Monterey has several wineries and a couple of dozen Vineyards to tour and these only will guarantee a nice stay in California.
Whether you want to visit only one or all of them, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.
Wine is the most popular drink of choice in Monterey county. For visitors and locals alike, wine tasting and vineyard tours are available throughout the region.
But what are the best wineries and vineyards in Monterey? Are they really worth the journey and the time spent there?
You don’t have to fly all the way to Europe to get that “Authentic” experience with your family or friends. All these wineries in Monterey provide an experience like no other.
This is what you’ll discover here below. We will elaborate on everything you need to know before your journey from the best wineries to the most sophisticated wine to the hotels to relax after a wine tasting session.
Best Time To Visit Monterey
With so many wine-related activities in Monterey, when is a good time to visit this amazing part of California?
Keeping in mind that the Monterey Wine is in June, we would highly recommend staying in town during that period. However, if you’re not planning a vacation in June or want to see fewer crowds, coming earlier during the year is also a great idea.
According to the US Travel News, the best time to travel to Monterey is in April and May. You’ll get to enjoy more pleasant temperatures, food festivals all around, and fewer tourists.
All in all, there is always something nice to do in Monterey and the temperatures are pleasant all year round which will make your preparations easier.
How Many Days Do You Need In Monterey?
With many activities in Monterey such as visiting the aquarium, the incredible wineries, and the beautiful beaches, the number of days spent here depends on what you like to do.
As a whole, we recommend staying at least 3 nights in Monterey to have enough time to visit the city, go whale watching, and visit the best wineries and vineyards among all the activities.
If you are heading north up the coast, Monterey should be next on your list after Big Sur.
What Wine Is Monterey Known For?
The climate is extremely important when growing wine and this is where Monterey has a clear advantage over other places.
Monterey has an elevation of -4 meters above sea level and temperatures are mild and don’t get too hot nor cold.
From August to October, the average high temperature is 20°C and the cold average is 12°C. On the other hand, from December to March, the average high temperature is just under 16°C while the cold is around 7°C.
The rain may fall all year long, but most often during winter months as summers have significantly less rainfall than winters do.
The climate of Monterey County, with its cooling air from the bay and cooler soil temperatures than in other parts of California, makes it easier to grow higher-quality grapes.
According to Sommerliers Choice Awards, Loam Soil is the best to grow grapes, especially Pinot Noir. And Monterey County has a large percentage of it which is the reason why wine here is one of the best in America.
Monterey is most known for the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines and these are really the specialty in town that you just can’t travel without tasting.
Best Wineries In Monterey
Whether your trip to Monterey involves a romantic dinner at a restaurant or a relaxing moment with your family, these wineries offer wine-tasting events that you should experience at least once in your lifetime.
Some of Monterey’s more notable vineyards and wineries include:
A Taste of Monterey – Wine Market & Bistro
- Location: 700 Cannery Row (2nd floor) Ste. KK Monterey CA 93940
- Tasting Room Hours: Sunday-Thursday 12pm-6pm; Friday-Satuday 12pm-7pm (Closed: Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)
- Tasting Fee: $15 per person
- Reserve Tasting: $20 per person
- Contact Number: (831) 646-5446
- Website: https://www.atasteofmonterey.com/
Visiting this winery is one of the perfect ways to get your dose of California tasting while in Monterey. The atmosphere here is breathtaking, you will feel as though you’ve been transported to Tuscany without leaving the States.
They offer an assortment of different flights and their most popular ones are the light and refreshing Sea Otter Rosé and spicy yet chocolaty Cru Library Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Most known for:
- Sublime views on the ocean
- Intimate dinner place for couples
- Affordable wine tasting sessions and knowledgeable staff
Bargetto Winery of Cannery Row
- Location: 700-G Cannery Row Monterey, CA 93940
- Tasting Room Hours:11:00am – 6:00pm
- Tasting Fee: $15 per person
- Reserve Tasting: $20 per person
- Contact Number: (831) 373-4053
- Website: https://bargetto.com/
Bargetto Winery is a staple in historic Monterey and has been producing hand-crafted wines since 1933.
They invite you to their tasting room where they serve award-winning Pinot Grigio, Merlot, and Chardonnay wine. Their estate-grown grapes are perfect for sipping or savoring with friends and family at any time of day.
In addition, you’ll also find unique Chaucer’s fruit wines like apricots, strawberries, and raspberry as well as Honey Mead.
Most known for:
- Sublime red and white wine bottles
- An incredible spot to enjoy Monterey Bay
- Impressive advantages linked to their member club
Pierce Ranch Vineyards
- Location: 499 Wave St, Monterey, CA 93940
- Tasting Room Hours: Tues-Thurs 4-8 pm, Fri 3-9 pm, Sat 1-9 pm, Sun 12-6 pm
- Contact Number: (831) 372-8900
- Website: https://www.piercevineyards.com/
Pierce Ranch is one of the best wineries in Monterey for those who love old-world wines.
You can take your palate on a trip to Europe without leaving California and enjoy some Tempranillo and Albarino from small-lot production here.
Their wine is produced based on Portuguese and Spanish varieties and evokes the flavors of ripe raspberry with hints of lavender.
Visit their tasting room to explore other wonderful wines they have available including Cabernet, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon from California’s beautiful Central Coast region.
Apart from that, excellent customer service, beautifully decorated and authentic tasting room, and the outdoor setting for the summer are what describe Pierce Ranch the best.
Most known for:
- A comfortable and authentic wine tasting room
- Regular events such as musical performances
- Affordable tasting sessions, cheaper than any other winery – only $5 per person
Comanche Cellars
- Location: 412 Alvarado Street, Monterey
- Tasting Room Hours: Tues-Thurs 4-8 pm, Fri 3-9 pm, Sat 1-9 pm, Sun 12-6 pm
- Tasting Price: $20
- Contact Number: 831-747-2244
- Website: https://www.comanchecellars.com/
Comanche Cellars is a small but mighty winery that specializes in honest wines made on California’s Monterey Peninsula.
Their absolute best bottles are the 2017 and 2018 Merlot as well as their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir which certainly stand out from all the wines you’ve had before.
Also, their membership is free but still provides lots of incredible advantages such as:
- Pick up at the wine tasting room as well as a low-cost shipping
- Complimentary wine tasting for members and their guests
- Discounts all year on both wine and merchandise
- Parties and social events
Come try one (or several) for yourself – they offer flights as well as individual tastings and even waive tasting fees if you buy two bottles or more!
Most known for:
- The Merlot they serve is one of the best in Monterey
- Great deals on their bottle – Get one for as low as $15
- The tasting room is dog-friendly which is a great addition for owners
Folktale Winery & Vineyards
- Location: 8940 Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA
- Contact Number: (831) 293-7500
- Website: https://www.folktalewinery.com/
At the Folktale Winery and Vineyards, the winemakers have created an experience for visitors that is definitely more than just wine tasting.
While they’re not exactly located in Monterey, you’ll reach that little piece of paradise in less than 20 minutes by car.
You can catch the ocean breeze from a few miles away, enjoy live music by local bands every weekend on their outdoor stage, and even do yoga in the vineyards.
Of course, the advantage of being more in the countryside is to enjoy the greenery around. Take a tour of one of Monterey County’s best wineries with chef-prepared small plates available to try.
The wines they offer include sparkling brut and rosé. You can try the Grenache or Chardonnay too. Channel your inner connoisseur at these tastings for just $20 per person.
Their Wine Garden Restaurant serves exquisite food that you can have after a wine tasting session of their most sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, Syrah, and Arroyo Seco.
Most known for:
- Special events such as bands playing live
- Beautiful decor to enjoy the weather in the summer
- Delicious restaurant serving pizza, Mexican food, and more
- The greenery around the vineyards is some of the most unique around Monterey
These were the best wineries in Monterey, one of the most appropriate places in the world to enjoy top-class wine. Whether you’re coming with your family or your other half, there is definitely something to please you.
Hahn Family Wines
- Location: 37700 Foothill Road Soledad, CA 93960
- Hahn Estate Tasting Room Hours: THUR, FRI, SAT, SUN, MON 11AM — 5PM
- Carmel Tasting Room Hours: Daily 12PM — 6PM
- Website: https://www.hahnwines.com/
If you researched the best wineries and vineyards in Monterey, you probably heard about Hahn Family Wines and you’re certainly excited to try their organic Pinot Gris.
For the most part, it will not disappoint. Their wine’s aroma is light but balanced, with good perfume-y notes upfront and a bit of earthiness on the finish.
The wines you can’t miss when visiting Hahn Family Wines are the following:
- 2019 Pinot Noir
- 2017 Hahn SLH Gabrielle
- 2019 Hahn SLH Pinot Gris
To enjoy their best ones, you’ll be able to have a wine tasting session daily from Thursday to Monday and from 11 AM to 5 PM.
What’s special about Hahn Family Wines is the fact that they have different wine tasting as below:
- Regular Hahn Estate Tasting – $20 per person – 45 minutes per person
- Hahn Artisan Tasting – $35 per person – 1 hour
- Hahn Estate Library Pinot Tasting – $45 per person – 1.5 hour
- Virtual Tasting – Complimentary and available for club members
Apart from that, they also offer a very unique ATV tour of their vineyards and that is something that is very characteristic of this winery.
For $45 per person, you’ll jump on an educational tour for 1.5 hours up to their wine cellar to discover the winemaking process.
Overall, this is one of the best wineries in Monterey county that you could experience.
Also Read: 12 Best Organic Wine Brands
De Tierra Vineyards
- Location: Mission St &, 5th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921
- Tasting Room Hours: Mon – Thurs: 1PM – 6PM, Fri – Sun: 1PM – 7PM
- Contact Number: (831)622-9704
- Website: https://www.detierra.com/
De Tierra Vineyards is another one of the vineyards you can’t miss on your Monterey County trip.
With excellent award-winning wine, extremely pleasant tasting sessions, and their calendar full of events such as Trivia nights and live music shows, you won’t be disappointed.
De Tierra Vineyards’ mission is to keep on creating superior Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and more types of wine. The bottles you can’t miss are the following:
- 2017 Russell Vineyard Riesling
- 2016 Monterey Pinot Noir
- 2016 Monterey Syrah – Voted best of Monterey County
Their wine tasting room is open every day from 1 PM to 6 PM and to 7 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
You’ll have the chance to taste all their delicious wines starting from their Pinot Noir to their Merlot and their award-winning Syrah.
They have a wine club free of membership fees but that will offer lots of advantages. From receiving 20% off on their bottles to 4 complimentary tasting sessions per month, this is certainly something to consider if you’re planning to come again.
To give you an idea, joining purchasing 3 bottles will cost you $90 per shipment, their 4-bottle bundle will set you back $100 per shipment, and their full case of wines $400.
Conclusion
Monterey has a rich wine history and culture. Home to over 150 wineries, the town offers the perfect blend of climate for grape varietals like Riesling or Pinot Noir grapes – cool enough that you’ll never confuse it with Napa.
Monterey County produces some of California’s most delicious and uniquely flavored wines. The scenery itself is enough to make it a must-see destination, especially for ocean lovers who want to get away from the city lights sometimes.
Wine lovers flock here because Monterey has a “unique microclimate” that infuses its grapes with flavor as no other region can provide.
In conclusion, If you’re planning a trip in which you’ll need to squeeze in some whale watching and wine tasting, then your job is done.