THE STORY
How did I discover Vincent Vines? I stumbled upon the Carmel Valley Vintners Collective @cvvcwinery on Instagram. At first, I wondered if it was the organization I now know as Carmel Valley Uncorked. Instead, I quickly discovered this small vineyard and winery tucked away up in Cachagua, in the heart of the Carmel Valley American Viticultural Area. I began corresponding with Daniel Doerr and quickly got invited to his recent release party at Woody’s at Del Mesa Carmel. I extended the offer to the American Wine Society Monterey Chapter board members, as we scoped them out for a future event. 9 of us joined the party, enjoying his delicious wines and the setting on Woody’s patio. At the event, we were able to meet Daniel’s family, friends, and other vineyard owners. All the wines were very good. The Rosé of Petite Sirah and the Merlot stole the show. I even joined their club!
Daniel told me that he planted his 257 vines and 2 acres of Merlot in 2016 and that he fashioned his estate wine after Sal Rombi’s Merlot. OK, I’m in! He produced 77 cases this year and plans for 125 cases next year! His first 4 vintages were Merlot only. He began making his wine at neighboring (and closed) Joullian Vineyards and Winery, where he got the grapes for his first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon. He is now making his wine at Tira Nanza, formerly owned by Galante Vineyards, where the grapes for his Petite Sirah came from and where he will source his Cabernet Sauvignon in the future. Well, there’s whole bunch of Carmel Valley vineyard history in a single paragraph!
Woody’s provided food for the event, starting with a large charcuterie platter and, later, with some hot appetizers such as delicious empanadas. We stayed for dinner, enjoying more of their wine by the glass. It was the Merlot for everyone, which paired very nicely with the filet mignon and steak frites.
This is my first post about Vincent Vines in Decanting Monterey.
THE WINERY
From their website:
“Welcome to CVVC, where the art of winemaking is elevated by the unparalleled terroir of Carmel Valley — California’s hidden gem for refined red wines. We consider ourselves artisans, crafting exquisite small-batch wines from our own estate vineyard and iconic neighboring founder vines. Each vintage is a true expression of this wild and inspiring landscape. Our wines are handcrafted through sustainable farming, transparent winemaking, and old-world production techniques.
“The label pays homage to the great impressionist Vincent van Gogh’s iconic Self Portrait with Grey Felt Hat. An abstract wordplay for “wine of a hundred vines”, VINCENT VINES is an ethos where exceptional wines are created from tiny vineyards with big personalities….”
“It all started in 2012 when we decided to move further from the hustle of the Bay Area, back to the “old California” of the Central Coast. We fell in love with everything about Carmel Valley — mountains, small-village vibe, rivers, blue sky, peace & quiet — but the terroir really called to us. There was something different about these wines: more elegant, more balanced, more refined.
“Four years later we hand-planted our first 257 Merlot vines — still hand-tended and sustainably farmed to this day. What started as a garagiste passion became a licensed winery in 2024. Vintage by vintage, our winery story continues to unfold.”
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 4 Vincent Vines wines.Winery notes come from the winery’s website. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the websites of others. Any errors are mine and mine alone.
2025 Vincent Vines Rosé of Petite Sirah, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 15.6% ABV, $30 (#1834)
Winery Notes: “A Rosé with a Red-Wine Soul
“That stunning bold color is eye candy, but don’t let that fool you — this isn’t that white Zin that caused many a college hangover. Made in the classic Provençal method, this rosé drinks like the best of them — bright, crisp and refreshing with pomegranate lift and a silky, saffron-smooth honey-filled finish. It’s easy to stare at, but don’t forget to drink it. Who doesn’t love a great rosé?
“Sourced from Carmel Valley’s original vineyards, these noble founder vines yield crisp flavors with bright acidity, silky texture, and a dry finish. Sustainable farming and minimalist production deliver a remarkable wine made on the vine.”
My Review: Bright red in the glass. Cherry and cranberry on the nose. Hefty and robust. Everyone likes this beautiful wine. October 2026
2024 Vincent Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 12.5% ABV, $55 (#1835)
Winery Notes: “Old School, Vibrant and Relaxed
“In its natural state, Cabernet Sauvignon is known for elegance, restraint and structure. We often find today’s Cabernet Sauvignon to be contrived — over-ripe, overdriven and too fruit-forward. This is our throwback to the way it used to be — vibrant and balanced.
“Sourced from Carmel Valley’s original vineyards, these noble founder vines yield vibrant, complex flavors with medium tannins. Sustainable farming, minimalist production, and extended aging in French oak deliver a remarkable wine made on the vine.”
My Review: Rose petal and soft perfume notes on the nose. The palate was vibrant with brighter red fruit than you might expect for a Cabernet Sauvignon. Enjoyable. October 2026
2024 Vincent Vines Estate Merlot, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 13.3% ABV, $55 (#1836)
Winery Notes: “Plush, Dark-Fruited, Velvety-Smooth
“The wine that started it all. After the movie Sideways made Merlot the punchline, we got stubborn about it — it is arguably the world’s finest grape. While plenty of terrible Merlots came from places that had no business growing it, Carmel Valley was made for Merlot — it thrives here. Taste Merlot in its divine form: ripe black cherry and plum, a whisper of vanilla and tobacco, and a silky, seamless finish.
“Our sustainably farmed estate Merlot vineyard consists of 357 vines [clone 181]. Planted in 2016 on a tightly spaced south-facing slope, it requires hand tending & harvesting. Minimalist production techniques and aging in French oak deliver a remarkable wine made on the vine.”
My Review: Super rich on the palate. The night’s favorite. This was the wine people kept asking for. You would think I would have better notes, considering how many times we sampled it. October 2026
2025 Vincent Vines Petite Sirah, Carmel Valley, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV, $55 (#1837)
Winery Notes: “Deep Purple, Inky and Intense
“Petite Sirah was California’s classic red before Cabernet took over. Intense dark fruit, black pepper and a firm, structured backbone define ours, with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon to add smoothness and balance. Our biggest red in the lineup, bold, full-bodied and deeply colored, it’s made for wine lovers who appreciate the classics.
“Sourced from Carmel Valley’s original vineyards, these noble founder vines yield vibrant, complex flavors with bold tannins. Sustainable farming, minimalist production, and extended aging in French oak deliver a remarkable wine made on the vine.”
My Review: Purple in the glass. Big and robust. Tannic, dry on the finish. October 2026
THE TASTING ROOM
They don’t have a tasting room. You pretty much need to join their club, come to one of their release parties, or stay at their Vineyard Chateau to explore their wines. Contact Daniel at daniel@cvvc.us.
© Decanting Monterey 2026
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