11 Best Wineries in Carmel Valley

“This modern farmhouse tasting room in Carmel Valley has the cutest hidden garden patio. One of the best kept secrets for wine tasting in Monterey. The whites, roses, and Santa Lucia Highlands pinots are delicious. They also now serve food — charcuterie boxes from Carmel Valley Creamery. There’s lounge seating, some bistro tables with beautiful views, fire pits and it’s a dog friendly Monterey winery. There’s also a kids play area in the corner.“

“Lepe Cellars was the highlight of our day of wine tasting. It’s a small bar tucked into a shared space with an art gallery, which adds a unique and relaxing vibe. You’re welcome to wander and enjoy the art between pours. The woman who helped us with our tasting was incredibly kind, friendly, and attentive. Her warm energy and genuine conversation made this stop stand out above all the other tasting rooms we visited. Great wine and even better hospitality.“

“Rombi Wines is a red wine lover’s dream. The cabernet was my personal favorite—rich, smooth, and everything you'd want in a glass. Sal will take great care of you, and if you get the chance, ask him about the history of his vineyard. The stories are just as good as the wine (well, almost). Don’t miss this spot if you’re anywhere near Carmel Valley.“

“We visited Big Sur Vineyards this weekend one of the best Pinot in the area!“

“A newish tasting room space for one of Santa Lucia Highlands pioneer grape growing families. Kristen McIntyre, daughter of the founder, runs the tasting room and has created a very lovely patio space for outdoor wine tasting in Carmel Valley. The umbrellas, pergola and oak tree offer nice shade. They are very dog friendly, and the wines are delicious. There’s plenty variety of Monterey wines to explore, from Chardonnay and rose to Pinot Noir and more. They also sell tasty charcuterie boxes.“

“After a very disappointing experience at another winery nearby, Pelio Estate Wines completely saved our Mother’s Day.

From the very beginning, everything felt warm and welcoming. The hostess greeted us immediately with a complimentary splash of rosé and walked us to our table right away (no waiting, no confusion, just genuine hospitality).

Within minutes, our server came over and kindly offered us a few wines to try before ordering, which felt like a lovely mini tasting experience. We ended up ordering the Big Basket snacks, a bottle of Chardonnay for the table, drinks for the kids, and of course took a sparkling wine home with us as well.

A small detail I especially appreciated: the wine box is simple cardboard without oversized branding or wasteful packaging - practical, elegant, and actually reusable.

The atmosphere here is absolutely wonderful: a beautiful courtyard, soft music, charming decorations hanging in the trees, a cute swing, and some of the most gorgeous blooming bushes and landscaping we’ve seen at a winery. The entire place feels so thoughtfully maintained, peaceful, and inviting.

We spent a couple of hours there without even wanting to go anywhere else afterward. We took so many photos and already know we’ll definitely be back. Thank you, Holden, and the whole team for turning our day around.“

“We decided to go through Carmel Valley and stop for some wine tasting since the Pacific Coast Highway was closed due to a landslide.

Highly recommended. The area is full of wineries and tasting rooms and the views of the valley are incredible. We stopped at Cowgirl Winery and got 2 sets of wine tasting flights. It was a great chance to learn more about Californian wine.

The place was beautiful, you can have your wine in this amazing garden.“

“Georgia Winery…beautiful setting, surrounded by the warmth and romance of California. The Sauvignon Blanc was excellent and the best pizza assortment was elegantly served! I will order a case of wine to be shipped to my home!“

“Our favorite Hotel to stay in Carmel. It’s a little piece of heaven with stunning views and beautiful rooms. Customer Service is top notch.“

“What a beautiful setting and fantastic wines! It’s a great place to relax with a glass or bottle in the CV sun 🌞. The owners and employees are terrific and so is the music they pipe all over the property. Don’t miss this gem of a tasting room. Cheers!“