40 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 2-8, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com CHILL Like any other wine, Chardonnay is subject to its particular terroir. More than many others, however, it also follows the winemaker’s lead. Treat Chardonnay to a quick dip in stainless steel and a bracing wine emerges. Allow it to rest in oak, and the result can be rich and buttery. Between ends of the spectrum, there is the 2024 Chardonnay from Cowgirl Winery. Aged in French oak, it gains enough opulence to temper sharp edges. Yet it loses none of the lean, ripe fruits of a light and refreshing style. It teases the nose, whispering of bright, tropical fruits while at the same time dangling notions of apple pie and lemon curd. This duplicitous introduction unfolds on the palate as an intricate, mannered and delicately balanced wine. There is a lot to contemplate, but ripe apples—both yellow and green, genteel and animated—are forefront throughout, yielding only on the lingering finish to the brisk expression of lemon. Still, time in oak gives the Cowgirl Chardonnay a mellow temperament. There is an impression of French pastries and sliced almonds—toasty and nutty, with just a trace of vanilla. But it remains buoyant and fruity. There is none of the plump, buttery weight of the big California Chardonnays. When grapes were harvested, the 2024 vintage promised spellbinding wines. The Chardonnay from Cowgirl is a white wine that fans of reds can fully appreciate. Cowgirl Winery, 4 Pilot Road, Carmel Valley. (831) 298-7030, cowgirlwinery.com. Get Even Cowgirl Winery gives us the best of both Chardonnay worlds with its 2024 vintage. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Saturday & Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’24 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’24 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari Wood Fired Pizzas, Burgers, Pasta, salads, sandWiches and more 11:30am mon-Fri, 10am Sat & Sun melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 haPPY hour Food & drinK sPecials Sun-Thurs 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 Best Pizza ’98-’24 Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 ’24 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $49, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. 763 Wave St., Monterey 831.373.3778 thewhalingstation.com ’24 Best Steak 146 12TH STREET • PACIFIC GROVE ALASDAIR FRASER AND NATALIE HAAS Scotland’s consummate fiddler, Alasdair Fraser, and talented Californian cellist Natalie Haas revive the Scottish tradition of playing dance music on violin and cello. SUNDAY OCT. 12•3PM Doors Open at 2:30pm AdvAnce tickets AvAilAble At www.celticsociety.org $30 Adv/$35 door kids $12 Adv/ $15 door buy AdvAnce tickets At www.celticsociety.org For more info call or text 831-224-3819 news talk insight a community service of CSU Monterey Bay
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