The Grapevine Express
Nicole Estabrooks, MBFT Tour Leader
Monterey County hosts a large variety of vineyards, wineries and tasting rooms that attract wine lovers from all over. The Monterey Salinas Transit (MST) offers bus line 24, nicknamed the Grapevine Express, that follows a delightful route to your favorite tasting rooms! The Grapevine Express is a simple, cost effective way to visit all of the unique wineries in Carmel Valley and Carmel-by-the-Sea. We were able to try out the Grapevine Express and spent a lovely afternoon wine tasting at three incredible tasting rooms in Carmel-by-the-Sea!
All the information regarding the Grapevine Express’ schedule and route can be found here. This document features year round time schedules, including holidays, as well as a complete list of all the wineries you are able to visit! With COVID-19 precautions in mind, the bus will only carry five people at one time and face masks must be worn at all times.
Blair Estate
The Blair family has been making artisanal wines from Arroyo Seco for five generations! We tried a large variety of white wines and Pinot Noirs that have aged spectacularly in the past few years. The passion for the terroir shines through their wine, the Blair Estate website provides in depth details and history of their vineyards. Or if you’re lucky enough to bump into owner Jeffrey Blair, you will receive fascinating information first hand. All of the wines on our tasting flight have their grapes sourced from Delfina’s Vineyard, named after Jeffrey’s grandmother. With the exception of the 2015 Morgantini Pinot Noir, the Morgantini Estate is only 10 miles away from Delfina’s Vineyards but thrives in its own interesting micro climate!
2018 Pinot Noir Rose
2017 Chardonnay
2016 Pinot Gris
2016 Chardonnay
2015 Morgantini Pinot Noir
2015 Delfina’s Pinot Noir
2015 Reserve Barrel Pinot Noir
Dawn’s Dream Winery
Dawn’s Dream is the perfect atmosphere to enjoy delicious wine and support a myriad of good causes! Started by Dawn Galante back in 2012, Dawn’s Dream is a winery committed to more than just good wine. A percentage of each profit is donated to support local and global non-profit organizations! Organizations include Rising International, Voices for Children of Monterey County, Boys and Girls Club and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Another unique aspect of the wine selection are the Pinot Noirs, named after each of Dawn’s daughters (I definitely took a bottle of “Nicole” Pinot Noir home with me). Stick around for the “Eliza Jane” Reserve Barrel Pinot Noir, named after her granddaughter!
2018 Chardonnay
2019 Pinot Noir Rose (consistently award winning!)
2018 “Rachel” Pinot Noir
2018 “Alyssa” Pinot Noir
2018 “Eliza Jane” Reserve Barrel Pinot Noir
Scheid Vineyards
Our last tasting took place at Scheid Vineyards tasting room. Some of our previous Old Monterey Food Tour participants may recognize the name from a visit to Paluca Trattoria, where we sample a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc on Sal’s gorgeous patio! Al Scheid began his journey in the wine industry in 1972 by initially supplying grapes for other wineries, Scheid now consists of 12 estate vineyards in the Salinas Valley. The wines we sampled offered a large variety of interesting grapes, with a bonus pour of their “Isabelle” Sparkling Wine. Named after Al’s mother, these grapes come from their smallest vineyard of just 2 ½ acres, Isabelle’s Vineyard.
2018 Gruner Veltliner
2019 Pinot Noir Rose
2017 Merlot
2016 Touriga Nacional
2014 Reserve Barrel Claret
All three of these wineries have stories and backgrounds just as unique as the wines themselves! We highly recommend exploring more of the tasting rooms on the list, remembering to start earlier in the afternoon, as many of the tasting rooms are known to close in the early evening. Only $2.50 for a bus ticket, wine tasting becomes incredibly accessible to wine lovers everywhere! There is far more to discover, taste and enjoy through the Grapevine Express!