Carmel-by-The-Sea: Wine Tasting at Caraccioli Cellars

Carmel-by-the-Sea is quaint and beautiful. It’s full of darling shops, restaurants, and just a few years new, the Carmel-by-the-Sea Wine Walk.

The Wine Walk offers a superior wine tasting experience on the self-paced, self-guided stroll to the seven tasting rooms on the south side of Ocean Avenue. Amble to each room to sample local estate-grown still and sparkling wines. Each tasting room, unique in its look, style, and offerings, is also happy to suggest restaurant recommendations as well as food/wine pairings.

Our first stop was Caraccioli Cellars, know for their bubblies, and Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands. The tasting room was gorgeous with it’s dark walls and mirror and wine accessory displays. Plenty of tables to enjoy the wine plus stools at the bar. The girls pouring the wine were charming and full of knowledge about the and kept us entertained as we took our time that early Sunday afternoon.

We tasted two sparkling wines and two still. Our favorite was the 2008 Chardonnay that had lovely apricot notes on the bouquet as well as blended with citrus in flavor. I’m still thinking about it here a week later and want to drive back and pick some up!

Purchase a Wine Walk passport, a $70 value, for $50 online at the Carmel Chamber of Commerce.

Our wine passports were hosted for a press weekend. All opinions our own.