Cool maritime breezes, solar heat, microclimates. . . Carmel Valley and Salinas Valley

Road Trip Wine Tasting

Goin' south on highway one, turn inland at Carmel Valley to reach the Salinas Valley and hwy 101. If you go out hwy 68 to get to hwy 101, stop by Ventana Vineyards.

Stay in luxury at Carmel Valley Ranch, **** resort suites in the Carmel Valley foothills.

Carmel Valley is usually warm. Views are pastoral. The road is winding. Salinas Valley is usually even warmer.

Take Carmel Valley Road to emerge on hwy 101 about 12 miles south of Soledad. Pinnacles National Monument is near-by, northeast out hwy 146. The park contains remnants of an ancient volcanic mountain, including caves and trails. Not to mention that the Chalone Vineyard is also on hwy 146! (Call first 831/678-1717) Bring a picnic! Jekel Vineyards is nearby, too.

Carmel & Salinas Valley Vineyards and Wineries

• Chateau Julien
• Durney Vineyard
• Paraiso Springs Vineyards
• Chalone Vineyard
• Jekel Vineyard
• The Monterey Vineyard
• Morgan Winery
• Lockwood Vineyards
• Smith & Hook Winery
• Cloninger Cellars
• Hahn Estates
• Scheid Vineyards

Chateau Julien Winery
8940 Carmel Valley Road Carmel, CA 93923
Tel. 831/624-2600

Entering Carmel Valley, you can taste wine at Chateau Julien. Guests are welcome for tours and tasting. Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 5pm and Saturday & Sunday 11am to 5pm.

Chalone Vineyard
Stonewall Canyon Road & Hwy 146 Soledad, CA 93960
Tel. 831/678-1717

Must do! Take a picnic. Plan a full day to visit Chalone Vineyard, the County's oldest producing vineyard and the Pinnacles National Monument where ancient volcanos left formations. Taste world renowned wines and tour the facilities from the cave to the tanks. Chalone's family of wines include Chalone Vineyard, Edna Valley, Acacia and Carmenet. Hours: Week ends 11:30 to 4pm. Call to visit during the week.

Jekel Vineyard
40155 Walnut Ave West Greenfield
Tel. 831/674-5525

Estate-owned vineyards produce white varietals. Open daily 10-5 for tours, tasting and sales.

Paraiso Springs Vineyards
38060 Paraiso Springs Road Soledad, CA 93960
Tel. 831/678-0300

The tasting room is located on the vineyard overlooking the Salinas Valley. Estate wines include Gewurtztraminer, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Johannisberg Riesling. Hours: Mon - Fri noon to 4pm. Sat & Sun 11am to 5pm.

The Monterey Vineyard
800 South Alta St. Gonzales, California 93926
Tel. 831/675-4000

A visitor center, art gallery, lakeside wine terrace, and a picnic area just off hwy 101. Wine Tastings: free, library wines small fee. See if you can taste a red wine aged in American oak next to one aged in French oak. Tours daily: 11am, 1pm, 3pm. Open 10am to 5pm.

Look for these fine wines in wine shops
No tasting hours.

Durney Vineyards
Carmel Valley, CA
1-800-625-VINO

Specializing in estate-bottled wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc.

Morgan Winery
Salinas, CA
Tel. 831/484-1533

Seen on Wine Lists the World over. Tasting by appointment only.

Lockwood Vineyards
Salinas, CA
Tel. 831/753-1424

Lockwood Vineyard is nestled in the sheltered hillsides of the Santa Lucia Mountains in Southern Monterey County. Lockwood has crafted hand-made wine from their estate vineyard since 1989.

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