Right off Carmel Valley Road is a French-style destination winery estate complex of visitor facilities, well landscaped grounds, spacious terraces, covered patios and a six-acre vineyard.
As you stroll down the path past the rose bushes and flowers, you enter through the heavy wooden doors of the “Chateau”. Inside is a room with a grand fireplace, 30-foot tall open-beam ceilings, and classic antiques. A hand-blown stained glass window sits majestically at the opposite end of the “Great Hall."
There is no tasting bar in the Great Hall, but instead an 18-foot-long antique mahogany table for tasting the wines. The effect is that visitors taste the wines “family-style,” feeling like a guest in a great house. They are encouraged to roam around the grounds and to feel at home exploring. Guests are welcome to enjoy the ambiance of the garden cobblestone courtyard, the covered “Conservatory” patio, and the winery operation. There are three group tour options for those looking for a VIP experience. These include barrel tasting, private reserve wine tasting, and cheese and fruit plates with a keepsake wine glass.
In addition to their six acres of Sangiovese on the winery grounds, Chateau Julien has an estate vineyard in southern Monterey County's Lockwood Valley. Over 25% of the 246-acre vineyard is planted with the winery's flagship varietal, Merlot. Chateau Julien also produces wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay,
Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Gewurztraminer, Syrah & Malbec, Bordeaux and Proprietary Red blends.
All the wines are made at the “Chateau,” and, with the addition of the new barrel room (dubbed “the Chai”), the winery is able to barrel-ferment 100 percent of the Chardonnays and aged wines longer in oak. In addition to their California varietal offerings, Chateau Julien also produces some specialty wines, including Gewürztraminer, Port and a Cream Sherry. The winery hosts many special events and offers custom labeling, including hand-etched bottles.
