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Sip and Savor Carmel Wines Straight from the Source
The varietals & vintners that define the Carmel-by-the-Sea wine experience
You can taste the ocean in the wines from Carmel. It might be disguised in delicate flavors and tantalizing tannins, but the sea's influence is always present, making each glass delightfully complex and compelling.
Greg Ahn — co-owner of Folktale Winery & Vineyards, and Seventh & Dolores Steakhouse — explains this as he walks between rows of fall-tinged vines at Folktale Vineyard. Surrounded by rows of late-season grapes, the conversation meanders back down to the ocean.
"The most dramatic difference that makes unique wines here is the influence of the ocean. Monterey Bay is one of the deepest points on earth, and so the cool climate coming out of that water creates a big maritime influence," says Ahn. "This cool climate is ideal for certain grapes — Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, aromatic whites, Rohne varietals. It's unlike any place else in California or the world because the canyon set right in Monterey Bay causes this very, very dramatic cooling effect every day."
The ocean that makes Carmel such an extraordinary place to grow grapes also makes it an exceptional place to taste wine. Set along the jaw-dropping beauty of the coastline, these local tasting rooms serve up wines that are masterfully crafted to reflect the influence of the coast.
The coastal climate elongates grape ripening times, allowing grapes to gather flavors that translate directly into dramatically delicious wines. Meanwhile the rocky, mineral-rich soil, much of it at one time an ocean floor, imparts full-bodied flavors to the varietals grown in the Carmel region.
A Secret by the Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is certainly not undiscovered as a wine destination. Yet it remains a relative secret in comparison with other high-profile California wine regions.
The accolades for Carmel's wine quality have never been lacking. Wine Enthusiast Magazine recently penned an article entitled Is the Carmel Coast California's Next Pinot Noir Star?
Yet, despite producing a steady supply of world-class wine, Carmel remains a quieter and more approachable experience than numerous other wine destinations. And that is one of the reasons it is such a delightful wine destination to explore.
A Rich History
The wine history of this region of California dates back hundreds of years. The first grapes were planted in two regional missions — one in Jolon called Mission San Antonio de Padua in 1771 and one farther north in Soledad called Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. These grapes were a variety of Vitis Vinifera grapes called Spanish Mission grapes.
The Carmel Valley received its AVA designation in late 1982, pre-dating some of the highest profile wine regions in California such as Los Carneros.
Today, the entire wine-growing region grows an astounding 53 varietals across 349 vineyards — a testament to the area's impressive topography, climate, soils and the dedication of innovative winemakers and vineyard tenders.
Among other things, Carmel Valley has become well known for sustainable grape-growing practices and environmentally sensitive agricultural techniques.
Tasting the Best of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Wherever you are in Carmel-by-the-Sea, you are only steps away from wine tasting. Every wine-tasting room in the village is within convenient walking distance from Carmel's hotels. And the fairytale cottages and whimsical architecture you walk by between wine-tasting stops is noth`ing short of magical. Meanwhile, the stunning Carmel coastline lies just steps from downtown.
Within the walkable village you will find 18 diverse, friendly, intriguing tasting rooms, each delivering unique experiences and local vintages. One of the best ways to explore them is via Carmel's exclusive Wine Walk mobile guide, a free digital guide detailing exclusive and upgraded tasting experiences from Carmel wine tasting rooms.
Here, you'll find pet-friendly tasting rooms, a winery named after a pilot who launched sailplanes off the ridges of Carmel Valley in the 1930s (Albatross Ridge), and a vineyard owner with another life as an American composer who wrote the movie scores for films such as Back to the Future and Forrest Gump (Silvestri Vineyards). And you'll even find some of the quintessential Carmel wine names like Chalone Vineyards and Galante Family Winery. Wherever your wine adventure leads you, you'll want to taste some of the renowned Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays produced throughout the region, while also sipping more adventurous varietals like Chenin Blanc.
Every wine experience in Carmel-by-the-Sea might open up an entirely new world of flavor, but you'll find another tasting experience only steps away in this walkable wine village.
