11 Best Wineries near Monterey

“Took some friends here for a wine tasting, the woman servicing us was so informative even though we knew absolutely nothing about wine. Even taught us some tricks on smelling both ends of the glass! I wish I could get the membership since all the wines were lush“

“Immaculate vibes! We stopped in after Christmas and had the pleasure of being served by Kamani. The Dog and Pony rosé was our wine of choice for the night and Kamani was great about checking in on us and making sure we were enjoying the wine. What a wonderful place to enjoy an evening! We’ll be sure to visit again soon.“

“Love this tasting room! Owners are the sweetest!!“

“Amazing wine, incredible service, and an unbeatable tasting room vibe!

We visited De Tierra Vineyards yesterday in Carmel-by-the-Sea and had such a great experience! From the moment we walked in, the tasting room’s cozy, welcoming atmosphere set the perfect tone. It’s stylish yet relaxed, and such a fun place to discover great wines. De Tierra truly captures the unique terroir of Monterey County displaying beautifully balance with distinct character.

What really made our visit special was the personal attention we received from owner Jeff Meacham and his team. They were incredibly welcoming, took the time to share stories about the vineyard’s history, and guided us through the wines with genuine passion. You can really tell they care about creating memorable experiences for every guest.

If you’re in Carmel and love great wine with exceptional experience, De Tierra Vineyards is a must-visit. We’ll definitely be back!“

“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.“

“The front courtyard is closed for renovations at the moment (Jan 2026) we sat in the back (where they have wedding receptions) and it was really relaxing and lovely. We easily got a table on a Thursday afternoon. We ordered the “White Witch” and some food. Our server was patient and kind. When he left for the day another server checked up on us frequently. It was a really nice overall experience and we left with some wine and olive oil to take home as gifts from their gift shop ❤️“

“My boyfriend and I were looking forward to visiting a winery during our time in Carmel. We stumbled upon Dawn’s Dream while around the Downtown area, and cannot be more pleased with our choice.

Every wine was fantastic and unique. The wine palettes were so diverse and each had a wonderful story. Our host Jimmy was so kind and took such good care of us. What made this place so special was not just their delicious wine but the people behind it.“

“Wonderful customer service and the Zin was wonderful!!! 👍🏻“

“Amazing wines and a tasting room that is the best in Carmel!“

“We stopped into Shale Canyon Wines for a tasting without knowing what to expect, and Elise completely made the experience. My boyfriend doesn’t even like red wine, so when we realized the tasting was all reds, we were honestly hesitant. But Elise made us feel comfortable, excited, and open to trying everything — and now he’s officially converted.

The wines were incredible. We ended up buying multiple bottles of the Zinfandel and Syrah. Elise explained the philosophy of the winery so well — the accessibility, the sustainability, the purpose behind the wines — and it resonated deeply with both of us. She was kind, easy to talk to, and incredibly knowledgeable. A truly memorable tasting, thanks entirely to her.“

“This adorable shop in Carmel by the Sea, had room for our party of 8, a friendly hostess and a lot of history of Silvestri, known for music in many many well known films. Locals stopped in to pickup wine for dinner. They have a reasonable wine club and waived fees if you bought some. Oh, and their Pinot is really good!“