36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 4-10, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com CHILL Gary Franscioni is guided by a general principle when making wine. “We don’t beat it up,” he explains. “We don’t mess with it.” That rule allows the wine to express its Santa Lucia Highlands terroir, which one can sample by comparing a pair of Franscioni’s 2024 Roar Pinot Noirs. The first is from the Sierra Mar Vineyard, a relatively young plot planted in 2007, perched at 1,100 feet in elevation, where the grapes experience warmer days and cool nights. It shows soft fruit on the nose with only whispers of damp soil and minerality. A sip reveals more intense sensations of dark berries, with enough restraint to maintain the varietal’s vaunted poise. Within this are notions of cask vanilla and gentle minerality. Rosella’s Vineyard not only is more established—planted in 1996—it also sits at a lower elevation. The fog that rolls over the region means more time on the vine for grapes to mature, which produces an elegant wine. Aromas of raspberries on the bush and ripe cherries with a floral undertone invite you in. On the palate, this fruit profile proves to be rich and calm, resting over impressions of tropical flowers and the earthiness of mushrooms. While the blend of Pinot clones are slightly different, winemaker Scott Shapley aged both in 100-percent French oak over 10 months. The 2024 from Sierra Mar is available now. Rosella’s will be released in September. But it’s hard to go wrong either way. As Franscioni says, “We make wines we like to drink. Why wouldn’t you?” Roar, (800) 540-7627, roarwines.com. Take Two A pair of Pinot Noirs from Roar winery puts the differences of location on display. By Dave Faries SEND IDEAS TO: chill@montereycountynow.com DAVE FARIES ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • GEAR-000383, GEAR-000376, GEAR-000375 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink 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 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 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 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 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 ’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 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
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