Wines from Monterey
Established in 1984, the Monterey AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in eastern Monterey County, California. With approximately 40,000 acres under vine, this large wine region encompasses the entire Salinas Valley, as well as part of Carmel Valley. The northern portion remains rather cool with a relatively long growing season lending itself to Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir grapes. The southern part of the Monterey AVA can reach up to 100 degrees at times and is known more for wines produced from traditional Bordeaux red varieties according to our Monterey Wine Guide. Within Monterey are the smaller sub-regions of Arroyo Seco AVA, Hames Valley AVA, San Bernabe AVA, San Lucas AVA, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA which are mostly known for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines as noted in our Monterey Wine Ratings. With a focus on tourism and hospitality, Monterey was also named one of the top 10 Wine Travel Destinations by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Check out our Monterey Wine Guide below for more information on the region.
Thomas Fogarty 2007 Skyline Riesling (Monterey)
- Editors' Choice
- $15
A wonderful Riesling, so polished and pretty. It was grown on the cooler western side of the Santa Lucia Mountains, where the chilly climate has kept refreshing acidity while letting the grapes fully ripen. Showing flavors of Meyer lemons and limes, yellow apricots, peaches, wildflowers and slate, it finishes with a long, fine taste of honey.
— S.H.
(11/15/2008)
Lorena Garcia 2006 Chardonnay (Monterey)
- $18
Very dry, tartly acidic and lemony, almost like a Sauvignon Blanc, but with richer notes of pineapple cream. Super-drinkable, and the low alcohol won’t overpower a delicate dish, like sole in a garlicky butter sauce.
— S.H.
(12/31/2008)
Wrath 2007 San Saba Vineyard Chardonnay (Monterey)
- Online Exclusive
- $55
About as oaky as a Chardonnay can get without crossing the line, although some will think it has. Shows strong flavors of buttered toast, smoky caramel and crème brûlée, with underlying fruit notes of grilled pineapples and pear preserves. Good, but the winemaker might pull it back a little in the future.
— S.H.
(11/1/2009)
Jekel 2008 Riesling (Monterey)
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $11
A delightful wine, and a classically inexpensive Monterey Riesling. Bone dry and crisp in acidity, it shows citrus, flower and mineral flavors, with a relieving touch of honey and vanilla. Sommeliers should scoop this one up. Production was 18,000 cases.
— S.H.
(12/1/2009)
Kenneth Volk 2007 San Bernabe Vineyard Malvasia Bianca (Monterey)
- $24
A lovely Malvasia that shows how well this variety can do in California. Dry and tartly crisp, it shows rich flavors of oranges, limes, flowers and vanilla. Try as an exotic alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
— S.H.
(12/15/2009)
Wrath 2009 Ex Anima Chardonnay (Monterey)
- $29
Crisp, vital acidity marks this ultrarich wine with a mouthwatering bite of tartness. The flavors are enormous, suggesting long hang time fruit that ripened to pineapple, lime and mango perfection. Not particularly subtle, but flamboyant in the California style.
— S.H.
(9/1/2010)
Darcie Kent Vineyards 2009 Rava Blackjack Vineyad Grüner Veltliner (Monterey)
- Editors' Choice
- Online Exclusive
- $18
This is a very nice, elegant wine for cleansing the palate. It’s absolutely bone dry, with zesty acidity and subtle flavors of lemons, limes, steely minerals, spices and a touch of honeysuckle. Places itself in the upper echelons of this variety in California.
— S.H.
(10/1/2010)
Fog Head 2009 Highland Series Chardonnay (Monterey)
- Best Buy
- Online Exclusive
- $13
The best Chardonnay from this brand so far. With crisp, clean acidity, it shows rich layers of tropical fruits and pears, with a stony minerality. Tastes fat and sweet in the middle, but finishes dry and zesty.
— S.H.
(9/1/2011)
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