We know you have read all about the Carmel Wine Walk by-the-Sea in a previous article (link here) and are just waiting to read about the tasting rooms prior to purchasing your Passport (purchase here) and planning your own personal Carmel Wine Walk.by-the-Sea adventure.
In numerical order off the Carmel Wine Walk.by-the-Sea list we rolled up our sleeves, put our big boy pants on and set about getting the scoop on each of these tasting opportunities to help you choose the ones you may want to visit with your first Passport. We started at the top and here are the first four...
1. Caraccioli Cellars:
Love bubbles? Then this is your stop. With a 2006 and 2007 Brut Cuvée and a 2006 and 2007 2006 Brut Rosé. But if bubbles are not top for you not to worry as they have some lovely Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with all their wines using the world class Santa Lucia Highlands fruit. The lovely McKenzi took great care of us but it is not uncommon for Scott Caraccioli himself to be there to pour your tipple. Caraccioli is family owned and family run and they released their first vintage in 2006 and produce approximately (for now) 3,000 cases.
They take their sparkling seriously and step up the French law where Champagne Houses in France must use only the first 150 of the 180 gallons of juice extracted from each ton. Caraccioli Cellars raises the bar on this regulation further as they only use the first 120 gallons per ton and these sparkling wines are always a méthode champenoise vintage product. Nice ambience for an afternoon or pre dinner sip.
2. Figge Cellars
Hand made wine from Monterey. Peter Figge has a vision. Focus on vineyard designated wines that showcase the vineyard. He started in the vineyards in 1994 in Napa and then in 1995 was in the Barossa Valley. Got his masters in Viticulture and started work as the Senior vineyards manager for Franciscan wine group for the Central Coast (1997-2004). Went out on his own in 2004 doing vineyard management and consulting and shortly thereafter started Figge Cellars making his own wine. In 2005 setup for crush and that was the first vintage. With two Chardonnays, two Pinot Noir's and a Syrah. All the fruit is either managed or consulted on by Peter and he is passionate about the health and quality of these vineyards. So much so that he proudly Labels his wine based on the Vineyards the grapes come from. Figge Cellars tasting studio is nestled in the Winfield an art gallery which allows for a unique experience to get some class in your glass and in you soul at the same time. Stop on by and share in Peters passion.
3. Galante Vineyards
Head on over to Galante Vineyards tasting room and Western Emporium to taste their Carmel Valley Estate wines. They just recently celebrated their 10th Anniversary in Carmel's first "Wine Tasting Room." Galante produces and is best known for some of the regions best Bordeaux's. They also have some excellent whites with the latest called Wagon Wheel White being highly rated. A cosy western style space that is full of cowboy western wine items to decorate your house with. Jack Galante's Great Grandfather J. F. Devendorf was the founder of Carmel about 1900.
Growing grapes on the Carmel Valley property since 1993 Jack built his winery in 1994 and started making premium Estate wine. Jack is often there at the tasting room to chat with guests and has a lot of stories of Carmel. They use a unique device to pour their wine with. Its a Centellino. This gives a gentle aeration to the wine and helps open it up in the glass for the utmost in expression. With a couple lovely whites and some of the best big reds around the Galante tasting room is a great place for the passe to gather for a sip.
4. Vino Napoli
The largest tasting room at over 3,000 sq ft and Italian influence all over, this is one cool place to taste. They feature three different wines for Wine Walk Passport holders. Ava walked us through their wines and we started with the 100% Chardonnay and the PÈPE “Vesuvio” which is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot & Syrah and with about 500 cases produced each year. Last but not least is a Erupzione which is a blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Malbec. The young Erupzione wine was put in 225 liter French oak barrels for a period of 18 months which aids in this wine drinking somewhat like a baby Brunello.
At Vino Napoli there is also a bar menu that has a good selection of nibbles to choose from. From a cheese plate to a great Caprese to 10" pizzas you can get that late afternoon hunger taken care of and with a double sided fireplace and many tables of different size this is a great place for a small group of 1-4 couples.
You really cant go wrong with any of these tasting spots but hopefully the information you read will help make the decision on which one may suit your wants and desires at this time.
Stayed connected for the next 8 visits by signing up for email updates.
In numerical order off the Carmel Wine Walk.by-the-Sea list we rolled up our sleeves, put our big boy pants on and set about getting the scoop on each of these tasting opportunities to help you choose the ones you may want to visit with your first Passport. We started at the top and here are the first four...
1. Caraccioli Cellars:
Love bubbles? Then this is your stop. With a 2006 and 2007 Brut Cuvée and a 2006 and 2007 2006 Brut Rosé. But if bubbles are not top for you not to worry as they have some lovely Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with all their wines using the world class Santa Lucia Highlands fruit. The lovely McKenzi took great care of us but it is not uncommon for Scott Caraccioli himself to be there to pour your tipple. Caraccioli is family owned and family run and they released their first vintage in 2006 and produce approximately (for now) 3,000 cases.They take their sparkling seriously and step up the French law where Champagne Houses in France must use only the first 150 of the 180 gallons of juice extracted from each ton. Caraccioli Cellars raises the bar on this regulation further as they only use the first 120 gallons per ton and these sparkling wines are always a méthode champenoise vintage product. Nice ambience for an afternoon or pre dinner sip.
2. Figge CellarsHand made wine from Monterey. Peter Figge has a vision. Focus on vineyard designated wines that showcase the vineyard. He started in the vineyards in 1994 in Napa and then in 1995 was in the Barossa Valley. Got his masters in Viticulture and started work as the Senior vineyards manager for Franciscan wine group for the Central Coast (1997-2004). Went out on his own in 2004 doing vineyard management and consulting and shortly thereafter started Figge Cellars making his own wine. In 2005 setup for crush and that was the first vintage. With two Chardonnays, two Pinot Noir's and a Syrah. All the fruit is either managed or consulted on by Peter and he is passionate about the health and quality of these vineyards. So much so that he proudly Labels his wine based on the Vineyards the grapes come from. Figge Cellars tasting studio is nestled in the Winfield an art gallery which allows for a unique experience to get some class in your glass and in you soul at the same time. Stop on by and share in Peters passion.
3. Galante Vineyards
Head on over to Galante Vineyards tasting room and Western Emporium to taste their Carmel Valley Estate wines. They just recently celebrated their 10th Anniversary in Carmel's first "Wine Tasting Room." Galante produces and is best known for some of the regions best Bordeaux's. They also have some excellent whites with the latest called Wagon Wheel White being highly rated. A cosy western style space that is full of cowboy western wine items to decorate your house with. Jack Galante's Great Grandfather J. F. Devendorf was the founder of Carmel about 1900.Growing grapes on the Carmel Valley property since 1993 Jack built his winery in 1994 and started making premium Estate wine. Jack is often there at the tasting room to chat with guests and has a lot of stories of Carmel. They use a unique device to pour their wine with. Its a Centellino. This gives a gentle aeration to the wine and helps open it up in the glass for the utmost in expression. With a couple lovely whites and some of the best big reds around the Galante tasting room is a great place for the passe to gather for a sip.
4. Vino NapoliThe largest tasting room at over 3,000 sq ft and Italian influence all over, this is one cool place to taste. They feature three different wines for Wine Walk Passport holders. Ava walked us through their wines and we started with the 100% Chardonnay and the PÈPE “Vesuvio” which is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot & Syrah and with about 500 cases produced each year. Last but not least is a Erupzione which is a blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Malbec. The young Erupzione wine was put in 225 liter French oak barrels for a period of 18 months which aids in this wine drinking somewhat like a baby Brunello.
At Vino Napoli there is also a bar menu that has a good selection of nibbles to choose from. From a cheese plate to a great Caprese to 10" pizzas you can get that late afternoon hunger taken care of and with a double sided fireplace and many tables of different size this is a great place for a small group of 1-4 couples.
You really cant go wrong with any of these tasting spots but hopefully the information you read will help make the decision on which one may suit your wants and desires at this time.
Stayed connected for the next 8 visits by signing up for email updates.
Happy Wine Adventures,
Cheers,
WineWalkabout
Kiwi & Koala
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