2023 · Monterey Chardonnay

Carmel Road is based in Monterey County, California, where its estate vineyards are sustainably farmed and shaped by cool maritime conditions from Monterey Bay. Foggy nights, coastal winds and well-drained, varied soils help preserve acidity and build intensity in the fruit. The winery’s first vintage was released in 1999, and its name refers to a road linking Carmel-by-the-Sea with the inland Arroyo Seco and Santa Lucia Hills. Its wines focus on Monterey Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, alongside Sauvignon Blanc and limited Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from selected California vineyards. Winemaker Kris Kato uses hands-on, site-specific harvesting, classic Burgundian techniques, open-top fermentation, cultured and wild yeasts, and French oak aging to craft the wines.