Stretching from the coast of Monterey Bay down into the Salinas Valley, Monterey wine country is home to more than 85 vintners and growers.
The focus of Bernardus is to create wines that flatter the palate and stimulate the imagination.
The family ranch that is home to Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards is definitely a destination worth knowing. Owned and farmed by the family since 1893, the land is still very much a working ranch, complete with riding stables and 28 acres of flourishing estate vineyards.
Situated in an ideal spot, just 20 minutes south of San Jose and 45 minutes northeast of Monterey, Guglielmo (Gool-yell-mo) Winery surprises many first-time visitors with its Old-World grace and charm.
Rugged and teeming with natural beauty, the Northern Central Coast vineyards of Hahn Estates deserve to be protected.
It should come as no surprise that lifelong farmer Steve Dorcich and winemaker Jason Goelz joined forces to create Jason-Stephens Winery in Santa Clara’s spellbinding Uvas Canyon.
Although they have a family farming tradition in Monterey County that dates back more than seven decades, Manzoni Estate Vineyard’s brothers Mark and Michael are relatively new to the winegrowing side of things.
Pessagno Winery fulfills the 20-year dream of Winemaker Stephen Pessagno to produce limited quantities of exclusive luxury wines from prestigious single vineyards throughout Monterey and San Benito Counties.
Named “pietra santa” (sacred stone) to honor its granite and limestone soils, Pietra Santa Winery is a family run estate that produces artisanal wines and olive oils.
Sycamore Cellars is 75 acres and four generations strong. The vineyards are 100 percent sustainably farmed to produce the finest wines without impacting the soils and environment.
Located along 17 miles of secluded beach on the north shore of Monterey Bay, Seascape Beach Resort offers guests an ideal retreat when exploring the northern central coast wine country.
DINING Christopher's, Carmel-by-the-Sea, for soft shell-crab appetizer Dametra Cafe, Carmel-by-the-Sea, for Greek-style lamb shank Esteban, Monterey, for paella negra Paradise Beach Grille, Capitola, for Haleakala lava flow prawns Restaurant 1833, Monterey, for hen egg appetizer Sanderlings, Aptos, for lobster thermidor MEETINGS & EVENTS Bargetto Winery Bernardus Lodge Guglielmo Winery Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa Portola Hotel & Spa WINE EDUCATION A Taste of Monterey wine bar Hahn SLH Estate Winery private tour Vinocruz wine bar Wrath Wines The Custom Wrath Experience R&R Carmel Valley Ranch Casa Munras Hotel & Spa Hotel Los Gatos Mission Ranch Hotel Toll House Hotel Ventana Inn & Spa WEDDINGS Chaminade Resort & Spa Domenico Winery Seascape Beach Resort The Mountain Winery The Vineyard House at Hahn SLH Estate Winery ART & WINE Figge Cellars art gallery Heller Estate Vineyards sculpture garden Lyonshead art gallery and Wines of Carmel PICNICS Jason-Stephens Winery Manzoni Estate Winery Paraiso Vineyards Pietra Santa Winery Sycamore Cellars Talbott Vineyards, River Road
Not often thought of as a wine destination, the Northern Central Coast – comprised of Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties – is a hidden jewel for oenophiles. With the industrial Silicon Valley to the east, this region’s wines can easily be overlooks, making it the perfect destination for those who are looking for a wine experience that will pleasantly surprise them. The Northern Central Coast region is made up of different appellations and, more specifically, different microclimates within these appellations that create some truly spectacular wines. The coast is an ever-present force in this region, mediating the temperatures and creating the perfect climate for varietals such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. More recently, the cultivation of Merlot and Zinfandel has gained popularity, and both are rising to prominence.
Unlike some regions of California where wine is the main focus, the Northern Central Coast has an endless assortment of activities to partake in, from aquariums and water sports to world-class restaurants and hotels as well as hiking among the redwood forests and enjoying the ambiances of both city and country alike.
Long prized for its pristine beauty naturally sculpted by breezes from the Monterey Bay, the Northern Central Coast is experiencing a new kind of windfall these days in the form of tasting rooms.
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Wine country and beautiful sights go hand-in-hand. But if you want to capture something different in both your camera lens and glass, we recommend these five getaway spots.
Dotted throughout the Northern Central Coast wine region, seaside resorts, charming back road wineries, and copious vineyards seemingly intertwine--it's a natural place to gather together.
A tour of the Northern Central Coast With from Summit Road—down to Monterey Bay—and beyond, to the Santa Lucia Highlands.
Nearly everywhere we turn we find another great area to tour, taste, and stay! Here are our seven top regions to watch—and visit—in the summer and fall of 2011.
The Northern Central Coast, encompassing Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties, offers wine lovers a unique tasting experience no matter what the season.
California's Northern Central Coast wine region presents a diverse selection of public wine education.
Explore the different wine and culinary flavors of California's Northern Central Coast.
Enjoy California's Northern Central Coast wine regions while touring and tasting in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.
An exclusive interview with Chef Brian Overhauser of Hahn Estates.
Start at Sycamore Cellars Family Estate located in the beautiful upper Arroyo Seco appellation in Monterey County, once a turkey farm, it now boasts four generations who live and work to grow and produce the finest of wines. Sip on their Cabernet Sauvignon, this robust red captures the uniqueness of the Arroyo Seco AVA with its full bodied and velvety texture. Next, head east on Arroyo Seco Rd towards Sycamore Flats Rd and drive for about eight and a half miles. To your left you will find McIntyre Vineyards, with some of the oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines in the region it crafts small quantities of exceptional Pinot and Chardonnay that embodies the mountainous, maritime-influenced terroir. Bright, elegant, ethereal, yet bold, these are the hallmarks of the award winning wines from McIntyre Vineyards. After you’re finished tasting some wonderful wines, head north on Arroyo Seco Rd toward Paraiso Springs Rd. Stay on Paraiso Springs Rd for a little over a mile and you will find Paraiso Vineyards just a few yards away. One of the pioneering wine grape growers of the Santa Lucia Highlands, it is the first in the region to be SIP Certified Sustainable. Stop by the tasting bar, as it offers samples of the full line of Paraiso wines, including a few bottlings that can only be found here. The deck out back is a great place to hang out while tasting and taking in the view, and a stroll in the vineyard just steps away is always a nice way to spend an afternoon.
Enjoy a glass of wine at the beautiful Seascape Beach Resort in the Monterey Bay!
1:00pm – 2:30pm | $35 per person, inclusive of tax & gratuity
Enjoy the bounty of spring with a stroll through the blooming landscape of Bernardus Lodge. Then, take a leisurely walk through the award winning chardonnay & pinot noir vineyard on property with Bernardus Wine Maker Dean DeKorth, Wine Director Mark Buzan and Vineyard Manager Matt Shea. This knowledgeable trio will lead guests through a tasting of new release Bernardus wines while enjoying the valley views from Ingrid’s Vineyard. Stroll through the over 100 varieties of roses planted throughout the garden during the wine & cheese reception.
12:00pm – 3:00pm | Adults $45.00, Children 6-12 years old $20.00, plus tax & gratuity
Celebrate Father’s Day with a summer-style celebration at Bernardus Lodge in sunny Carmel Valley. Wickets Bistro will be featuring barbeque buffet with free range chicken, natural angus beef hamburgers, artisan sausages, country potato salad, organic green salad and corn-on-the-cob. In addition to indoor seating, an inviting outdoor terrace offers guests a relaxed and scenic setting to overlook the bocce & croquet lawn. After lunch, families are welcome to enjoy the bocce and croquet lawn.
11:00am – 2:00pm | $95 per person, inclusive of tax & gratuity
Join Chef Cal Stamenov and Chef Jeff Rogers of the Monterey Bay Aquarium for this collaborative demonstration and sustainable seafood lunch. The two have been friends for over 20 years and between the two of them have traveled, dined and cooked in almost every corner of the world. But the Monterey Bay draws an appeal like no other; a diversity of year round fish including salmon, halibut, sea bass, spot prawns and abalone. Whether in ceviche, quickly grilled whole or sliced for a sashimi, impeccably fresh fish needs very little adornment. Chef Cal and Chef Jeff will explain how to make good choices at the fish market and how to make the very best of each catch in the kitchen. The sustainable buffet lunch will be paired with Bernardus Wines on our outdoor terrace.
11:00am – 2:00pm | $95 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity
Summer has officially arrived and more than 1,000 lavender plants at Bernardus Lodge are just beginning to bloom. We welcome the arrival of these fragrant flowers during the month of July with our annual Lavender Harvest Celebration. Chef Cal Stamenov and Pastry Chef Ben Spungin will delight guests with ag rand lavender inspired buffet lunch paired with new relase Bernardus wine. Guests will depart with a bundle of fresh cut Bernardus lavender, recipes and more!
6:30pm Reception and 7:00pm Dinner | $165 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity
Chef Cal Stamenov and legendary growers Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni host an evening of fine food and wine, as well as a celebration of terroir, of the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley. Long time friends Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni first partnered on the Garys’ vineyard in 1997, which soon became among the most celebrated and coveted vineyards in California. Their combined passion for wines turned the southern end of the Santa Lucia Mountains from a cattle and horse range into a place in wine history. Chef Cal Stamenov will create a 5-course chefs tasting menu paired with award winning wines from Roar Wines and Pisoni Vineyards & Winery.
2:00pm – 5:00pm | $65 per person, inclusive of tax & gratuity
Celebrate the dream! The festive afternoon will feature live music, newly released Bernardus wines and masterfully-crafted hors d’oeuvres created by Chef Cal Stamenov. We invite you to savor the summer sunshine, sip Bernardus wine and nibble cocktail snacks in beautiful Carmel Valley. Proceeds from the “Best of Carmel Valley” raffle will benefit the Carmel Valley Village Improvement Committee. The non-profit, volunteer-managed organization of residents and businesses is dedicated to preserving the rural lifestyle of the Village.
Tomato lovers rejoice! For our reception, set into the Carmel Valley sunshine; enjoy live music, roasted heirloom tomato bloody marys and tomato inspired appetizers on the croquet lawn. Dick and Bonnie Swank, of Swank Farms will guide guest through over 8 varieties of Swank’s certified organic heirloom tomatoes. Then, head to Marinus Restaurant where Chef Cal Stamenov and Pastry Chef Ben Spungin will prepare a garden inspired buffet lunch featuring Cal’s Tomato Ratatouille, Carmel Valley Gazpacho, Roasted Free Range Sonoma Chicken and Natural Prime Beef. Pastry Chef Ben Spungin will create a decadent dessert buffet featuring handcrafted chocolates, tarts and ice cream. Lunch will be paired with new release Bernardus wine. Enjoy the bounty of Carmel Valley wine country at this annual event!
1:00pm – 3:00pm | $95 per person, inclusive of tax & gratuity
Pastry Chef Ben Spungin and Chef Cal Stamenov will help guests uncover just how straightforward and approachable the process of making yogurt is during this afternoon class. Yogurt is essentially just milk fermented with bacteria or culture that converts the sugar lactose in milk into lactic acid, which results in yogurt’s signature creamy texture and tangy taste. With a little inspiration, guests will discover the uses of fresh yogurt, crème fraiche and greek yogurt stretch far beyond the breakfast bowl. The afternoon includes Bernardus Wines, appetizers, and recipes.
6:30pm Reception, 7:00pm Dinner | $125 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity
Join Chef Cal Stamenov for a 5-course autumn inspired dinner paired with new release Bernardus wines. This annual dinner is hosted by Bernardus Winemaker Dean DeKorth and the team of Bernardus Winery.
Join Bernardus Winery in marking prime time for the annual grape harvest in the heart of Carmel Valley wine country. Harvesting grapes is the first step towards the finished bottle and it is the busiest time of the year for our winery. Morrow Bay Oyster Company will kick off the afternoon with a helpful shuck-you-own oyster bar and bloody mary bar. The afternoon will pay homage to the season with grape stomping, barrel wine tasting, live music and family style vineyard lunch. We invite you to witness our harvest firsthand and celebrate the culmination of a solid year’s worth of work, care and expertise. Wine Maker Dean DeKorth and Vineyard Manager Matt Shea host this afternoon in Ingrid’s Vineyard.
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12:00pm – 3:30pm | $75 per person, $32.00 per child 5-12 years old, plus tax & gratuity
There is no better place to celebrate the exceptional local harvest than at Bernardus Lodge. Chef Cal Stamenov will feature local organic vegetables, naturally raised meats and the finest fresh ingredients in a special Thanksgiving buffet. The holiday meal will feature traditional Thanksgiving favorites accented with Chef Cal Stamenov’s signature cuisine.
Join Bernardus Pastry Chef Ben Spungin for our annual Afternoon of Chocolate. Guests will be pampered with cocktails, Bernardus wines and a chocolate buffet including spiced hot chocolate, homemade marshmallows, cakes and cookies. Guests will create and decorate their own chocolate delights to take home. Whether the interest in chocolate is for giving, sharing, cooking or just indulging – there’s something for everyone this afternoon in chocolate paradise.
6:30pm Reception, 7:15pm Dinner | $500 per person, plus tax & gratuity
To celebrate the long anticipated arrival of truffle season, Chef Cal Stamenov hosts an evening of culinary magnitude and allows his inspiration to combine the local ingredients from the Central Coast with the rare diamonds of Italy & France. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception featuring a prestigious Cuvee Champagne and Sobieski-Black Tuffle Martinis. Cocktails are followed by a six-course chef’s tasting menu and a once in a lifetime culinary experience.