Any good Monterey wineries open for walk-in tastings

We’re doing a driving trip up the 101 from LA, and our first overnight stop is Monterey. We have no idea the timing of our arrival, but will have some time the next day before moving on to San Francisco. Any good wineries or tasting rooms open without appointment along the 101 through Monterey, Carmel or towards SF? How about in SF proper?

Thanks

https://www.bigbasinvineyards.com/visit-us

Big Basin has a tasting room in Saratoga, which would be on your drive. Superb wines, much loved here on WB.

Ridge and Thomas Fogarty are great, but a significant detour up into the SCM (much bigger detour for Ridge than TF).

Bonny doon is in Davenport which is up PCH from Monterey/Santa Cruz, very pretty drive and fun tasting room.

Windy oaks in Carmel. They are a berserkerday supporter and make solid Pinot.

Ian Brand has a tasting room in Carmel Village.

Plus the Carmel Valley has several wineries (Bernardus, etc.) and is a nice little detour that won’t take you too far out of your way.

2nd Windy Oaks tasting room in Carmel. And if you will be there on a Friday afternoon, they include some fantastic cheese pairings from The Cheese Shop (in Carmel).

3rd Windy Oaks and add Morgan and Talbot (even though owned by Gallo now.)

Galante is worth seeking out.

Concur on Windy Oaks, but it can be difficult to find. It doesn’t have a street address. You have to no out to the plaza it’s in and then walk in.

Le P’tit Paysan is also worth seeking out.

Also in Carmel is Albatross Ridge, who makes Pinots grown around Monterey Bay and Carmel.

In Monterey itself, on the east end of Cannery Row is Pierce Ranch, which makes an interesting selection of wines, including Portuguese and Spanish varieties.

Check out the wineries on River Road…between Salinas and Monterey

agree with Bonny Doon. right on the highway. Nice variety of wines

Gallo owns Talbott?

Just the brand name, or the entire operation?

My understanding was that Talbott owned the Sleepy Hollow vineyard.

Is that why Arcadian can’t source Sleepy Hollow fruit anymore?

Thanks for the suggestions. We leave in the morning so we will play it by ear. Big Basis is the most interesting, but we will discuss the others!

Galante and Dawn’s Dream in Carmel.

Wrath, Paraiso and Hahn are off the 101 in SLH area. Morgan, Talbott, Bernardus all closer to Monterey.

They bought everything but the Diamond T vineyard that they will lease. I don’t know if they will continue to sell grapes. See E&J Gallo buys Talbott Vineyards in Monterey County

Bruce,

Just to be clear, Big Basin is in Saratoga, which is about 90 minutes from Monterey. Their last several vintages have been especially good, fwiw.

We’re open in the village (about 20 minutes up the valley from Carmel) from 12-6 Wed-Sun. There are a couple of wines available for tasting that haven’t been seen much in the Berserker community and, I think, are pretty interesting, including our Enz Vineyard old vine Mourvedre and Bayly Cab Franc.

In Carmel, don’t forget about Caraccioli. They really do make the best grower fizz in the states. Hands down. Really nice rose that includes some vin clair as well. Windy Oaks and Albatross Ridge (one of the most interesting estate vineyards on the coast) are also great suggestions in Carmel, as is Pierce in Monterey. Pierce often hosts bands on Friday nights, so they might be open later.

Enjoy the trip. It’s a beautiful time on the Coast. If you do stop in Saratoga, check out Ser and Michaud.

Ian

I like Pisoni, Wrath, Odanata, Puma Road in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

Ridge, Big Basin, and Thomas Fogarty are fantastic in the Santa Cruz area. The views from Fogarty are stunning.

Second on Ian Brand’s wines. Also you might check to see if Odonata Winery is open. They have a tasting room at their new facility on River Rd.

Also agree with Ian. Monterey is not Saratoga or Santa Cruz :slight_smile: