Corralitos-based Windy Oaks Estate Winery is moving its Carmel tasting room into the former Carmel Road space at the corner of Lincoln and Ocean as of August 1. They are currently at Dolores and 6th, across from Cultura comida + bebida.
Says Judy Schultze, “While we enjoyed the four years in the Su Vecino Courtyard, and we always did well there, we feel the new space is in a much better location, more visible and easier to find. Until August 1, we will be open in the courtyard and there will be no interruption in our hours which are as follows: Friday and Saturday, noon to 7 PM and Sunday through Thursday, noon to 6 PM.”
Carmel Road tasting room closed suddenly on June 7. This was a difficult decision and came as the company is trying to determine the best way to continue to grow and share their Monterey wines with consumers across the country. Their wines will still be available online at www.carmelroad.comand through their retail and restaurant partners nationally.
According to their Facebook page: “Winemaker Kris Kato and his team remain fully dedicated to our winemaking facility in Soledad, our estate vineyards, and of course, our Carmel Road wines. We are so thankful to you all who have supported us from the very beginning. We consider our team here to be the heart and soul of our winery, and we can assure you that our commitment to quality winemaking, sustainable farming methods and championing the Monterey AVA will remain steadfast.”
No word on who is going into the Su Vecino Courtyard space yet.
Meantime winetasting in Monterey is starting to take off, with Comanche Cellars expected to open its tasting room at 412 Alvarado St. in mid-July. And word is that Ray Franscioni is also opening a new tasting room in downtown Monterey, at the Portola Hotel promenade, a few doors away from Sovino Wine Bar.
Local Women Winemakers Win Big
Two Monterey County women winemakers scored big at the International Women’s Wine Competition held in Sonoma in June. Winemaker Anna Marie dos Remedios of Idle Hour was thrilled to have her Idle Hour 2016 Cabernet Franc from the Heringer Vineyard in Clarksburg, $28, named Best of Class.
It was featured in the final Sweepstakes, and received 11 votes for Best Red. The winner of Best Red was the 2013 Blagden Pinot Noir from Sangiacomo Vineyard with 16 votes, followed by the 2015 Concannon Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with 12 votes. Anna Marie’s Cab Franc tied for 3rdplace with a very well-crafted 2015 red blend from CK Mondavi.
Scheid winemaker Marta Kraftek brought home Silvers for the following: 2017 Albarino Monterey Estate Grown ($26), 2017 Pinot Noir Rosé Monterey Estate Grown ($22), 2016 Petit Manseng Monterey Estate Grown ($24) and 2016 Dolcetto Monterey Estate Grown ($34). Congratulations!
When asked about her production method, Dos Remedios says she has always been a fan of classic Chinon style Cab Franc, typically done with carbonic maceration. This method employs whole berry fermentation in an oxygen-deprived container, rather than traditionally crushing the red grapes beforehand. Because the skins are not crushed, the harsh tannins are not as evident, and the fermentation is long, slow and at relatively cool temperatures. This preserves the pretty aromatics and delicate flavors of Cabernet Franc that are so highly prized in the Loire Valley, the grape’s original home.
Dos Remedios happened to meet a winemaking couple on her wine cruise to Bordeaux last year and they struck up a quick rapport. They exchanged cards and promised to visit one another. How many times do you do that on a trip or at a wine-infused dinner and nothing ever comes of the exchange? Not this time. The couple contacted her earlier this year saying they wanted to come visit, and visit they did. They convinced her to follow her long-held dream of making wine in France, and so, for harvest 2018, she’s going to The Loire, to fulfill her dream of making her beloved Cabernet Franc grape in Chinon. With sufficient barrels of wine resting in her Idle Hour cellar already, she feels comfortable skipping a vintage here to chase her dream in the beautiful Loire Valley.
Here’s to following your dreams and tasting the sweet success of your labors.
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.
