color right remains a challenge – from their previous vintage of a bright deep color to this year’s pale version.

My Review: Very pale and viscous in the glass. Floral nose, followed by a crisp palate highlighted by pink grapefruit tartness. I would drink this in the micro-climate. March 2025

2023 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, Zabala Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 13.4% ABV, $30 (#1532)

Winery Notes: “Aromas of stone fruits, citrus, wet stone, and hints of gooseberry. On the palate lemon, citrus, peach while finishing with its nice racing acidity and minerality.”

My Review: Pale golden in the glass. Grilled pineapple on the nose. Very tasty crisp palate with gooseberry and pineapple flavors. Perhaps the tastiest Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc currently on the market. February and March 2025

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

Winery Notes: “Rich, full flavors of drk cherry, blackberry, bay leaf, clove, spice, and a long finish.”

My Review: Garnet in color. Violet and light cherry on the pleasant nose. Rich cherry jam countered by leather on the hot palate, with lingering menthol on the finish. 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

2021 Corral Petite Sirah, Paso Robles AVA, San Luis Obispo County, 14.5% ABV, $56 (#1534)

Winery Notes: “Dark and rich in color with aromas of dark fruit, and ripe red fruits leading way into hints of sage, nutmeg, spices, and leather. With flavors of blackberries, sweet baking spices finishing with nice velvety tannins and a long flavorful finish.”

My Review: Rich, thick, dark purple in color. Crushed black currant with eucalyptus and sage notes on the nose. Huge, rich palate of dark fruit, finishing with lingering intense black currant and saddle leather. This is one delicious wine. We took some home! February/March 2025

THE TASTING ROOM

VISIT US

*Please note that Corral is moving very shortly (if not already) next door in the stand-alone white house formerly occupied by Albatross Ridge!*

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

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

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Wrath: When the Power Goes Out, Let’s Go Wine Tasting!

THE STORY

Remember our Monterey Peninsula power outage in mid-December? Yeah, that one was not easy to forget. We decided to head to Carmel-By-The-Sea for holiday shopping and ended up at the Wrath Tasting Room in Carmel Plaza to see if there were any new Syrahs being poured.  We tasted 4 new (to us) wines and took some home! There we were hosted once again by Cynthia, whom we had last seen in their Soledad tasting room. 

My last post about Wrath was here: Wrath: A Quiet Afternoon on the Monterey Wine Trail! I’ve written about their wines a few times – just type “Wrath” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.

ABOUT WRATH

From the Wrath website:

“The wrath of Juno sent Aeneas wandering the Mediterranean in Vergil’s Aeneid. For the ancient Romans, ira or wrath, was a tool of a god, an unstoppable anger driven by forces greater than man. One can argue that we see such fury in both the might of nature and the passion of art. Wrath appears in the edgy power of Robert Plant’s voice and the raw wail of Eric Clapton’s guitar. It is frozen into Jackson Pollock’s violent splatters of paint. Wrath is in the wall of maritime fog that rolls into the Salinas Valley and the relentless afternoon winds that scream through our grape trellises. Wrath wines represent a nexus of nature and an unbridled passion for winemaking. Welcome to Wrath.”

“Wrath produces site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc from our estate vineyard and respected properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Our production is small, our distribution is limited and our wines reveal attitude, passion, and an inherent respect for what a vineyard can give us.”

THE WINES

Today I am presenting 4 Wrath wines from this December mini-tasting. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. You can read more about each wine on their website. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.

2021 Wrath Pinot Noir, Cortada Alta, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.2% ABV, $55 (#1511)

Winery Notes: “Wrath’s newest Single Vineyard Pinot Noir offering; Cortada Alta offers a leaner, more European style of Pinot, that showcases structure with youthful tannins that give way to subtle flavors of red and black cherry, a touch of dried herb and a bright juiciness that keeps the wine beautifully balanced.”

“Cortada Alta is the highest planted vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA.  Because of the challenges in dealing with thin, rocky soils and nearly constant exposure to strong cold winds that hit the clusters throughout the year, Swiss/German clones Mariafeld and Wadenswil were selected for this site.  These two clones grow and ripen nicely in their environment and offer a sophisticated, interesting selection not usually found in our growing area.  This bottling is a leaner, more European style of Pinot; it showcases structure with youthful tannins that give way to subtle flavors of red and black cherry, a touch of dried herb and a bright juiciness that keeps the wine beautifully balanced.”

My Review: Stems, plum and barnyard on the nose. The underlying fruit is cloaked in flavors of orange and dark cherry with a tannic finish. There is some underlying fruit hidden inside. December 2024

2021 Wrath Destruction Level, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $39 (#1512)

Winery Notes: “Concentrated and intense, this blend is upfront with mulled dark fruit, soy and earthy undertones. The palate is generous and seamless with mulberry, cola and a long lively finish.”

“In antiquity, the wrath of a victorious army often left cities burnt to the ground.  Thousands of years later, these events show up as dark carbon-filled strata, or destruction levels, in the archaeological record.  The subtle smoky quality that permeates Wrath Destruction Level Rhone Blend is an ode to the smoke-filled smell of victory that greeted the victorious armies of the ancient world.  This red Rhone blend is composed of Syrah and Grenache from colder sites in Monterey County.  Inky and intense, this blend is upfront with mulled dark fruit, soy and earthy undertones. The palate is generous and seamless with mulberry, cola and a long lively finish.”

My Review: Nose finishes with bright raspberry. Grenache dominates on the palate. December 2024

2021 Wrath EX  Syrah, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.5% ABV, $25 (#1513)

Winery Notes: “Full-flavored and savory, this wine has dark berries, black pepper and dried herbs all wrapped with velvet tannins.”

“This wine captures the savory side of our estate-grown, cool-climate syrah clusters. Black peppercorn, rosemary, cola and blueberry aromas show on the nose, while the palate has more of the same along with cracked pepper, ripe olallieberry and dried meaty flavors.  This bottling is a slightly younger, less oaky version of its bigger brother, San Saba Vineyard Syrah.” 90 points – Wine Enthusiast

My Review: Sulfur and smoke on the nose. Smooth palate – would be a good food wine. A decent entry-level Syrah which I would serve for a party or present in a class. December 2024

2019 Wrath Syrah, San Saba Vineyard, Monterey AVA, Monterey County, 14.6% ABV, $39 (#1514)

Wine Enthusiast – 92 points: “Pleasantly funky aromas of toasted nori and iodine mix with cracked pepper and dense berry plum paste on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. The cool-climate cracked pepper flavor is very powerful on the palate, spicing up what mulberry, plum and roasted fig flavors, with charred meat lingering deep into the finish.” Matt Kettmann April 2022

My Review: Dark in the glass. Big bouquet of spice with a touch of barnyard cloaking dark fruit notes. Rich feel on the palate. The dark fruit core is wrapped in cedar and spice. December 2024

THE TASTING ROOM

Wrath has 2 places to taste their wines and we think they are both lovely.  So handy to stop in at Carmel Plaza, but what a treat to drive out River Road to the bucolic setting of their winery – bring your lunch!

Winery Tasting Room: “Located at 35801 Foothill Road (at the junction of River Road) in Soledad, CA, 5 minutes west of Hwy 101.   Open Fri-Mon from 11-5pm, closed Tue-Wed-Thurs.    Direct: 831.678.2992” 

Carmel Tasting Room: “Located in Carmel Plaza, downtown Carmel at the corner of Ocean Ave. and Mission St., ground floor. Open Fri and Sat from 11-6pm.  Open Sun through Thur from 11-5pm”

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

Another Chink in the Legacy of Monterey Wines

(Seeing this on Instagram? Click the link in my profile to read the whole story)

THE STORY

I was eating my lunch at the kitchen table, reading the Carmel Pine Cone, as I typically do.  I opened the January 10th edition to the real estate section and found this ad on page 42:

It’s an ad for a Bernardus Vineyard consisting of “32-acres of vines comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Petite Syrah and Merlot.The wines produced from the vineyard are consistently awarded 90+ scores for their quality and structure that will age.”

I just about fell out of my chair and immediately called out to my husband. This sounded like Bernardus’ Marinus Vineyard – from which their founder Ben Pon fulfilled his dream to make a Bordeaux-style wine right here in Carmel Valley (in Monterey County). I was devastated to read this news, as the Marinus and Marinus Signature blends made from these grapes, are my favorite Bernardus wines.  We have been long-time members of their Marinus club and have enjoyed their Marinus dinners over the past few years – my favorite event of the year.

At the most recent such dinner in 2024, which I wrote about in this post 2024 Bernardus Marinus Dinner – Nothing Short of Spectacular!, we heard for the first time the full, colorful history of the founding of this vineyard and the beginnings of the winery. It is quite a moving story. Knowing this news now and looking back on that dinner, I can see why the telling of those stories was so emotional for the winery staff as well. This must have been a difficult decision to make.

The Bernardus Marinus wines are quality, age-worthy wines.  I fear this marks the end of an era, but perhaps it is simply an expression of the trends in consumption and maybe even climate.  After all, even though we might feel like these wineries are providing us a service and we may be way too attached to wines from certain vineyards, winemaking at the end of the day is a business and wineries must follow the trends and the fruit to achieve their bottom lines.

THE SIGNS WERE THERE

We knew something was up when tons of the 2017 Marinus showed up at Costco for a fraction of their retail price (we bought as much as we could).  In addition, at the Marinus dinner, there was talk about no longer making a separate Marinus Bordeaux-style blend and just making the higher end Signature.  Now I understand why. Bernardus will still make a high-quality reserve Bordeaux-style blend, just not from that vineyard. But from where?  What fruit will match the quality and historical significance of their own estate vineyard?

And, while Bernardus was a key, early player in the Carmel Valley AVA, it is widely known for its “Monterey County” wines available nation-wide and its reputation has been soaring with its high-quality vineyard-designate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands. I have written about all their wines many times. You can find those posts by typing “Bernardus” in the Decanting Monterey search bar.  Those varietals are what Monterey County is more broadly known for.

Bernardus’ Vineyard-designate Trio of Pinot Noirs

I want to say up front in this post that I’m telling you this story off the top of my head – any errors are mine and mine alone – and do let me know if corrections need to be made. 

THINGS THEY BE A-CHANGING

We’ve seen so much change in our Monterey wineries and vineyards.  Often it is because the original owners have aged out or passed away and their heirs don’t want to continue to produce wine.  It’s sad. Because many of these vintners were the founders of winemaking in this region. We have seen Talbott and Hahn labels and winemaking taken over by Gallo Wines.  We saw Galante, which still produces wines, sell its vineyards and winery to newcomer Tira Nanza, who shows great promise.  We saw Joullian close and be put up for sale. The Massa Estate is also for sale – the Durney legacy vineyards of some of the most prized Cabernet Sauvignon fruit in Carmel Valley/Cachagua. Pierce Ranch Vineyards down in San Antonio Valley AVA closed its tasting room in 2023 and decided to focus on selling its fruit. And the Boekenoogen family recently chose to stop wine production, with Santa Lucia Highlands locals McIntyre Vineyards taking over its tasting room and inventory. And Manzoni has kept their vineyard, while selling its tasting room and winemaking to younger players. So much change. Most recently, and last I heard, we’ve seen a merger of newer players Seabold Cellars into San Benito’s Eden Rift.

Monterey County AVA Map from the Monterey Vintners & Growers Association

Maintaining a quality vineyard is a hard job, with the threats of fire and drought around the corner.  In some of our conversations with vineyard owners, they have no interest in bottling their own juice, as it means lots of road time to market their product.  Our Monterey County grapes are much sought after by wineries outside of Monterey County.  Having the Santa Lucia Highlands designation on a bottle means something.  Carmel Valley is less widely known, but remains my favorite AVA within Monterey (oops, I’m not supposed to have favorites).

Carmel Valley AVA Map from the Monterey Vintners & Growers Association

And then there is the overall downturn in wine consumption and climate change, affecting wineries across the globe.  Some vineyards are ripping out grapes or have left their fruit to rot on the vines.  We are at a critical juncture. As one local vintner put it, it’s the “ebb and flow” of the business.

NOW WHAT?

My first reaction about the sale of the Bernardus Marinus Vineyard was pure incredulity.  I kind of took it personally. I did communicate with the winery and I know what a tough decision this was for them. I know they will do their best to continue to produce a high-quality Bourdeaux-style blend to keep their consumers like me happy. I personally hope they can find the fruit from the Carmel Valley AVA, but I might be asking for too much.

Then I started to have crazy thoughts – like how we could pull together a consortium of wine aficionados/investors and vineyard/winemaking experts to purchase this prize property.  It’s fun to think about, but that’s a long stretch. It would be WORK. And I’ve already got a good gig – I’m retired. And as my good friend and Decanting Monterey Wine Pod member says, “The best way to make a small fortune (in winemaking) is to start with a large fortune.”  Nope, I checked…I don’t have one.

So, all I am left with is hope.  Hope that someone who cares about those quality grapevines will buy the vineyard and help preserve Ben Pon’s legacy of making a quality Bordeaux-style blend from Carmel Valley. 

That’s my think piece for today. I’ve gotten over myself. Not a single wine review in today’s post. See, anything is possible.

Heather Rammel and Jim McCabe of Bernardus Wine

Let’s all raise a toast to the Marinus Vineyard and Ben Pon’s legacy!

© Decanting Monterey 2025

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

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