The Best Food and Wine Pairings for Monterey Wines

Wine and food are better together—and nowhere is that more true than with Monterey County wines. From vibrant Chardonnays to silky Pinot Noirs, our wines shine when paired with the right dish. If you’re looking for the best wine and food pairings, we’ve got you covered.

Chardonnay Pairings
Monterey Chardonnay’s crisp acidity and notes of citrus and apple pair beautifully with seafood, roasted chicken, or creamy pasta dishes. Try it with local Dungeness crab for a true coastal experience.

Pinot Noir Pairings
Our Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir balances red fruit and earthy spice, making it a perfect match for roasted duck, mushroom risotto, or herb-marinated salmon.

Rosé Pairings
Bright and refreshing, Rosé pairs wonderfully with summer salads, goat cheese, or charcuterie boards. It’s the ultimate picnic wine.

Red Blends or Cuvées
Heavier blends pair well with grilled meats, barbecue, or rich cheeses—perfect for summer gatherings.

Want to explore the best food and wine pairings in Monterey? Book a tasting at Cypress Grove Winery and discover your perfect match.

Fall Wine Favorites: What We’re Pouring This Season

Crisp air, cozy evenings, and vibrant leaves—fall is the season for wines that warm the soul. At Cypress Grove Winery, we’ve curated our favorite fall pours that pair perfectly with the season.

Fall Whites: Chardonnay with Layers
Our Monterey Chardonnay shines in autumn, with crisp apple, pear, and a hint of warm spice that pairs beautifully with roasted poultry or butternut squash.

Fall Reds: Pinot Noir at Its Best
Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir brings notes of cherry, cranberry, and earthy spice—ideal for fall dinners or sipping fireside.

Special Seasonal Pours
As the weather cools, we also showcase our favorites including our 2020 Manzoni Cuvée Louie Bordeaux Blend in the tasting room—perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting.

Celebrate the season with us. Visit our Carmel tasting room or shop our Fall Wine Flight online to experience Monterey’s best wines for autumn.

The Journey of a Grape: From Vine to Bottle in Monterey County

September in Monterey County means one thing: harvest season. But how exactly does a grape make its journey from vineyard to the wine in your glass?

Step 1: Growing Season
Our grapes begin their journey in the cool-climate vineyards of the Santa Lucia Highlands, nurtured by foggy mornings and sunny afternoons that give them balance and complexity.

Step 2: Harvest
Once the grapes reach perfect ripeness, they’re hand-picked during the cool early mornings of fall. Harvest is both exhilarating and exhausting—but it’s where the year’s work comes together.

Step 3: Winemaking
After picking, grapes are crushed, fermented, and carefully aged. Chardonnay develops bright acidity and minerality, while Pinot Noir slowly evolves into a silky, layered wine.

Step 4: From Barrel to Bottle
Months (sometimes years) later, the wine is bottled and ready to be enjoyed—each sip carrying the journey of a grape, the care of our winemakers, and the essence of Monterey.

Experience harvest season firsthand. Visit Cypress Grove Winery this fall and taste Monterey’s journey from vine to bottle.