CorkSavvy

The mention of Monterey, California usually evokes daydreams of driving along the beautiful coastline with windblown hair, enjoying a romantic sunset. In addition to natural, dreamy beauty, Monterey has come to embody so much more: wine, agriculture, history, and art to name a few.

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Monterey can appeal to all types of travelers because of the diversity of activities available. To fully experience Monterey, you must start at the historic center: Cannery Row. The historic landmarks, buildings and walkways are reminiscent of the days of industry. Cannery Row was first made famous by novelist John Steinbeck and has now become a popular area for visitors to shop, dine. A Taste of Monterey, located on Cannery Row, is the perfect place to begin a tour of Monterey. A Taste of Monterey offers visitors a taste of wines from over 70 vineyards made in Monterey. Some to try: Chalone Estate Pinot Noir 2006 and the Manzoni Chardonnay 2005. Be sure to pick up information at the Wine Visitor's Center before you leave.

After tearing yourself away from the wine-induced euphoria, make your way further down Cannery Row and head to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The aquarium overlooks the ocean, making the whole experience one big fantasy of sea and fun. It is a great place for visitors of all ages; they have many exhibits for kids and just as many for adults to enjoy. One of our favorites is the jelly fish, which recently appeared in Will Smith's new film, Seven Pounds. The penguin, sea otter and shark exhibits are exciting and enjoyable as well. The aquarium also focuses on conservation with programs like the Seafood Watch List.



When you have gotten your fill of Cannery Row, hop into the car and head south to the National Steinbeck Center located in Salinas, the hometown of John Steinbeck. The museum offers a multi-sensory experience where you can take part in the interactive exhibits. The exhibits focus on the literature (of course), history, art, and agriculture (a very important part of region's history). If you were intrigued by the National Steinbeck Center's offerings and awed by the beauty of Salinas, then feel free to whip out your high school copy of Of Mice and Men or East of Eden and revel in your new appreciation of Steinbeck's descriptive language.



In addition to your intellectual satisfaction, you can experience your adrenaline rush. If you have an adventurer in the group, the Land Rover Experience Driving School offers an off road experience.

When you are finished with your long day, head back to Cannery Row to stay at The InterContinental Clement Monterey, which is the newest property along Cannery Row. The highlight of this hotel is not the ocean views, which are magnificent, but actually the service, it is just exceptional. The entire staff goes out of their way to make your stay pleasant, not at all what you would expect in a tourist driven town. Executive Chef Jerry Regester focuses on locally grown produce and seafood in the hotel's restaurants. The seafood huevos rancheros is a must try on the breakfast menu.

Finally, and most importantly the vineyards: Monterey has such a diverse range of wines due to its unique terrior. The wines vary greatly due to the diverse microclimates found within the region. This allows for a large number of grape varieties to produce quality wines from this region. The potential of the region began to be realized with the findings of Professor A.J. Winkler, a viticulturalist from the University of California at Davis in 1960. His report classified Monterey County with other premium wine growing regions around the world such as Bordeaux, Napa, and Burgundy.



In the early 60s, following the research findings of Professer Winkler, pioneers of the region started planting vineyards, including J.Lohr, Chalone and Mirassou who still set high standards for the region today. Over time, these producers have been joined by many more quality growers and wine producers. Chardonnay is the most planted grape in Monterey County, accounting for 40% of the total acreage. Others popular varieties include Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Riesling.

Some tasting rooms worth visiting are: Chateau Julien where the tasting room experience is as pleasing as the wines. Ventana Vineyards has a friendly atmosphere and in nice weather you can enjoy the wines outside on the patio. Stop by Tarpy's Roadhouse next door for lunch or dinner. Their wine list includes some great selections from around the area.

Bernardus is often recognized by their lodge on the property but the tasting room is a great place to sample some of their award winning wines. The lodge cozy yet luxurious. The spa offers relaxing experience and a selection of vinotherapy treatments. If you are looking for an additional indulgence, try out Chef Cal Stamenov's cuisine at Marinus.

Some others Tasting Rooms to visit:
Clos LaChance Winery
Bargetto Winery
Scheid Vineyards
Blackstone Winery
Morgan Winery