Chalone Vineyard

Chalone Vineyard is an historic property founded by Dick Graff who made many benchmark Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from this remote location perched at 1,800 feet above the Salinas Valley in the Gavilan Mountain Range. Like Josh Jensen at Calera, Graff sought out a site that had limestone-based soils. His first vintage under the Chalone Vineyard label was in 1966. Today, Chalone Vineyard Estate is the oldest producing vineyard in Monterey County. The vineyard's name is from an indigenous Costanoan Native American tribe, the Chalone, or Chollen. For the full story on Chalone Vineyard, consult the book, Chalone: A Journey on the Wine Frontier, written by Gregory S. Walter and W. Phillip Woodward.

As a shareholder of Chalone Vineyard stock during the 1980s and 1990s, I enjoyed many marvelous Reserve Pinot Noirs from this source. The annual shareholder's parties were legendary.

In 1998 an extensive renovation of the vineyard was undertaken. Today there are almost 1,000 acres, of which 310 acres are planted to vines. It is the only winery in the Chalone appellation.

Robert Cook joined Chalone in 2007 as senior winemaker. He crafts an estate Pinot Noir from the Chalone Vineyard as well as a second bottling sourced from other Monterey vineyards. A Heritage Pinot Noir is only sold in the tasting room.

Tasting is by appointment only during the week; the tasting room is open Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call for directions if you plan to visit at 831-678-2742. Picnic area is available.