Monterey, Ca. Winery Recommendations

[Freybird]

Hello fellow Winos,
Next week I'm taking a 4 day vacation to Monterey, Ca. with my Finance (she's originally from Concord, Ca) (Staying with her Mother in Oakland) We'd like to visit wineries between Oakland and Monterey...any suggestions? We both like big tannic reds, but not opposed to white or rose. As "Cross-Drinkers" any brewery suggestions would also be welcome.

Thanks!

[Halm]

As an alternative, go south to Gilroy. Lots of smaller wineries there. In particular, we enjoy Solis and their Merlot's.

[Nine17]

Ridge in Cupertino. Monte Bello cabernet. Big... Tannic... Red...

Parker, Wine Speculator, Tanzer, all 94+ every year... This is the Real Deal...

[Freybird]

Thanks guys, noted!

[RWebb]

+1 on Ridge - they make real wines; unlike most in the Americas...

[Freybird]

OK, Ridge is top of the list.
Looks like we'll hit Cupertino then head down the coast on 1 to Monterey. Eventualy heading back North on 101 through Gilroy.
Thanks guys!

[Don Plumley]

The drive past Monterey to Big Sur is one of the finest pieces of road in America. I'd reserve a couple of hours for that.

Here's a link to the Monterey County wine map. Other than Chalone EDIT: Calera (world class Pinot Noir), I really don't have any direct experience with anyone there.

+1 on Ridge; Testarossa in Saratoga/Los Gatos is worth a trip; Mt. Eden in Saratoga

Have fun and let us know what you liked!

[Nine17]

Well, you could drive up Carmel Valley to Bernardus. Owned by Bernardus "Ben" Pon, son of the inventor of the "Bulli" van, aka Samba, aka Microbus. Ben Pon has been a Le Mans racer in Porsches (and even did one Formula One race in a Porsche). He has a wonderful Bordeaux-style estate in C-V as well as a world-class hostelry, Bernardus Lodge, with former Highlands Inn chef Cal Staminov. His Marinus is a Cab/Merlot/Cab Franc/Malbec/Petit Verdot estate blend; they also make a nice Chardonnay and a really outstanding Sauv Blanc. And of course, the Porsche connection displayed in the tasting room. Ben Pon has raced an Abarth Carrera in the Monterey Historics of late, is also one of the main food and wine sponsors of The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering. On your way from Cupertino to Carmel Valley, stop and see my friends the Storrs (Storrs Winery) in Santa Cruz...

[t6dpilot]

I highly recommend the Bernardus Lodge as well. First class accomodations, food, and wine. Plus when it is cool and foggy on the coast, you can venture into CV and enjoy sunshine and warmth. I really liked it there. Now if you reeaaallly want to spend some jack and have a cool experience, you could reserve a "room" at the Post Ranch Inn inbetween Carmel and Big Sur. Enjoy the trip - sounds great.

[kjb]

+1 on Bernardus.

I can also recommend Calera, just south of Hollister. They make some good Pinot Noirs.

/ Johan

[Nine17]

+1 on Calera.

It's a little tricky to find, a bit out of the way, and the "tasting room" is a corner of the bottling warehouse, but Robert Parker has rightly called it the "Domaine de la Romanee Conti of California." Serious pinot.

[Freybird]

Thanks to everyone whom made suggestions, the wine day was outstanding!
We attempted to visit Ridge on Friday afternoon, but the tasting room was closed. Saturday was breakfast in Monterey, as we watched 911 after 911 pass by. On to the wineries! We first hit Bernardus (Reserve Chardonnay and the Marinus wowed us), and then Talbotts where the pinots went from OK to incredible! We were talked into visiting Chateau Jullien which we enjoyed (bought Port and Sherry) but left us wishing we'd purchased more at Bernardus.
Next was late lunch on Cannery Row and a speedy dash to Cupertino to hit Ridge by 5:00pm. The drive was longer than we expected and we were cutting it close at 4:40 driving up the switch backs. Misplaced, I called the winery for directions. Much to our chegrine, they had closed at 4:00pm and not 5:00pm; we agreed to save Ridge for next time.
In all we brought 9 bottles back with us and they all survived the baggage handlers!

Thanks again for the suggestions, we have plenty destinations for our next trip in the Spring!

[Nine17]

Good work! So sorry about Ridge. Hope that you at least had a fun car to drive up and down Montebello Road...