Caraccioli Cellars — Attraction in Carmel-by-the-Sea

This once-loved Winery is losing its luster.

As a current member and years-long consumer, I have been disappointed with the wine and experience at Caraccioli. The Pinots, even El Beq lack the finesse of much cooler climate Pinot found in the Willamette and Burgundy. You get the predicable bright notes of red cherry, and strawberry, but not much complexity after that. Salinas is just too hot for Pinot. The sparkling wines also tend to be a bit lazy. An over-reliance on lees is very present. It tends to mask the varietal characteristics and seems desperate to make a correlation to low-quality champagnes like Vueve Cliquot.

All of this would be fine at $30, but the ever-increasing pricing makes it a harder and harder sell. Being in downtown Carmel I’m sure helps, as many of the patrons are desensitized to over—priced goods, a...

Walking around town and passing by this beautiful wine tasting place, that is vary inviting. The case is, and we did the wine tasting and what an amazing wine this place offers. Unfortunately for the people that don't live here live here because you can't buy it anywhere else but here and in Michelin Star place restaurant in California. However, if you do come here and become a member, then they will ship it out to your house twice a year. Grapes are fully grown in their farm in Carmel and ot...

Fun venue, right off one of the central streets in downtown Carmel. Have outdoor seating options, some with heaters. Great staff, eager to help and answer your questions.

More importantly, this was one of the most fun wine tastings I've done in a long time. At the time of writing this, you can do a flight of 5 very different wines for $30 - each one unique, ranging from sparkling wines, and whites to reds.

If you have an hour, well worth the stop! Best to reserve a...