Yon don’t hear about it very often, but Carmel Valley is one of the best regions to go for wine tasting in California, especially if you’re looking for family-owned, boutique wineries with a welcoming, country feel to them.
The wineries in Carmel Valley are underrated in the California wine scene, but in a way we like that because it preserves the integrity of the experience, unlike other areas that overshadow it, like Napa Valley and Sonoma County, Carmel is a haven for wine enthusiasts seeking a real experience.
Whether you like velvety reds or crisp whites, you’ll find them here dedication and passion of winemakers who have made Carmel Valley one of California’s best wine regions.
Intrigued? Keep reading to discover some of the best Carmel Valley wineries where you can savor the most delectable wines in one of the country’s top wine regions.
Looking for more information to plan your trip to Carmel? Here are more things to do in Carmel-by-the Sea, as well as a Carmel-by-the-Sea wine tasting guide.
About Carmel Valley Wine
Carmel Valley is part of the larger Monterey AVA (American Viticultural Area), but it has its own designated AVA as well, known as the Carmel Valley AVA. This smaller AVA, recognized in 1983, focuses on the warm, sun-drenched inland region, stretching about 8 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean.
This geographical demarcation helps ensure that the wines produced here share a common flavor profile and quality that are distinct to this region.
The area is graced by a natural geographic orientation that funnels the cool, Pacific Ocean air down the valley, helping create a unique microclimate that experiences a substantial diurnal temperature variation. This fluctuation in temperature between the warm days and cool nights fosters the growth of complex, vibrant flavors in the grapes that are hard to replicate in other wine regions.
As for grape varietals, Carmel Valley is known for a wide range, but it is particularly famous for Bordeaux and Rhône varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon is the king here, producing full-bodied, complex wines that embody the terroir. Other red varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah flourish as well, thanks to the region’s diverse soil composition and climate.
Our Recommended Carmel Valley Hotel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Carmel Valley Ranch
✔️ Great location near Old Town
✔️ Updated rooms
How Much Does Wine Tasting Cost?
Wine tasting in California has gotten quite a bit more expensive in the past few years. Gone are the days of free tastings. In fact, many regions are charging $20-40 per tasting. With this fee, you’ll get around 5 wine tasting pours. You can share a tasting at most places, which will cut down on the cost of it, and help you manage your intake.
Something I’m excited to tell you about is the Priority Wine Pass, which helps me tasting fees a lot easier to swallow. The Pass is simply the easiest way to save on wine tasting in California.
Show your card at any of the over 300+ wineries that accept the pass and start saving money. Many of the wine tasting discounts are 2-for-1. That means you and your tasting partner only pay for one tasting. If the winery usually charges $25 per tasting, you save $25. The pass is valid 365 days from the day you purchase it. It’s pretty awesome. We buy a new one every year. It’s good in California, Washington, and Oregon.
Top Wineries in Carmel Valley
So if you’re wondering what is the best winery in Carmel Valley, here’s a rundown of the best wineries in the region – the final decision rests on you and your palate.
Parsonage Winery Tasting Room
Location: 19 E Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA
Parsonage is an intimate, family-run winery and vineyard located in the heart of Carmel Valley. The cozy tasting room features an art gallery, high ceilings, and chic wooden furniture creating a vibrant space for wine lovers and art enthusiasts alike.
You can enjoy a variety of regular or reserve flight wines at Parsonage for as little as $25 per person. The boutique winery’s seven-acre vineyard mainly produces bold red wines, from punchy Syrahs to hearty Cabernet Sauvignons and Pinot Noirs. So if you prefer white wine, the Parsonage Tasting Room might not be for you.
Parsonage also offers a dog-friendly environment and indoor and outdoor patio settings where you can enjoy the lovely California weather.
Joyce Wine Company
Location: 1 E Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA
As soon as you walk into the Joyce Tasting Room, you’ll be greeted by a welcoming, serene, and airy atmosphere. The plant-filled tasting room boasts classy, wooden decor paired with elegant chandeliers and beamed ceilings.
Joyce Wine Company is another family-run winery in Carmel, led by self-taught winemaker Russel Joyce, so you’ll feel right at home. Joyce’s four-acre winery produces pungent reds, mainly specializing in Pinot Noirs. But you can also enjoy several other varietals, from Chardonnay to Sauvignon Blanc and Gamay Noir.
Pelio Estate Wines
Location: 25 Pilot Rd, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
One of the newer wineries in Carmel Valley is Pelio Estate Wines. Opened in 2022 by sisters Shelby and Lindsey Pelio, the winery is the realization of a dream they had as kids to start a business together. Their wines are made with the estate grapes from the vineyard their family purchased in 2000.
They’re making Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Rose, which are perfect for growing in the Carmel Valley. At their tasting room, you can try a classic tasting of all 3 wines, a comparative tasting, or a vertical tasting.
There are a lot of things to love about this winery, including the amazing olive trees in the front that were brought in from a farm in Northern California, the antiquities they’ve sourced, and the incredible interior design, but what we love the most is that it’s a 21+ winery.
Georis Winery
Location: 1 Pilot Rd, Carmel Valley, CA
If you love early California Mission-style architecture, you’ll appreciate the adobe-style Georis Winery. This cozy tasting room features a charming interior with a large fireplace, cactus plants, and handmade beamed ceilings topped with unique handmade Spanish tiles.
Georis offers delicious sparkling and red wine blends, with Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay being mainstays on the list of vintage wines. You can also enjoy a range of Rosé wines and ciders. After your wine tasting, take some time to stroll through Georis’ lush gardens.
Twisted Roots Winery
Location: 12 Del Fino Pl, Carmel Valley, CA
Named after the intricately-shaped Zinfandel grape vines dotted across its vineyard, Twisted Roots Winery features a white interior with black furnishings and industrial pendant lights. As you arrive, you’re greeted by knowledgeable staff led by the owners, Josh and Julie.
This Carmel Valley winery’s vineyard dates back to the early 1900s. Its grapes are produced from sustainable farming, which results in an array of high-quality wines. You can savor various red wines at Twisted Roots, like Cabernet and Petite Sirah. You can also enjoy white wines and ciders.
Albatross Ridge
Location: 19 E Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
Albatross Ridge Winery is a major player in the wine scene in Carmel Valley. They have a tasting room both in Carmel Valley and Carmel-by-the-Sea, so plenty of opportunities to check out what they’re doing.
Albatross Ridge specializes in premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown on their estate. They’ve consistently had wines rated at 94 and above by Wine Enthusiast, so you know you’re in for a treat. They were also recognized by Wine Enthusiast as one of the most dramatic vineyards in California. That’s saying a lot.
This location in the valley is a little cottage with a vintage truck parked out front. It’s hard to miss as you’re walking around. You can do a tasting inside or on the expansive outdoor garden patio. The tasting room features wines from their estate as well as charcuterie and chocolates for pairing.
Cowgirl Winery
Location: 4 Pilot Rd, Carmel Valley, CA
If you’re looking for some Southern charm in the middle of California, look no further than Cowgirl Winery. The tasting room features a harmonious blend of rustic decor, complete with a barn-style architectural style, barrels, cowboy boots, hats, and tractors.
This exceptional winery specializes in small-batch, artisanal wines crafted passionately and precisely. You can enjoy the warm and inviting atmosphere of the tasting room while savoring the exquisite flavors and aromas of Cowgirl Winery’s handcrafted wines.
Bernardus Winery
Location: 5 W Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA
Located in a converted former Bank of America building, Bernardus Winery has earned a stellar reputation for producing world-class wines. The tasting room features rustic and natural themes, light and dark wooden elements, and many plants.
Bernardus Winery’s 36-acre land is abundant with many red wine varieties. You’ll be spoilt for choice, from popular blends like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, to more sophisticated wines like Petit Verdot and Malbec.
Blue Fox Cellars Wine Tasting Room
Location: 25 Pilot Rd, Carmel Valley, CA
Blue Fox Cellars Wine Tasting Room is a hidden gem among the best wineries in Carmel Valley. It’s a family-owned boutique winery offering a delightful and intimate wine-tasting experience in indoor and outdoor settings. If you’re a nature enthusiast, you’ll love the sweeping views of the surrounding mountains from the patio.
At Blue Fox Cellars, you can indulge in an array of carefully crafted blends as a knowledgeable tasting associate leads you through the tasting. You can also enjoy a game of Bocce Ball or a relaxing stroll through the expansive courtyard.
I. Brand Winery
Location: 19 E Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
Winemaker Ian Brand is the wizard behind this fantastic wine. In 2019 he was named winemaker of the year by the San Francisco Chronicle and there’s no stopping him. He’s been called “innovative, experimental and eager to push the envelope”. We saw that displayed in the wines, each with a distinctiveness that warrants having three different labels: I. Brand, Le P’Tit Paysan, and La Marea.
The tasting room is small but welcoming. You can do a tasting of 6 wines. We tried the La Marea Spanish style wines. We really enjoyed the tasting experience. Everyone was very attentive and knowledgeable about the wines.
Joullian Vineyards
Location: 2 Village Dr, Carmel Valley, CA
Over the years, Joullian Vineyards has established itself as a premier destination for wine enthusiasts in Carmel Valley. The massive 655-acre plot of land features a lush vineyard and various event spaces. Joullian’s romantic atmosphere makes it a prime wedding venue.
At Joullian Vineyards, you can enjoy a one-hour private tasting with a seasoned wine connoisseur. They’ll take you through a range of Bordeaux-inspired blends, offering three flight options. You can book a tasting experience for up to eight people, costing $20 per person.
Boekenoogen Winery Tasting
Location: 24 W Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA
Nestled amidst the Santa Lucia Highlands rolling hills, this family-owned winery features a quaint, rustic interior and a modern outdoor patio for a tranquil and relaxing experience. You can enjoy a range of bold reds and crisp whites.
From the finest Pinot Noirs to Chardonnays, Cabernets, Zinfandels, Syrahs, Petite Syrahs, Viogniers, and Marsannes, whatever your preference is, Boekenoogen Winery has it all.
This all-in-one Carmel Valley winery grows and bottles its wine on-site from start to finish. You can immerse yourself in their delectable blends with a five-wine flight tasting for $20 or a seven-wine flight for $25.
Holman Ranch Tasting Room
Location: 18 W Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA
Holman Ranch offers a unique and all-inclusive experience in the heart of Carmel Valley. The winery boasts two separate establishments, the tasting room on Carmel Valley Road and a vineyard and charming rustic lodge at Holman Road.
The ranch also hosts parties and weddings, giving you scenic views of rolling hills and picturesque vineyards as backdrops to their special day. Holman Ranch offers a selection of wine-tasting menus starting from around $35 per person.
Scratch Wine Tasting Room
Location: 1 E Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA
Scratch Wines is one of Carmel Valley’s most laid-back wineries, boasting white-washed interiors, high-beamed ceilings, and eclectic furnishings. The spacious tasting room features indoor and outdoor spaces to indulge in and a range of award-winning wines to choose from.
While the Riesling may cause all the rage regarding Scratch Wine, the tasting room offers a Brut Rose, Boekenoogen Pinot Noir, and Blanc de Blanc, all worth a try.
Big Sur Vineyards
Location: 1 Del Fino Pl, Carmel Valley, CA
Although it’s relatively new compared to other Carmel wineries, Big Sur Vineyards offers quality wines and good food that are well on par with longer-standing establishments in the area. The family-run establishment offers vintage blends, ranging from Pinot Noir to Pinot Noir Reserve, and Chardonnay. They also bottle a selection of Grenache, Syrah, and Petite Sirah.
The tasting room features three different settings; the Redwood Bar, where you can enjoy six other tastings from Rosé to White to Red. The Panorama Patio is ideal for enjoying wine while overlooking the gorgeous Santa Lucia range. And finally, the Coast Room is where you can host private functions with catering and live music.
Best Carmel Valley Wineries | Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a seasoned wine taster or looking for your first wine tour, the Carmel Valley is a great place to visit with boutique, family-owned vineyards to elegant, renowned estates.
So what are you waiting for? Raise your glass and get ready to immerse your senses in one of the US’ best wine regions and its exquisite vineyards.
Travel Planning Guide
🚙💨 Where should I book my rental car?
Renting a car is one of the best ways to get around in California, no matter where you’re visiting. Public transportation can only get your so far, even in big cities. I always rent with Discover Cars, which checks the prices of all major rental car companies, so you get the best rates.
🛌 What’s the best way to book my accommodations?
For hotels and vacation rentals, Booking.com or Expedia.com are the best sites, but you can also book through TripAdvisor. If you’re considering renting a house instead, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb.
🧳 What do I pack for California?
Head to the our California Packing List or Disneyland Packing List to get all the info on packing.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to California?
For finding cheap California flights from around the world, I recommend Skyscanner. I’ve also had pretty good luck with Kayak.com.
Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.