10 Must-Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea Wineries

For wine lovers ready to explore California’s Central Coast, Carmel-by-the-Sea is the ultimate destination to discover what Monterey’s wine regions are all about. Not only is this idyllic seaside village home to delightful dining, galleries, and shops, but it’s also where numerous prominent wineries have conveniently located tasting rooms. 

What Makes Carmel-by-the-Sea an Ultimate Destination for Wine Lovers

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a dream destination for wine enthusiasts with an ideal combination of exceptional wines, coastal beauty, and walkability. Thanks to the cool maritime influence of Monterey Bay, the region produces celebrated Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rhône-inspired wines known for their bright acidity and complexity. Unlike sprawling wine regions like Napa or Sonoma, Carmel-by-the-Sea’s boutique tasting rooms are all within walking distance, making it easy to explore without a car. With its enchanting streets and quirky lack of traditional street addresses, the village offers a truly one-of-a-kind wine tasting experience. If you’re longing for a wine country getaway, consider a weekend escape to the village and add these top Carmel-by-the-Sea wineries to your itinerary.

Morgan Winery

For over four decades, Morgan Winery has been one of the most respected names in the Santa Lucia Highlands — and Taste Morgan is where that reputation pours by the glass.

Founded in 1982 by Dan Morgan Lee, Morgan is a family-owned winery with deep roots in Monterey County’s most celebrated appellation. Our Double L Vineyard is the only certified organic estate vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah that consistently earn 90+ point ratings from Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, and Tasting Panel Magazine. These aren’t just critically acclaimed wines — they’re wines with a genuine sense of place, shaped by the cool Pacific winds, dramatic temperature swings, and well-drained hillside soils that define the Highlands.

For those who don’t mind venturing just outside of the village, Taste Morgan at the Crossroads is well worth the quick drive. Guests can explore the full portfolio by tasting flight, glass, or bottle — either in our cozy indoor tasting room or on our heated, dog-friendly patio. Our team pours daily and brings real knowledge and warmth to every visit, whether you’re discovering Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir for the first time or returning to revisit a favorite.

Caraccioli Cellars

Photo Credit: Caraccioli Cellars Instagram

Caraccioli Cellars is a family-run winery known for its meticulously crafted sparkling wines, all sourced from their estate Escolle Vineyard in Santa Lucia Highlands. Since its founding in 2006, the Caraccioli family has been committed to producing elegant, terroir-driven wines with a special focus on their flagship Brut Cuvée and Brut Rosé. Their sleek, contemporary Carmel-by-the-Sea tasting room provides an intimate setting to explore multiple vintages, allowing visitors to experience the distinct character of each wine. 

Designed by Si Teller, the space blends modern sophistication with Carmel’s small-town charm, featuring a stunning Perota wood bar and ambient lighting that enhances the cellar-like atmosphere. Located on Dolores Street between Ocean and 7th, this inviting tasting room is open daily, making it a must-visit for those looking to savor some of the Central Coast’s finest sparkling wines. Don’t miss their Pinot Noir, too! Reservations are recommended to enjoy this exclusive tasting experience. 

De Tierra Vineyards

Photo Credit: De Tierra Vineyards

A favorite Carmel-by-the-Sea winery among locals, De Tierra Vineyards is known for its award-winning, sustainably crafted wines that showcase the rich terroir of Monterey County. Founded in 1998 by agricultural professional Tom Russell originally as an organic grape-growing operation, De Tierra continues to honor its roots now as a family-owned winery by producing hand-harvested, small-lot wines. Their diverse portfolio encompasses Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, and more, all sourced from high-quality vineyards like the historic Russell Vineyard in Corral de Tierra—an area famously described by John Steinbeck as “the pastures of heaven.”

Besides the exceptional wines, De Tierra’s tasting room is just a short stroll from Ocean Avenue and provides a welcoming experience complete with locally sourced small bites, plus live music on Sundays from 3-5pm. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, this dog-friendly spot is the perfect place to unwind and savor the vibrant Carmel atmosphere. 

Galante Vineyards

Photo Credit: Galante Vineyards Instagram

With deep roots in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Galante Vineyards continues a pioneering legacy of bold craftsmanship. Owner Jack Galante descends from James Frank Devendorf, the visionary who founded Carmel-by-the-Sea in 1900. In 1969, the Galantes established a 700-acre cattle ranch in Carmel Valley, and they planted their first vineyards by 1983 focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon. Jack later built his winery 1994, producing ultra-premium wines that rose to acclaim thanks to their bold, full-bodied character. 

In 2004, he embraced his family’s pioneering spirit yet again by opening the first wine tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea, setting the stage for the town’s rise to a premier wine destination. Today, Galante continues to produce richly expressive wines sourced from top vineyards throughout California, particularly in the Carmel Valley appellation where extreme temperature swings and extended growing seasons result in deeply concentrated, complex flavors. With a commitment to sustainable farming, low yields, and meticulous vineyard management, every bottle of Galante wine reflects a rugged Western ethos and dedication to excellence—a true taste of Monterey’s frontier legacy. 

Lepe Cellars

Photo Credit: Lepe Cellars Instagram

Miguel Lepe’s namesake Lepe Cellars is a testament to passion, sustainability, and the artistry of winemaking. A California Polytechnic State University – SLO graduate, Miguel honed his craft at renowned wineries across California’s Central Coast and South America before launching his own label to highlight the exceptional terroir of Monterey County. At Lepe Cellars, winemaking begins in the vineyard, where a low-intervention, sustainable approach ensures the land is farmed in a way that ultimately respects its natural biodiversity. Grapes are hand-harvested from organically farmed vineyards and fermentation relies solely on native yeasts originating from the vineyards and cellar. Lepe wines are aged in French oak barrels and are never fined, nor are any additives used. As such, these wines are organic, vegan, and sustainable. Their Carmel-by-the-Sea winery location serves as both a tasting room and art gallery in one, combining the two loves of this seaside village. 

Dawn’s Dream Winery

Founded in 2011 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Dawn Galante, Dawn’s Dream Winery brings a distinctly purpose-driven spirit to Carmel-by-the-Sea’s tasting scene. Guided by the philosophy to “Dare to Dream,” Dawn crafts approachable, elegantly made wines while channeling a meaningful portion of proceeds toward causes supporting women, children, and animals — making every bottle feel like it’s part of something larger.

The portfolio centers on coastal Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rosé sourced from premier vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands and Monterey County, with additional expressions of Riesling, Sangiovese, and Zinfandel that reflect Dawn’s curiosity for discovery beyond the expected. The result is a diverse, food-friendly lineup that has something for nearly every palate.

The tasting room, located at the northwest corner of 7th and San Carlos, is open seven days a week and offers one of the more welcoming atmospheres in the village — unhurried, personal, and genuinely connected to the story behind each wine. If you’re drawn to wineries with both quality and heart, Dawn’s Dream belongs on your Carmel itinerary.

Wrath Wines

Photo Credit: Wrath Wines Instagram

Inspired by the raw power of nature and the relentless passion of artistry, Wrath Wines embodies a fearless approach to winemaking. Drawing from their estate San Saba Vineyard and other premier sites across the Santa Lucia Highlands, Wrath produces site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc that reflect the wild intensity of their surroundings. Vineyards on their 72-acre estate benefit from the cool Pacific fog, fierce afternoon winds, and well-drained gravelly soils, all of which enable a long growing season yielding wines of remarkable depth and balance. 

Committed to sustainability, Wrath follows SIP-certified farming practices to preserve the local ecosystem and enhance the authenticity of their wines. Sourcing from esteemed vineyards, such as McIntyre, KW Ranch, Tondré Grapefield, Alta Loma, and Boekenoogen, Wrath crafts wines reflective of both single-site character and clonal precision. At their Carmel-by-the-Sea tasting room, guests can belly up to their long bar or sit outside to taste all of their Santa Lucia Highlands single vineyard wines.

Scheid Vineyards

Photo Credit: Scheid Vineyards Instagram

Al Scheid’s journey into wine wasn’t driven by a grand vision of building a family winery–it was an unexpected adventure sparked by his entrepreneurial spirit and a bit of luck. Originally established as Monterey Farming Corporation, his venture was structured as a tax shelter investment, but it quickly evolved into a long-term commitment to viticulture. 

Since their start in 1972, they’ve acted on the belief that growing the highest quality grapes and crafting the best wines possible can only be achieved through taking care of the land and their team who are its stewards. Their commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and equitable treatment of employees is woven into the fabric of Scheid Family Wines. They’ve earned several third-party certifications reflecting as much, including the California Green Medal Environment award presented by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers, and the Vineyard Team.

Today, the winery owns 12 estate vineyards along the Salinas Valley, producing wines that showcase the region’s diversity in a varied portfolio, from elegant Pinot Noir to crisp Sauvignon Blanc and more. Visitors can experience these wines at the Scheid Vineyards Tasting Room in Carmel-by-the-Sea where two curated flights are offered daily in a warm and inviting setting just steps from Ocean Avenue.

Albatross Ridge

Photo credit: Albatross Ridge Instagram

Perched atop a rolling ridge in Carmel Valley, just seven miles from the Pacific Ocean, Albatross Ridge is dedicated to crafting refined, cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With 25 acres of vineyards planted at 1,250 feet elevation, the winery embraces the extreme coastal influences that shape its wines, yielding vibrant acidity, layered complexity, and a true sense of place. 

Visitors can experience these exceptional wines at the chic, stone-lined tasting room in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea. Amidst fine dining restaurants, boutique hotels, and stylish shops, this elegant space provides a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere to enjoy a curated tasting. Guests can complement their tasting with limited charcuterie and a snack menu designed to pair perfectly with Albatross Ridge’s award-winning wines. 

Silvestri Vineyards

Photo Credit: Silvestri Vineyards Instagram

Silvestri Vineyards is a testament to the Silvestri family’s deep-rooted passion for wine, a journey that began in Italy and found its home in the rolling hills of Carmel Valley. Hollywood composer Alan Silvestri returns to his roots with wine made in the style of his grandparents, honoring a legacy of craftsmanship and tradition. Nestled 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the estate benefits from the valley’s trademark terroir where cooling coastal breezes meet warm inland mountain air, creating dramatic shifts that shape the character of its wines. 

The vineyard’s rocky soils, composed of soft shale known as “chalk rock,” provide the perfect foundation for growing cool-climate varieties like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris. Every block is carefully cultivated using a mix of clones, selected to enhance complexity and create expressive wines. Guests can relish in the mastery of Silvestri Vineyards at its beautifully appointed tasting room in Carmel-by-the-Sea. 

Plan Your Trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea

These Carmel-by-the-Sea wineries deliver a truly captivating experience for wine enthusiasts. From the historic Chalone Vineyards to the artistry of Wrath Wines, each winery produces an original taste of California Central Coast’s renowned terroir. Whether you’re sipping on a glass of cool climate Pinot Noir or discovering new wine varieties, this idyllic village provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing and memorable getaway. For those looking to extend their stay, be sure to check out our guides on the Top Boutique Hotels in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Top Dog-Friendly Hotels in Carmel-by-the-Sea to make your visit even more enjoyable.