Carmel River Inn | Monterey Hotel |

Monterey Wineries

Warm weather, cooling fogs, and fresh breezes add up to perfect conditions for growing good grapes. 

The Monterey wine industry began some 200 years ago, when Franciscan friars at Mission Soledad planted a crop of wine grapes. Monterey wine, however, was not produced on a commercial level until 1970.  Today those humble Franciscan friar beginnings have grown to more than 45,000 acres of vineyards, most of which are owned by some of the largest wine producers in California. 

Wine tours of the Monterey wine region are available, or you can simply create your own self-guided wine tour. Many of the wineries of Monterey County are spread out over a large area. If you are staying in Carmel, drive southeast of Carmel and take a circular route from Monterey to Soledad and back through Carmel Valley to Carmel. This wine tour will take you to some of the more popular wineries of the Monterey wine country and will allow you to visit Mission Soledad, where it all started. 

There are approximately 60 wineries in Monterey County, and most of these wineries are open to the public for wine tasting and education on the process of winemaking. 

A Monterey wine tasting tour offers something for everyone. There are 400-acre estates where you can taste Monterey wine and enjoy your picnic while viewing the spectacular scenery of Salinas Valley. There are smaller 16-acre wineries with gardens and cobble stoned courtyards. There is even a 700-acre vineyard complete with roses and grazing cattle. 

In addition to the wine tasting, there are annual events, such as the Winemakers Celebration, which showcase gourmet food and Monterey wine. 

The majority of the wine grapes grown in Monterey wine country are Chardonnay. These grapes are even sent to wineries outside the county for processing. There are also many fine wineries in the area that are known for Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Petit Verdot, Zinfandel and Muscat.  

Many of the Monterey wineries offer wine tasting by appointment, so you may want to call prior to your arrival; and, of course, remember to designate a driver for your Monterey wine tour. 

Where you go Head South East of Carmel.

What you do Savor the Monterey County Wine experience.

When to go Anytime, most wine tasting rooms are open all day, but it is worth calling ahead to be sure.

Pictures courtesy of Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau