Wine grapes were first introduced in Monterey County well over 200 years ago by the Franciscan Friars at the Spanish Mission in the town of Soledad, in southern Monterey County. They discovered early that the cool evenings and afternoon heat was the ideal climate for developing the intense fruit flavor winemakers covet. Although, no trace remains today of what became more than 40,000 acres planted in vineyards.

Monterey County Wine Today: 

Monterey County became an AVA in 1984, and since then has become a well-known cool-climate viticultural area of California. The wide array of terroir means that a diverse range of wines are produced in the region, most notably from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Although there are smaller plantings of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Zinfandel and Rhone varieties.

The AVAs in Monterey County can be put into three groups: the Santa Lucia Mountains, the Salinas Valley, and the inland Galiban range.

Overall, Monterey County is home to some truly special terroir that produces wines that are worth your time to get to know. 

We spend the rest of this episode getting some more indepth knowledge about this large wine region, taking a spotlight on one of their wineries and traveling to an ancient wine site in Italy that has ties back Monterey County as well. 

Grab a glass of your favorites and join us!