May 16, 2025 – On a breezy and beautiful Sunday afternoon in Carmel Valley, Corral Wine Company owner Larry Bell proudly showed me around his newly updated new tasting room digs at 19 East Carmel Valley Rd.
Located at what was most recently the Carmel Valley outpost of Albatross Ridge, and prior to that Cima Collina, Corral Wine Company now has beautiful outdoor seating options unlike anywhere else in the Village.
New furniture is tastefully placed to accommodate groups of different sizes, with firepits ready to welcome guests on chillier days. Although reservations are not required, it might be a good idea to reserve for parties of 6 or more, but really, there is plenty of space in that tree-shaded patio, complete with umbrellas. The Bells have also thoughtfully provided blankets for when the fog persists or the wind carries an oceanic reminder of our ancient origins.
The tasting menu here is varied enough to please diverse palates, including the group of Texans who ventured in while I was going through the wine lineup with Larry at the bar. Texas is pretty much planted to reds and white Rhônes that tend to be heavy and wearily devoid of acid. The 2024 Corral Sauvignon Blanc, made of the musqué clone from Zabala Vineyards, was just what they were after.
Bell has known the Zabala’s for decades and prefers to get the fruit really ripe. “We are the last pick from this vineyard,” says Bell. “The Zabala family are excellent growers.”
Done in stainless at really cold temps for an elongated fermentation and left for 8 months on lees in the tank, it has huge Meyer lemon aromatics, and a very textural, fruit-laden profile. The abundance of melon, pineapple, mango and papaya is like a tropical cruise. Bell told me that winemaker Adrian Valenzuela loves white wines and making them. “This is light and bright and crisp and my whole family loves it!” says Bell. It has become their best-selling white.
The 2023 Corral Bell Ranch Estate Rosé of Pinot Noir comes from the Bell’s Pastures of Heaven Vineyard, which refers to John Steinbeck’s novel about this very spot in the Corral de Tierra area. Today, says Bell, that “green as can be” parcel is home to his vineyard where an additional acre has been prepped to plant more Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They currently have clones 115, 667, 777 and Pommard 4. The color is like rose petals and the aromas echo that, with a hint of orange blossom, watermelon and mint.
Bell says the 2022 “Pancho” Monterey County Chardonnay is mostly Zabala fruit as well as some from Kirk Williams’ Highlands Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands. With just 15% new oak, mostly on the SLH fruit, the wine seems to have two streams of fruit that gradually flow together on the palate, creating the sensation of a lime mousse over a green papaya filling on a creamy pastry. “I’m very happy with this wine,” he says.
He’s also pretty happy with the 2022 Highlands Ranch Chardonnay which recently scored 96 points from Jeb Dunnuck. With 33% new oak, there’s a not unexpected scent of butterscotch along with lemon, melon and orange pith on the exciting nose. Super smooth and creamy, the palate delivers loads of vanilla and lemon filled cream puffs, and finishes with praline crisp.
The 2021 Bell Ranch Estate Pinot Noir was harvested on October 9, for long hang time, resulting in aromas of warm cherry pie, spiced cherries with orange peel, and brewed Constant Comment tea for a solid, enjoyable food wine. The 2022 will be released in time for Thanksgiving.
The 2022 Corral Wine Company KW Pinot Noir, 93 points (Jeb Dunnuck), is my personal favorite, with its aromas of cedar, sweet cinnamon, nutmeg and lovely pomegranate and cherry. The sandalwood perfume lingers in the background.
About to release in July is the 2022 Canyon Springs Pinot Noir, from a vineyard that used to be called Pavo Real. This wine reflects the warmth of the vintage with its ripe baked fig and flavors reminiscent of date nut bars. It’s chewy and satisfying, and Dunnuck gave it 94 pts.
Bell was excited to share the 2021 Armory Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Adelaida District on the west side of Paso near Halter Ranch. It’s quite generous in both nose and palate, with very ripe dark red cherry, dark chocolate, anise and tobacco. He added a little Petite Sirah to juice it up.
We finished, as one should, with the 2021 Corral Petite Sirah from the Adelaida District as well. They used to source from the east side of Paso, but switched to the westside for this vintage. Texturally, it’s amazing, with fairly soft melty tannins, and some generously ripe black fruit with a touch of herbs, perhaps green Hatch chiles, and the sensation of ginger cookie on the finish. This might be pretty amazing with chile verde enchiladas and dark chocolate mole.
Speaking of food, Bell says he is working on a small bites menu to accompany the flight of wines. When and what is up to his daughter Alissa, who happens to own Stationaery in Carmel with her husband Anthony Carnazzo.
The new Corral Wine Co. tasting room is open Sunday through Saturday, from noon to 5pm, except for Friday and Saturday, when they close at 6ish pm.
Corral Wine Co. | 19 E. Carmel Valley Rd. Carmel Valley | corralwine.com
About the author
Laura Ness is a longtime wine journalist, columnist and judge who contributes regularly to Edible Monterey Bay, Spirited, WineOh.Tv, Los Gatos Magazine and Wine Industry Network, and a variety of consumer publications. Her passion is telling stories about the intriguing characters who inhabit the fascinating world of wine and food.
