Winery Descriptions
Monterey Bay Wineries
Below is a comprehensive list of the wineries that we visit most frequently on our tours. We have categorized them by region to help you get an idea of your options in terms of which wineries are best suited to be selected and visited on your tour based on the area that you have chosen to explore. Feel free to call us if you have any questions about any of the wineries listed below. We have included a brief description and their daily tasting fees for your reference. Finally, several of these vineyards may only be visited with the Monterey Bay Experience; let us know if you would like to learn more about how you can arrange one of these exclusive visits for your group.
Between Santa Lucia and Carmel
(easily combined with tours focusing on either region)
Boekenoogen Vineyard and Winery
Boekenoogen Vineyard was established in 1997 when John Boekenoogen realized his property’s true potential. He took his cattle ranch, that had been in the family for five generations, and transformed it into a vineyard which produces exceptionally high quality wine grapes. Vineyard tours in the Santa Lucia Highlands provide spectacular views of the Salinas Valley.
De Tierra Vineyards is located deep in Corral de Tierra, at the foot of Mount Toro between
the Santa Lucia Highlands and the Carmel Valley in Monterey County. They grow Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Merlot on this property free of use of chemical pesticides.
Wines from the Ventana Vineyard have earned more medals and awards than any other single vineyard in America. Ventana Vineyard has the perfect combination of water, soil, climate, art and science to create superb, world-class wines. They apply a mix of old world wine making procedures and new proven techniques, adjusting to the artistic perception that they have for each wine, while still allowing the varietal to achieve its fullest expression.
Santa Lucia Highlands
With their prime location in the Santa Lucia Highlands overlooking the Salinas Valley, these ranches-turned-vineyards present ideal growing conditions for growing premium varietal fruit. The wines of Hahn Estates are created with a philosophy that all great wines are special – akin to the region they were grown in. The Hahn wines celebrate everything that is Monterey – unique in thought, style and setting.
A true family operation, Paraiso Vineyards is located on the southern tip of the Santa Lucia Highlands Appellation, providing spectacular views of the Salinas Valley and exquisite wines. A must for those who appreciate white wine.
As Steve Pessagno says, “We are truly in the midst of what has become one of the world’s premiere wine-growing regions. This is the perfect place to continue handcrafting our vineyard–designated wines and do our part to promote the local food, wine lifestyle and regional charm.” Pessagno Winery fulfills a twenty-year dream of winemaker Stephen Pessagno to produce limited quantities of exclusive luxury wines from prestigious single vineyards throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties.
Wrath produces site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc from their estate vineyard and respected properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Their production is small, their distribution is limited and their wines reveal attitude, passion, and an inherent respect for what a vineyard provide.
Carmel Valley
Boete Winery
Nestled on the eastern edge of Carmel Valley sits the Saunders Vineyard, a boutique winery producing Estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes under the label “Boëté.
Château Julien Wine Estate is located on 16 acres at the foot of the majestic Carmel Valley mountains. The winery boasts breathtaking vistas of the lush green valley. Virtually all Chateau Julien wines are produced from grapes grown in the Wine Estate’s local region of Monterey County. Winemaker Bill Anderson recently expanded beyond the Wine Estate’s own vineyard to explore quality, diversity and unique varietal characteristics through additional vineyard partnerships within the Monterey County appelation.
The Georis Winery was established in 1981. They are committed to producing well crafted “Estate” Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon wines of superior quality. The vineyard is located in the mountains of upper Carmel Valley in California, 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The Georis Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are unique wines that reflects not only a philosophy of wine making but also the character of their vineyards in Carmel Valley.
Heller Estate Organic Vineyards
“Heller Estate wines are produced from Certified Organically Grown Grapes from our Carmel Valley Wine Estate, grown without pesticides or herbicides.” The modern, efficient winery produces award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and other wines of world-class recognition, aged in French oak barrels.
Bill and Mary Parsons planted their seven acre Parsonage Village Vineyard in 1998. Located in Carmel Valley, California, the seven-acre Parsonage Village Estate Vineyard and Winery sits on a hillside bench some 500 feet above the Carmel River. The vineyard is planted to Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
Talbott Vineyards was founded in 1982, when Robb Talbott personally planted his original Diamond T Vineyard on a cold, windswept mountaintop in Monterey County. Today, Talbott Vineyards remains a family-operated, estate winery, dedicated to producing world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir using grapes from one of the Central Coast’s most storied estate programs.