Best places to fall in love: Carmel & Monterey Wine Weekends

By Philip Vonwrede


Camel valley is among the seven appellations that comprise of diverse wine selections in Monterey County and in all these appellations there is no doubt that Monterey wineries are the most distinct. The wineries are strategically nestled in the towering range of Santa Lucia; Carmel Valley defies geographical daytime fogs and zephyrs characterized by summer afternoons that are amazingly sizzling and highly favorable to various red wine varietals including Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Camel valley village is uniquely dotted with cute looking rooms for wine wasting representing the richness of wineries in this area.

My first pick is Ventana Vineyards. Randy Pura owns Ventana vineyards, a winery room in Monterey wineries and J. Douglas Meador produces the wine. The Ventana vineyards different a wide range of wine varieties including Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Gewurztraminer, Meritage, Muscat, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Shiraz/ Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. Tasting wine at Ventana vineyards is usually charged at a fee which is essentially waived with a purchase. There are various amenities you can enjoy here including barrel room, gift shop, scenic views, meeting facilities and others.

Another wine vineyard that is well-known for its Chardonnay is the Talbot vineyards. It was built in the year 1982 wherein the first grapes sprouted on the Diamond T vineyard. Starting then, Carmel valley has seen a steady and prosperous progress of wineries. As a result, it is now ranked one of the best wineries within Montreal County. Varieties of vino has continued to pop up ever since.

Located within Carmel valley wineries, Talbot vineyards are noted to have the one of the unique Chardonnay among all wineries, not just in the area. When the first grapes grew on Diamond T vineyard in 1982, the winery has solidly succeeded to rise to the top, standing alongside the best of the best within Montreal County. Starting then, it continued to produced different type of wines.

The biggest vineyard that you cannot miss is Chateau Julien Wine Estate.

Located right off the Carmel Valley road, you can find a beautiful French Estate that features landscape grounds, visitor areas, patios, terraces and a huge wineyard that is called Chateau Julien Wine Estate. The sort of wines developed there are usually ferment ages wines and Chardonnays. Aside from that, they also have other specialty wines such as cream sherry and port.

Among the wineries in Montreal wineries, Bernardus winery and vineyards have become popular and known because of their Bernardus wine. Aside from Bernardus, they also offer other varieties of wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Visiting Bernardus winery and wineyard also gives you the pleasure of the best comforts such as art shows/displays, restaurant and areas for events that can accommodate as grand as a wedding.




About the Author: