There are over 175 unique vineyards in Monterey County. Our vineyards range from very big, with the historical size of San Bernabe Vineyard at around 5,000 acres, to small, with Gary’s Vineyard at 50 acres. Both of these vineyards have achieved worldly fame, but for very different reasons. San Bernabe is one of the largest contiguous vineyards in the world. Gary’s is synonymous with producing world-renowned Pinot Noir wines
Have you ever held up a bottle of white wine and seen flakey things settled on the bottom? If so, perhaps you wondered how could a wine with flakes, which may even look like small pieces of glass, possibly be good?
Although Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands is a hot appellation on a global scale these days, it was another growing area of our County that actually first captured the world’s attention. It was also a wine produced from this AVA that was the first to be considered superior to French wines in a now famous blind tasting in the 1970s. This particular California Chardonnay was not from Napa Valley, as most people would assume. It was from Monterey County, and it was from Chalone.
You’ve heard wines described as Old World and New World, but these terms are often misused and misunderstood. As with most things in the wine-world, the ultimate decision on which wine each prefers is based on individual preferences. To make the issue a little more confusing, the terms can actually refer to both geographical and stylistic differences.
I met Rich Smith about eight years ago. I was pouring wine behind our tasting bar when a couple walked up and began talking to me. I was immediately struck with the genuine interest the gentleman showed in me, and his warming smile was comforting. Only later did I realize I was talking with one of the founding fathers of the Monterey County wine industry. And now, with his recent passing, I’m not at all surprised to hear of all the similar impressions of Rich shared by all who had the good fortune to meet him.
You probably know Cabernet Sauvignon. But do you know the other Sauvignon - Sauvignon Blanc? As it turns out, Monterey County produces some outstanding Sauvignon Blanc wines.
We are truly fortunate here in Monterey County with our spectacular wineries. I recently heard on the KRML radio station, the Director of the Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association claim that she expects a few local wineries to very soon break out from a “boutique” status to join the more well-known Californian wineries. Joyce Vineyards was among this group.
Monterey County produces so many outstanding red wine varietals, which admittedly leads to less attention devoted to our County’s white wines. And, it is attention that is well-deserved. Monterey County produces equally outstanding whites as it does red wines.