Monterey River Road Wine Trail on Valentine's Day Weekend

First Stop - Hahn Estates Winery, one of the early Monterey County vineyards.

In 1988 Hahn advocated establishing a new appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands. Hahn now owns 650 vineyard acres in this area; grows, produces and bottles their wines on the Estate. We sampled the 2008 Pinot Gris and the 2007 Central Coast Cabernet Franc - now in our wine racks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our second stop was at Wrath Vineyards - a take-off on the "Grapes of Wrath" we gather. Here we sampled more reds and enjoyed the ambiance of the pond while soaking in the sun. Below, the tasting room that is yet-to-be surrounded by acres of vineyards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was surprising that this was the aging room at Wrath. These are boutique wineries and operate on a smaller scale. This was the inventory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the Boot Room. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next stop was at Boekenoogen Winery, family owned and operated in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Here, more fine wines soothed our palates while we contemplated joining the Wine Club. Now we can look forward to quarterly selections for the next year. We established ourselves at a picnic table overlooking the vineyards and valley beyond. While others enjoyed the Boekennogen prime rib, we had our own special picnic enjoying a lovely Salinas Valley view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Boekenoogen we stopped at Manznoi Vineyards where Dave and Jeff enjoyed the busy tasting room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Manzoni we headed to the Pessagno Winery where we enjoyed their wines, the duck pond and their large tasting room ambiance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we saw unusual ducks and identified them later as Ring-necked Ducks, new on our California bird list.

Then on home to Jeff & Melissa's for more wine, a great meal and the happy Valentine's Day Wine Trail celebration family photo. Until next year when we hope Jodi and Paul can join us.