Monterey County Wine

 

The Monterey County AVA is part of the Central Coast region in California, below San Francisco. Franciscan friars first planted grapes in the area in the 1800s, though those crops of Mission grapes (a.k.a. the Chilean Pais grape) were left to rot as California came into its own from Mexico. It wasn’t till the 1960s that viticulturalist A.J. Winkler at U.C. Davis published a report classifying Monterey County as one of the most climatically suitable regions to grow quality wine grapes. 
 
Things boomed from there with established vineyards choosing Monterey for expansion as well as new, smaller boutique wineries. The northeastern portion of the region near Monterey Bay is the coolest, with conditions well suited to growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Moving further up the climate gets warmer, suitable for Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel. Most of the growing areas benefit from conditions that allow for a long growing season, with long ripening of the grapes which Read more »

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Popular wines made in Monterey County under $20

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Varietals Produced in Monterey County View all

  • Sauvignon Blanc

    Sauvignon Blanc is widely grown in California -- at over 15,000 acres, it’s now the third most planted variety -- and...

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    “King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...

  • Merlot

    The Occitanian word “merlot” translates to “young blackbird.” An accurate description for this popular, early-budding...

  • Pinot Noir

    “With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Van...

  • Chardonnay

    British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

Subregions of Monterey County

  • Carmel Valley

    The Carmel Valley appellation shares few of the gentle charms of the nearby seaside town of Carme...

  • Chalone

    enjoys one of the finest expressions of terroir anywhere. Distinctive Chardonnay and Pinot Noir ...

  • Santa Lucia Highlands

    The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is a region within the Monterey district of California’s Central ...

Popular Wineries in Monterey County View all

  • Pisoni Vineyards & Winery

    Pisoni Vineyards is nestled in the rolling foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountain range, 25 mil...

  • Heller Estate Vineyard

    Overlooking the Cachagua region of Carmel Valley, ("Cachagua" is believed to be an Indian derivat...

  • Tudor Wines

    In an increasingly mechanized world, there are still a few handcrafted products that stand out...

  • Chalone Vineyard

    Perched in the remote Gavilan Mountain Range, 1,800 feet above California's Salinas Valley, th...

  • Parsonage Village Vineyard

    Bill and Mary Parsons planted their seven acre Parsonage Village Vineyard in 1998. How they arriv...

  • RiverStone Estate Wines

    Situated in the heart of the Yarra Valley on the banks of the Yarra River at Coldstream, RiverSt...

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Monterey County on Snooth

  • High Flyer Pinot Noir Doctor's Vineyard 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Nice nose of red and black raspberry with welcome hints of cinnamon and white pepper spice. Dark cherry notes also and some vanilla. Bigger style on the palate, lush and fruity. Red raspberry, strawberry and good spice flavors. Nicely structured with good balance. Tasty!90 pts.5/8/13 Yountville Tasting Room Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Jekel Vineyards Monterey Merlot 2002

    Snoothrank:

    Ruby red in the glass. Heavy phenolic feel on the nose. Big Kirsch aroma with hints of cocoa nib, red licorice, iron and stone. Full bodied palate. Flavors of kirsch, black cherry skin, plum, some stone and a metallic edge. It's still plenty bold and dry with remaining big tannin and big acid. This would be well suited to food, especially ... Read More

    Wine review by VegasOenophile


  • Mer Soleil Chardonnay Silver Unoaked 2010

    Snoothrank:

    This smells very ripe and tropical with pineapple and mango aromas. This delivers a mouthful of relatively soft if intensely pineapple and mango flavored wine. It's round and easy going with a short finish. 82pts Read More

    Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz


  • Darcie Kent Vineyards Grüner Veltliner Monterey Rava Blackjack Vineyard 2010

    Snoothrank:

    A touch waxy on the nose there's plenty of peachy and mango toned citrus fruit here.A touch soft and round in the mouth, this delivers a nice mineral backed mouthful of lemon pith white peach and green plum flavors that lead to a firm, moderately long finish which shows a touch of mineral cut and a lingering hint of sweet green herb on the fina... Read More

    Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz


  • Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Rosella's Vineyard 2011

    Snoothrank:

    "Combines dense, fresh earth, wild berry, underbrish and mineral notes. Ends with a touch of black licorice and spice." [From "Pinot Noir" blind tasting at Bin 105, Lincoln NE, 13 October 2012.] Read More

    Wine review by nputens


  • Rex Goliath Pinot Grigio Monterey County 2010

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by poconopixie


  • Ventana Vineyards Pinot Gris Arroyo Seco 2010

    Snoothrank:

    Straw gold with a slight pink tinge, this wine is unusual in that it has a small amount of residual sugar (1%?). I'm guessing that the inspiration for this wine came from Germany (Rulander Kabinett). It has a peach, melon and green apple nose but is a bit shy. It needs a bit more acid to be balanced correctly. Falls apart with air, indicating a ... Read More

    Wine review by Zuiko


  • Boete Carmel Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

    Snoothrank:

    No written review

    Wine review by seholey


  • Mirassou Vineyards Pinot Noir California 2011

    Snoothrank:

    Nice. Fruity and full. Read More

    Wine review by ceekaynj


  • Muirwood Chardonnay 2009

    Snoothrank:

    Full bodied...stays on the palate...yet very easy to drink. I enjoyed this wine and...it is affordable! Read More

    Wine review by katzpheno


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