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Monterey » Ventana Vineyards

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Ventana Vineyards

2999 Monterey-Salinas Hwy
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 372-7415

Tasting:   Open Daily 11-5pm
Tasting is complimentary
10% discount of 6-11 bottles, 15% on case purchase
Amenities:
  Stonehouse Tasting Room
Price Range:   $8 to $45 for some of their reserve wines.
Established:   1974
Vineyards:   350 acres

Ventana Vineyards Description

Just off Highway 68 is a historic complex of rock-walled buildings built on the side of a hill; this is the home of Ventana Vineyards’ tasting room. The ivy-covered rock walls provide an old-world charm to the place, which was originally built in the early 1920s.

Surrounded by beautiful pine and oak trees, the Ventana patio is splashed with color and fragrance. There is bench seating, and tables surround an open-top fireplace, creating the ultimate cozy experience. Within the historic Stone House, the cozy tasting bar and gift boutique is especially appealing. One wall is covered with hundreds of award ribbons from their 32-year winemaking history.

The newer portion of the building is an additional luxurious room with a hand-carved Burmese thirteen-and-a-half-foot grape-motif table, elegant draperies and a Parisian tapestry. Porcelains rest atop the curio cabinet. The room is finished off with groupings of family and vineyard photographs and large-format wine bottles.

The history at Ventana has been to constantly perfect and experiment with the challenges of growing grapes in a cool climate. Some of the innovations are close vine spacing and split-canopy trellising. These methods protect vines from the wind, as well opening the fruit to sunlight and greater air circulation. Wines are handmade and estate-bottled. The chardonnays are made in a fruit-forward style, with oak used as an accompaniment to the fruit, and not overpowering the natural flavors of the wine.

The vineyard and winery is located on the west side of the Salinas Valley, where the Arroyo Seco River flows out of the Santa Lucia Mountains. The winery grows and produces Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Sangiovese, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Grenache Noir.


Ventana Vineyards Features

Ambiance Types of Wine Amenities
Kid Friendly
Historic Features
Casual & Relaxed
Hip & Stylish
Storefront only
Dog Friendly
Cabernet Sauvignon
Pinot Noir
Syrah
Italian
Gift Shop - Special
Picnic Sites
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Ventana Vineyards Reviews

Staff Knowledge & Friendliness
Amenities, Comfort & Cleanliness
Value
Wine Quality
Overall Impressions
Santa Cruzian Opinion
Winerific, Santa Cruz
Last weekend I had the chance to head down to Monterey area for some wine tasting. We stopped off at a few wineries and this was my favorite of the ones I went to. Their wines were all very affordable for good quality! Reminded me of Southern California wineries with the oak trees surrounding the vineyard. The tasting room is elegant. The 2005 Syrah has a bold blueberry-spice flavor and has a low tannins which help this wine go down smooth and easy. The Syrah also had a slightly peppery taste on the pallette. Another wine I'd recommend would be the 2005 Orange Muscat. This wine has a delicate aroma with flavors of orange blossoms. Not only are the two wines outlined great wines, they are also both very affordable (under $15). They also have an outdoor picnic area which makes it easy to have lunch outdoors (which we did not do, but would do on the next visit). Overall...make this a stop on your NorCal winery tour!!

Review Disclaimer

The above reviews are the subjective opinion of Winery Advisor members and not of Winery Advisor LLC.

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