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North Central Coast: Monterey-Carmel, Mt. Harlan, Chalone, Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Seco
These wineries are spread over a vast region but are relatively easy to locate. Arm yourself with good maps or GPS.
Recommended Wineries
| Bernardus Vineyards & Winery |
| Phone | 800-223-2533 |
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| Tasting Room | Open daily 11-5. |
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| Production | 50,000 cases |
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| Winemaker | Dean DeKorth |
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| Owner | Ben Pon |
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| Comments | 200 acres owned, 80 acres leased. Established in 1990. Pinot Noir from esteemed Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards including Pisoni, Garys', Rosella's, Soberanes and Sierra Mar. |
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| PoP coverage | Bernardus Vineyards & Winery |
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| Calera Wine Co. |
| Phone | 831-637-9170 |
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| Tasting Room | Open daily at 11300 Cienaga Road outside Hollister |
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| Production | 30,000 cases of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Viognier, Aligote. |
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| Winemaker | Mike Waller |
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| Owner | Duckhorn Wine Company |
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| Comments | All of the wines from Calera come from estate vineyards except the Central Coast bottlings. A California heritage winery (est. 1976). Age worthy and complex Pinot Noirs of great interest. 75 acres owned. Josh Jensen sold winery he founded in 2017 to Duckhorn Wine Company but continued to be involved. |
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| PoP coverage | Calera Wine Co. |
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| Hahn Family Wines |
| Phone | 831-678-2132 |
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| Tasting Room | Open daily 11-4. Picnic area. Tours by appointment. |
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| Production | 500,000 cases |
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| Winemaker | Paul Clifton |
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| Owner | Nicky Hahn |
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| Comments | 950 acres owned. Est. 1980. Lucienne is the premium wine brand that is a winery within the Hahn Estates winery. Vineyard-designated estate Pinot Noir from Lone Oak, Smith, doctor's and Hook vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands. |
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| PoP coverage | Hahn Family Wines |
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| Morgan Winery |
| Phone | 831-751-7777 |
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| Tasting Room | Visitor Center and Tasting Room in Crossroads Shopping Village in Carmel. |
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| Production | 7,000 cases |
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| Winemaker | Gianni Abate |
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| Owner | Dan Morgan Lee and Donna Lee |
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| Comments | 45 acres owned. Long time producers of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and most recently several other varietals. |
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| PoP coverage | Morgan Winery |
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| Wrath Wines |
| Phone | 831-678-2212 |
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| Tasting Room | Friday-Monday at Winery Tasting Room in Soledad; Daily at Carmel Tasting Room in Carmel Plaza |
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| Production | 10,000 cases |
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| Winemaker | Sabrine Rodems, Byron Kosuge |
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| Owner | Barbara Lemmon, Michael Thomas |
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| Comments | 68 acres owned. Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc from estate San Saba Vineyard and other esteemed properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands. |
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| PoP coverage | Wrath Wines |
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Recommended Lodging
| Bernardus Lodge |
| Phone | 888-648-9463 |
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| Comments | High-end, deluxe accommodations with an outstanding restaurant. Expensive. |
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| Highlands House at Pessagno Winery |
| Phone | 831-675-9463 |
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| Comments | Located on Pessagno Winery Estate, a perfect location for exploring Santa Lucia Highlands and Monterey County wine country. |
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| PoP coverage | Pessagno Winery |
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| Inn at the Pinnacles |
| Phone | 831-678-2400 |
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| Comments | B&B with six rooms. Weekends only. |
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| Las Laureles Lodge |
| Phone | 831-659-2233 |
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| Comments | Ranch house style historic property that is reasonably priced, but a bit rustic. Good restaurant. |
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| Tradewinds Carmel |
| Phone | 831-624-2776 |
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| Comments | A boutique hotel located in the heart of Carmel. Featured in Architectural Digest for its unique fusion of Asian and tropical design. An oasis of calm. 28 luxury rooms, $225-$550 with continental buffet breakfast. |
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Recommended Restaurants
| Bouchee Restaurant & Wine Bar |
| Phone | 831-626-7880 |
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| Comments | French Bistro and wine bar/wine store. Local Monterey seafood. Great wine list. |
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| Marinus at Bernardus Lodge |
| Phone | 888-688-9463 |
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| Comments | Superb gourmet restaurant with extensive winelist (Wine Spectator Grand Award). Highly awarded California cuisine of Chef Cal Stamenov. |
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| Montrio Bistro |
| Phone | 813-648-8880 |
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| Comments | Superb American bistro. |
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| Restaurant 1833 |
| Phone | 831-643-1833 |
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| Comments | Executive chef Levi Mezick opened the restaurant in 2011 after cooking in top New York City restaurants including Cafe Boulud and Per Se. Named for the date the historic adobe that houses the restaurant was built, the historic property has been lavishly renovated. The American cuisine is based on local ingredients. Wine list has about 500 labels, about one-third from Monterey County, focusing on small producers and rising stars. |
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| Rio Grill |
| Phone | 813-625-5436 |
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| Comments | Casual grill but good, compact wine list and and excellent food. One of my favorites. |
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| The Sardine Factory |
| Phone | 813-373-3775 |
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| Comments | A Monterey institution for years. Everyone needs to go here at least once. Wine Spectator Grand Award wine list. |
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Picnic Supplies
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| Wild Thyme Deli & Cafe |
| Comments | CIA-trained chef making sandwiches. Smoke and roast own meats, quality ingredients. |
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Appellation Websites
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