Central California

Carmel Valley & the Monterey Peninsula

A curated guide to coastal tasting rooms & valley estates

40 featured wineries · 11-page PDF guide

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Sea air, sunny valley

The Monterey Peninsula combines cypress-lined coastline, the village charm of Carmel-by-the-Sea and the historic waterfront of Monterey. Just inland, Carmel Valley trades fog for sunshine, and its walkable village is lined with tasting rooms.

Sheltered from the coldest ocean air, Carmel Valley's higher vineyards ripen Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, while cooler sites nearby suit Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea add easy strolling between pours.

At a glance

Signature wines: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in Carmel Valley; Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from cooler Monterey sites
Getting there: Highway 1 to Monterey and Carmel; Carmel Valley Road inland. Monterey Regional Airport serves the area
When to go: Late summer and autumn often bring the sunniest coastal weather
Plan ahead: Village tasting rooms welcome walk-ins; book ahead for estates and dinner

The 40 featured wineries

A Taste of MontereyCarmel Valley
Albatross RidgeMarina
Albatross RidgeCarmel
Albatross Ridge WineryMonterey
Bargetto WineryMonterey
BernardusCarmel Valley
Big Sur VineyardsCarmel Valley
BoekenoogenCarmel Valley
Caraccioli CellarsCarmel
Carmelo VineyardsCarmel Valley
Chalone VineyardCarmel
Chesebro WinesCarmel Valley
Comanche CellarsMarina
Comanche CellarsMonterey
Corral Wine Co.Carmel Valley
Cowgirl WineryCarmel Valley
Dawns DreamCarmel by the Sea
De Tierra VineyardCarmel
Domaine MessierCarmel
FolktaleCarmel
Holman RanchCarmel Valley
I Brand and FamilyCarmel Valley
Joullian VineyardsCarmel Valley
Joyce VineyardsCarmel Valley
Lepe CellarsCarmel Valley
Lepe CellarsMarina
Mid Life Crisis WinesCarmel Valley
Parsonage CellarsCarmel Valley
Parsonage WineryCarmel Valley
Pelio EstateCarmel Valley
Roar WinesCastroville
Scheid VineyardsCarmel
Scratch WinesCarmel Valley
Shale Canyon WineryCarmel
Silvestri VineyardsCarmel
Taste MorganCarmel
Tira NanzaCarmel
Windy Oaks EstateCarmel Valley
Windy Oaks EstateCarmel
Wrath WinesCarmel

Full details for each winery are in the free PDF guide.

Data: California ABC & TTB public records

Download the free PDF guide

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