Why I love the Carmel & Monterey Wineries

By Philip Vonwrede


Among the seven appelations that encompass Monterey County, Carmel valley houses Monterey wineries, which is definitely unlike no other.You can find the Monterey wineries amidst the towering landscape of Santa Lucia. With this, Carmel valley is able to survive despite of the daytime fogs and gusts of wind during summer days due to its warm climate, which is remarkablt beneficial to many types of red wines like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Camel valley village is uniquely filled with attractive looking spaces for wine tasting representing the fast progress of wineries in this area.

My first pick is Ventana Vineyards. Randy Pura owns Ventana vineyards, a winery room in Monterey wineries and J. Douglas Meador produces the wine. The Ventana vineyards different a wide range of wine varieties including Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Gewurztraminer, Meritage, Muscat, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Shiraz/ Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. Tasting wine at Ventana vineyards is usually charged at a fee which is essentially waived with a purchase. There are various amenities you can enjoy here including barrel room, gift shop, scenic views, meeting facilities and others.

Another winery in Carmel valley wineries, Talbott vineyards is owned by Robb Talbott and its Chardonnays have made this winery a legendary in its own right. The vineyards were launched in 1982 when the first grapes were planted on the Diamond T vineyard. Since then, the winery has continued to flourish and it today rated among the top wineries in Montreal County. It has continued to release a wide selection of top wine varietals since its inception.

Standing out, Parsonage Village Vineyard is a great

choice. Bill and Mary Parsons co-own the parsonage village vineyard, a winery in Carmel valley and Bill Parsons produces wine at this vineyard. The various wine varieties produced here include the Bordeaux Blend, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Petite Verdot, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc. Its unique location in Carmel valley wineries provides them with the advantage of the best climatological conditions for winery production.

Primarily, Chateau Julien Wine Estate is one of the larger vineyards. Chateau Julien Wine Estate boasts of a myriad of amenities for their guests such as manicured gardens, visitor facilities, covered patios, expansive areas and a vineyard that produces wine right in the 'Chateau'. Within a 6 acre land and a fully equipped barrel room, the wines there are consist of ferment aged wines and Chardonnay barreled longer in the oak. Some other wines that they have are cream sherry and port.

Also one of the winery vineyards in Montreal wineries, Bernardus winery and vineyards offers Bernardus as their main brand of wine. Nevertheless, there are still other signature varietals which include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. If you plan to visit Bernardus winery and vineyards, you should expect to find world class amenities like the art display/ museum, restaurant where you can purchase food and nice places for events such as weddings.




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