In the heart of the rich agricultural Salinas Valley, the landscape is dominated by extensive fields of beans, spinach, lettuce, peppers and corn. Grapes, too, have been a staple of the agricultural economy for many years, and along with grapes come wineries.

Right off the Highway south of Greenfield, Scheid Vineyards is a large industrial winemaking operation producing more than 2 million gallons of wine annually for a number of California wineries. Under their own label, however, they make so little wine they could be considered a “boutique winery”. (Some Scheid wines have production runs of less than 200 cases.) The overall impression, though, is of a very large operation. That said, the tasting room and grounds are quite nice, with the staff knowledgeable and attentive.

As you drive in from Highway 101 you see two small attractive wood-sided buildings with a redwood deck between them; in back is a brick patio with tables and chairs. Farther back is a small demonstration vineyard, with different grape varieties and trellis systems to view.

Inside are brightly painted “Tuscan yellow” walls, wood floors, a tasting counter and a nicely stocked gift shop. The gift shop features pottery, lots of glassware, a cooler holding drinks, logo clothes, gourmet olive oils, olives, pesto sauces and other food items.

The wines are made in large fermentation tanks on the property and include a wide selection of California varietals. In the tasting room they will pour their Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, White Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. They also produce a limited-production Bordeaux blend.