Cruv

California wine region

Monterey County Wineries and Tasting Rooms

Walk between small tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea, then head inland: Carmel Valley for Cabernet Sauvignon, River Road for Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir.

35+ places in Cruv · 9 upcoming events

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Autumn-gold vineyard rows on a hilltop in Carmel Valley, with layered Santa Lucia mountain ridges under a cloudy blue sky.

At a glance

Places in Cruv
35+
Upcoming events
9
Known for
  • Pinot Noir
  • Chardonnay
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
Nearest city
Northern edge about 100 miles south of San Francisco

Areas in Monterey County

  • Carmel Valley

    Look for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in this AVA, established in 1982. Vineyards sit mainly in the valley and in Cachagua, some above the coastal fog.

    15+ places in Cruv

  • Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey

    Small tasting rooms near the coast. In Carmel-by-the-Sea, many are close enough to walk between; if you bring a dog, ask each tasting room first.

    8 places in Cruv

Also in Monterey County: Santa Lucia Highlands, Arroyo Seco, River Road Wine Trail, Southern Monterey County.

Know before you go

Reservations
Open days and booking rules differ by tasting room, so confirm your stops before you drive inland.
Tasting fees
Fees, and whether a purchase waives them, vary by tasting room, even within Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Getting there
Arrive by Highway 1 along the coast or Highway 101 inland. Monterey's regional airport is about 10 minutes from downtown, and San Jose's about 75 minutes from Monterey, depending on traffic.
Best time to visit
Spring is a good time for green views along the River Road trail. Around Monterey, September is usually the warmest month and January the coolest; most rain falls November to March.
Getting around
Tasting areas stretch from Carmel-by-the-Sea down the Salinas Valley, and some roads wind, so group your stops by area. Plan a designated driver, a rideshare or a tour; taxis serve the Monterey Peninsula.

Events can include live music at wineries and tasting rooms, plus small tastings and festivals.

Monterey County on the map

Map of California showing Monterey County southeast of the city of Monterey (California wine regions)

Nearby wine regions

  • Santa Cruz Mountains

    Mountain-grown Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from mostly small, family-owned wineries, minutes from San Jose.

    70+ places in Cruv · 25+ upcoming events

  • Santa Clara Valley

    Winemaking here dates to the Spanish missions, and today's wineries cluster around Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy, south of San Jose.

    35+ places in Cruv · 30+ upcoming events

  • Paso Robles

    More than 40 grape varieties grow across Paso Robles' 11 districts, from the oak-studded Westside hills to open Eastside ranchland.

    190+ places in Cruv · 75+ upcoming events