Montañita de Oro highlights the best of Monterey County’s mountain pinot sites. At an average elevation of 1,100 ft in the 2023 vintage, high-toned aromatics and bright fruit are framed by tons of freshness and weightless structure.

Pelio Vineyard (40%) is located just west of Laureles Grade in Carmel Valley, in what will soon officially be the Carmel Coast AVA. At 1000 ft and seven miles from Monterey Bay, this site pushes the boundaries on cool-climate viticulture. Up to a few feet of clay loam topsoil, littered with diatomaceous shale, sit over shale bedrock- evidence that this area was under the sea until about 12 million years ago. Planted in 2003 and organically farmed, Pelio lends itself to wines exploding with fresh fruit, dusty herbs, and bright acidity.

Michaud Vineyard (34%) was planted by Michael Michaud in 1995, after spending 19 years as head winemaker for Chalone Vineyard. Michaud sits at 1550 ft in the northwest corner of the appellation, located at the foot of Pinnacles National Park in the Gabilan Mountains, immediately east of the Salinas Valley. Chalone AVA is characterized by an arid, high desert climate, where hot days are followed by cold and generally clear nights. Decomposed granite soil is the norm here, though pockets of limestone are also found. Wines from Michaud lend themselves to elegant structure and distinctive earthiness.

Double L Vineyard (26%) was planted in 1997 and is Morgan Winery’s estate vineyard, and to this day is the only certified organic site in the SLH. The Santa Lucia Highlands is a mountainside appellation that divides the Santa Lucia range to the west from the Salinas Valley floor to the east. Located between 200 and 600 ft in the cool, northern section of the AVA, the vines at Double L are planted in sandy and clay granitic loams, and are blasted by afternoon wind and sun. Wines from Double L burst with rich fruit and spice, bright acidity, and silky texture.

Medium red. Alpine strawberry, wild cherry, and rose petal are followed by fresh herbs, cranberry, and sweet earthiness. A light body and fresh acidity are wrapped in weightless, elegant structure.