Hi guys,

My trip to Carmel/ SF is two weeks ago and so far you've all been very helpful - thank you! I have one final decision to make that I keep going back and forth on... wine tasting. We are not going to Napa/Sonoma so this is our one shot for a real authentic experience. The way I see it, we have two options and I would love your input.

Monterey Wine Trolley tour - this seems very authentic to me and would involve going to several different wineries and seeing the vineyards and grapes (even from a far). The views are probably spectacular an unlike anything we see in New England. The downfall is the tour is from 11 - 4 so that takes up essentially the whole day for other touristy things. (If we did this, we wouldnt have time for the Aquarium) Its kinda expensive at 225 per couple but does involve lunch, a bottle of wine, wine glasses and tastings from 5 different vineyards. I'm less concerned about the price if the experience is good: http://www.toursmonterey.com/WTPages/WTHome.html

The Wine Walk Passport - this one you can do on your own time and is less expensive, however you do not go to vineyards - just tasting rooms. Doing this would allow us to also go to the Aquarium in the morning but we wouldnt get as good of views or the same experience on the trolley. http://www.carmelcalifornia.org/thin..._passport.aspx

Anyone have any recommendations? Anyone done either of these? They both get good YELP reviews so I guess it's a matter of preference but I would love feedback! Thanks!

Do you have a car? You could head over to the Santa Lucia highlands in the morning to see a vineyard and tasting room. Arrange it ahead of time for a tour and tasting. You will see lots of vineyards on the way out. Be back to the aquarium about 2 or 3pm.

These are some acquaintances. They also have a tasting room in Carmel:

http://www.paraisovineyards.com/inde...epage.showpage


http://www.montereywines.org

Thanks Michelle - we will have a car. That is definitely a possibility!

With a car I would drive up the Carmel Valley, and go to Bernardus, Georgis,Boekenoogen and my favorite Talbott.

We loved Bernardus!

I think you've summed up the differences already. The Wine Walk is basically a DIY circuit of tasting rooms. You're just getting a discount on the tasting fees. The advantage is you can spread it out into multiple days. De Tierra and Shale Canyon are the only ones we haven't tried yet.

If you have a car, you can easily do the Santa Lucia Highlands or Carmel Valley on your own. Carmel Valley is a closer drive (about half an hour vs an hour). You could even do a big loop of both but that would take most of the day.

Just FYI we've been having a tremendous humpback season this year https://www.facebook.com/pages/Monte...70012223096521 They may still be around in 2 weeks.

We live in the area. Drive out Carmel Valley Road. You will find Heller, Talbot, Bernardus and St Julien. All good wines. St Julien will be the first you come to. Very large. Talbot has great outdoor area and collection of owner' s vintage motorcycles. Heller very friendly as is Bernardus. You will see the Bernardus Lodge first. This is not the wine tasting. It is farther down the road on the left.

Cafe Rustica is across from Talbot. Excellent restaurant.