Twelve miles east of Carmel is the village of Carmel Valley, home to some eight wineries and tasting rooms. On the corner of Pilot Road is the rock-walled tasting room of Robert Talbott Vineyards. The name might be familiar due to the success of the local family’s international tie business that was started back in the 1950s.

With three vineyards in the region, they produce a number of offerings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with each vintage being named after a family member. Their “Diamond T” vineyard was planted in 1982 and was their first foray into viticulture. At 1,200 feet elevation, this 24-acre tightly spaced vineyard grows in an almost soilless mixture of shale and granite on a mountaintop eight miles from Carmel Bay. Planted with the Corton-Charlemagne Chardonnay clone, it has produced many memorable wines. The family purchased additional property in the Santa Lucia Highlands and recently built a new 28,000 square-foot-winery to replace their aging facility in nearby Cachagua.

The tasting room has a pleasant entry that features a bubbling fountain. Inside is a cozy spot with family photos, comfortable couches, chairs and antique cabinets. On the walls hang White House menus featuring Talbott wines. There is a lovely outdoor patio in their garden for taking in the scenery while enjoying a glass of wine.  To show the soil profile of one of their vineyards, a six-foot transparent tube is on display showing the various layers of rock, shale, and soil that make up their property. Next door is a restaurant that can serve you food.