44 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY DECEMBER 25-31, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com CHILL Spring rains soaked Denis Hoey’s estate vineyard along River Road. The viognier grapes did not appreciate such treatment. Even waiting out the harvest season didn’t help, as the fruit stubbornly refused to fully ripen. But as the saying goes, when nature hands you a problem, you make the best of it. Hoey’s solution is the recently released 2023 Sparkling Viognier under Odonata winery’s Cote du Denis label, and it’s a marvel of inspired improvisation. On the nose it greets you pleasantly with impressions of peach and citrus, as well as hints of sea breeze and white pepper. Tip the glass and your palate is rewarded with glistening fruits—bright, fresh peach playing over a more tempered tangerine. Beneath this are genteel floral notes and a grounded minerality. The bubbles are almost pillowy soft. “It’s a little richer than some,” Hoey says. He points out that with such a long maturation on the vine, creating a sparkler instead of the still wine he had originally planned was the best option, and one would have to agree. It’s a brisk and intriguing wine that is also merry, suited to a celebratory season. Hoey relied on tradition—methode champenoise and the tedium of riddling, demanding the same patience as he showed during harvest. Hoey opted for a low dosage, just a gram of added sugar per liter making for a virtually natural wine. Not bad for a first-ever estate sparkling Viognier. Odonata, 645 River Road, Salinas. (831) 5665147, odonatawines.com. Bubble Up A sparkling Viognier under Odonata’s Cote du Denis label is ready for a fun occasion. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES THIN CRUST PIZZA SALADS & CALZONES TAKE-OUT TODAY SOURDOUGH PIZZA SEASIDE’S FINEST 720 BROADWAY AVE. SEASIDE PASTA & SUBS BEER ON TAP DESSERTS EAST COAST PIZZAS NY style, thin crust w/ butter & garlic. 14” has 6 slices. 18” has 8 slices. WEST COAST PIZZAS SF sourdough crust w/ garlic olive oil. 14” has 6 slices. 18” has 8 slices. STUFFED CALZONES Made from pizza dough, stuffed w/pizza sauce, garlic, mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of basil. (Onions upon request). 831-899-1762 DELIVERY AVAILABLE DINE-IN TOO INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink ’25 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! 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. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com ’25 Best Steak 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 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 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25 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 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’25 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari 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 ’25 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
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