Encountering dramatic climate changes and sweeping ocean breeze, Chalone Vineyard tops the Gavilan plateau on Chalone Peak’s North Slope of the Gavilan Mountain Range. Monterey County’s oldest winery, Chalone, is a historic winery that played a pivotal role in the 1976 judgment of Paris, ranking #3, besting some of Burgundy and California’s top producers. Chalone ranked #1 two years later at the re-creation of the Paris tasting in San Francisco. Their Pinot Noir is made in a clean, focused, and linear style, matching power with balance, with everything in the right place. 

 

Rich in limestone, decomposed granite, and clay, Chalone Vineyard’s significant levels of calcareous rock contribute to the wine’s intensity, powerfully reflecting the vineyard’s unique terroir. It’s so special that Chalone was granted appellation status in 1982 and remains the only winery in the Chalone appellation. 

 

Chalone’s sizeable diurnal temperature swings encourage fully developed and expressive flavors while maintaining healthy natural acidy, resulting in an outstanding freshness and producing age-worthy Pinot Noirs of remarkable quality.

 

Retails at: $40