Right along the busy Interstate 5 highway is the barrel shaped, wood shingled complex of buildings that is home to Delicato Family Vineyards. As one of the largest producers in the state, Delicato is a very hospitable, family oriented and interesting winery with a good gift shop and unique events for home winemakers.

The Delicato family owns the nations, and perhaps the world’s, largest most diverse single vineyard property, located in southern Monterey County. The 12,640 acre San Bernabe Vineyard has over 5500 acres planted to 21 different grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah/Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Barbera, Gewürztraminer, White Riesling, Lagrein and Valdiguié, to name just a few.

The newly built tasting room sits in front of dozens of giant fermentation vats, some as large as 350,000 gallons. The very spacious tasting room has displays of wine gifts and a special section devoted to home winemakers. There is a large assortment of equipment including small presses, hoses, fermentors, small barrels, as well as yeast, wine making books and oak chips. During the harvest winemaking seminars are held and unfermented grape juice can be purchased for less than $3 a gallon.

Delicato makes dozens of wines, under eight different brand names. Some wines are made in small amounts and only available in the tasting room.