With such a large selection, we wanted to share our top 5 Carmel Valley Tasting Rooms. We have a rich selection of activities, site-seeing opportunities, and experiences to explore. But when you’re in this part of the country, there’s nothing like tasting some award-winning flavors produced by our local vineyards. So, let’s take a deeper look at our 5 favorites.
1. Bernardus Vineyards & Winery
5 W Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
(800) 223-2533 | Tasting Room Hours
For 25+ years, the Dutchman Ben Marinus Pon explored and perfected the art of wine-making within the rolling hills of Carmel Valley. His love for grape growing and wine production is what motivated him to share that experience with others. In turn, it led him to establish the first wine-tasting room in Carmel Valley. When you visit Bernardus Vineyards & Winery, they offer wines for tasting and purchase, seating on their beautiful and relaxed outdoor patio, an intimate tasting experience in their private room, or a comfortable place to recline in their lounge. You can make a reservation or simply walk in Tuesdays through Saturdays to experience one of the 23+ wine varieties available for tasting.
2. Boekenoogen
24 W Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
(831) 659-4215 | Tasting Room Hours
You’ll be nothing short of stunned by the beauty of Boekenoogen, family-owned vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County. The family is one of the few wine-makers who grows, produces, and bottles their wines on-site. Their wine-tasting room is open daily and has wowed visitors with its rustic interior design coupled with a modern exterior patio. Reservations are not required for a wine-tasting experience. Their event room, however, is available to reserve for parties of 60+ people. Be sure to keep an eye out for their unique family crest from the 1200s found on every bottle of wine and throughout the winery.
3. I. Brand & Family
19 E Carmel Valley Rd, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
(831) 298-7227 | Tasting Room Hours
If you’re looking for affordable, high-quality wines curated by an award-winning and innovative winemaker, you’ll want to pay a visit to I. Brand & Family Vineyards. This family-owned winery has taken the fields by storm, redefining what wine-making really is and landing owner Ian Brand the title of 2018 Winemaker of the Year in the San Francisco Chronicles. They recommend making reservations ahead of time so you can relish the newfound wine-tasting experience the Brand family has created. Make sure to try one of their three wine brands, La P’tit Paysan, La Mavea, and I. Brand & Family.
4. Joullian
2 Village Dr, Carmel Valley, CA 93924
(831) 659-8100 | Tasting Room Hours
Top-tier hospitality and an unforgettable wine and food pairing experience are what await you at Joullian Vineyards & Winery tasting room. Established in 1982, just 20 minutes from the Monterey Coast, Joullian is a must-see. All Joullian wines receive extended bottle aging to mature and develop character, smoothness, and complexity. All of their red wine varietals are grown on the estate with careful thought of the end goal in mind, sophisticated bottled wine. Walk-ins are welcomed at the tasting room and offer guests a private tasting with an experienced and knowledgeable staff member; your choice of three different flight options; room for 1-8 people and lasts about one hour. You can also choose to reserve a Vineyard Executive Tour to learn about Joullian’s history and the wine-making process, formally taste 4 estate wines, experience a barrel tasting, go on a vineyard tour, and have an optional self-catered picnic on the property.
5. Windy Oaks
550 Hazel Dell Rd, Corralitos, CA 95076
(831) 724-9562 | Tasting Room Hours
Windy Oaks was established in 1999 with the goal of producing world-class Pinot-Noir.
They are a proudly, fully-sustainable farm and focus on using only organic products and techniques. Their wines are aged 17-27 months in French oak barrels and bottled without filtering or fining. This minute process is what makes Windy Oaks stand out amongst other wineries and has earned them Winery of the Year by Rusty Gaffney, Pinotfile, one of the most renowned wine writers in the world. You can enjoy the fruit of their labor when you visit one of their three tasting rooms:
- Windy Oaks Estate (reservations required)
- Carmel-by-the-Sea Tasting Room
- Carmel Valley Tasting Room
Opting to visit one of these successful and artisanal wineries is sure to make your trip to Carmel Valley a memorable one. But the wine experience doesn’t have to end at one of these top 5 Carmel Valley wine-tasting rooms. Bring a bottle of your favorite locally produced wines back to your cozy room at our lodge and enjoy sipping and savoring beneath the stars and next to a crackling fire. Book your stay now!
