38 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 21-27, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com CHILL A Taste of Monterey is not necessarily hidden, perched as it is overlooking the bay on busy Cannery Row. But for those interested in Monterey County’s smaller labels, it is quite a gem. The 2025 Pinot Gris from Carys and the 2023 Reflection Ridge Sauvignon Blanc are both produced through Scheid Family Wines’ private label program, two of 15 wineries they assist in bringing grapes to the bottle. The latter presents a confounding aromatic swirl—impressions of stonefruits, whole melons, sharp gooseberry and green apple greet your nose, leading expectations toward something brisk and naturally sweet on the palate. Yet a sip reveals a drier wine with a purposeful acidity. Bright tropical fruit zips through more placid notions of apple crisp and parched herbs. Meanwhile, the Pinot Gris from Carys is a more gentle offering, with soft wisps of pear, peach and orange blossom drifting from the glass. This cozy sensation of fruit drapes the palate, landing with a trace of bittersweet zest. It’s a light wine, but with a foundation of minerality that lends depth. Both bottles are ready for the summer months—if and when they come. It’s easy in Monterey County to tour the tasting rooms to explore wines. As both Scheid’s partnerships and A Taste of Monterey’s shelves suggest, however, there are many labels without such homes that can also be worth seeking out. A Taste of Monterey, 700 Cannery Row, Monterey. (831) 646-5446, atasteofmonterey.com. Hide Out Carys and Reflection Ridge are two small label wines that can be found in one place. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink 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 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 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 Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’25 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates ’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, $59, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 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 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 Daily 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS 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 Tracking Blue Whales Through Sound Dr. John Ryan, Senior Research Specialist MBARI, is a biological oceanographer who studies the ocean soundscape. His research helps uncover how whales communicate, forage, and respond to environmental stressors. Have you ever wondered what the largest whale on the planet sounds like? FREE TALK • OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Thursday, May 28 Doors open 6:30pm • Presentation 7pm Hopkins Marine Station, Boatworks Auditorium 120 Oceanview Blvd, Pacific Grove www.acsmb.org • 831-214-1016 Photo credit: Blue Whales Blue Skies
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==