De Tierra Vineyards of Monterey County

One of the things I love most about living in California is that there are opportunities everywhere to go wine tasting.  All up and down the coast, as well as inland, there are vineyards hiding around every corner, offering different flavors and grapes from various conditions and terrains.  No two taste the same and they change every year.  I love that!  I love that a wine type I might not have enjoyed a few years ago can become a favorite as we both change and age.  For instance, I was not a lover of Pinot Noir in the past.  I can't explain why, but everywhere I went, I couldn't find one I liked.  But something shifted -- possibly my taste in wine, and probably some changes in the world.  Whatever the reason, over the last two years I have enjoyed tasting (and buying) Pinot Noir on a regular basis.  

This last year I have especially enjoyed the tasting rooms located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, and one of my favorites to visit is De Tierra Vineyards, located at the corner of Mission and 5th Avenue.  You can't miss the welcoming entryway into their beautifully decorated tasting room.

To quote their website...

"De Tierra creates delicious, award-winning, and sustainably harvested wines to share from the unique terroir of Monterey County. De Tierra, as our name suggests, focuses on providing the best representation ‘of the land’. Great wines begin in the vineyard, and it is our goal to translate the defining flavors of place into great wine!"

My dear cousin and I share November birthdays (and I won't say who is a year older), so every year we make it a point to enjoy a day together celebrating.  No kids, no distractions -- just the two of us enjoying a day as ourselves.  These last several years have all been spent in Carmel, and most specifically, we've gone tasting at De Tierra Vineyards tasting room at some point each time.  They offer not only delicious wines, but a menu for various charcuterie platters that you can enjoy along the way.

The wine varietals at De Tierra are significant.  Their reds include Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Rhone and Bordeaux style blends, and Zinfandel.  Being a lover of reds, I may have purchased a few bottles of their 2015 Monterey Pinot Noir, which is a favorite.  

Their whites include a Chardonnay, Riesling and Rosé.  They have both red and white wine club options, as well as various club opportunities that include vineyard vacations at one of their rental houses.  Just visit their website to see all of the beautiful options they have.

Throughout the year, De Tierra is wonderful about hosting events, such as movie and trivia nights, Intro to Winemaking classes, and especially various wine club parties.  Check out their calendar of events online to see what might interest you.  I myself have been there when a small group set up a surprise engagement celebration for friends, and it couldn't have been more lovely.

I'll leave you with this -- a picture of my cousin and I, enjoying our wine at the Carmel De Tierra tasting room, which should make you want nothing more than to stop by and chat with any of their amazing staff, who truly know everything about their wines.  I'm always impressed and I always look forward to coming back, again and again.

My visits were not hosted and all opinions are my own.