California is known for its excellent wineries and breweries that allow friends and families to gather in a central location and enjoy a great drink. While a lot of people think Napa is the place to go for a delicious drink, Monterey is filled with wineries and breweries that will leave your taste buds bursting and consider taking a bottle or growler home with you.

Always remember to double-check dates, opening times, and weather conditions before traveling.

These wineries and breweries in Monterey are paired with delicious local flavors and small bites to eat that will give you the entire experience you didn’t even know you needed and you might consider never leaving. Monterey has a world-famous wine scene, and they have several wineries you can visit during your stay.

Top Wineries and breweries in monterey, ca

Best Wineries in Monterey

Bargetto Winery of Cannery Row

Address: 700 Cannery Row suite g, Monterey, CA 93940
Tasting fee: $20

Right on the heart of Cannery Row is the Bargetto Winery, perfect to stop into after a long day of shopping. They offer delicious award-winning wines with stunning views of the ocean while you enjoy a glass.

Currently they are only accepting reservations but do offer two tasting experiences. Bargetto will have wine for almost anyone, including rosé, reds, and a reserve collection. You can book your tasting experience online here.

Comanche Cellars

Address: 412 Alvarado St, Monterey, CA 93940
Tasting fee: $20

Comanche Cellars is perfect to stop into when you’re enjoying downtown Monterey. This small wine cellar offers delicious wine flights that you can pair with cheese or charcuterie boards.

Their flight options are always rotating, depending on what is in season, so you can always experience a new wine when visiting. They offer two tasting, and they are one of the few wineries in Monterey that doesn’t require a reservation for a tasting.

Paraiso Vineyard by Smith Family Wines

Address: Vineyards, Paraiso, Paraiso Springs Rd, Soledad, CA 93960
Tasting fee: $15

Head out to the Monterey countryside to enjoy Paraiso Vineyard. They offer three different wines for tasting all while being surrounded by stunning mountain views.

Their outdoor fire pits are perfect those colder months while enjoying a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. If you’re looking for a quiet and small winery in Monterey, this is the one for you.

Pierce Ranch Vineyards

Address: 499 Wave St, Monterey, CA 93940
Tasting fee: $5

While Pierce Ranch Vineyard might not look like a lot, it is one of the best wineries in Monterey. Their old-world wines are to die for, and you’ll feel like you’re exploring Europe while never actually leaving Monterey.

They specialize in Spanish and Portuguese wines, like Tempranillo and Alberino, and if you find one you like, grab a bottle or two since they sell out fast. Their tasting room is a small cottage, but your tasting fee is waived if you buy a bottle.

Caraccioli Cellars

Address: 7393 Dolores St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93923
Tasting fee: $20

Caraccioli Cellars offers a sleeker and trendier tasting experience if that is what you’re looking for. Their cellar has contemporary accents with dark walls and an elegant aesthetic. For $20, you can try six of their wines and nibble on a cheese and charcuterie plate while you’re there.

Did we mention they offer potato chips topped with Caviar? The cellar is meticulous when handling their grapes, to the point where they are transported in small totes to help avoid stress and premature crushing. This allows wines to have bold flavors.

If you’re thinking about pairing your wine tasting day with a delicious gastronomic experience, it can be a great idea to look for the best restaurants in Monterey.

Breweries in Monterey CA

So wine isn’t for you. Fortunately, Monterrey is full of local breweries that will allow you to cool down and relax with your friends. These Monterey breweries feature fantastic flavored local beer that is handcrafted right in the area.

Alvarado Street Brewery

Address: 426 Alvarado St, Monterey, CA 93940

This is one of Monterey’s most popular breweries, and we can see why. Their outdoor beer garden is great to spend some time with local beers on tap.

The brewery loves experimenting with different flavors, and their Mai Tai Pale Ale has won the Great American Beer Festival beer three times. Besides amazing beer, they also offer a full food menu. You’ll never want to leave this brewery.

Elkhorn Slough Brewing Company

Address: 65 Hangar Way Unit D Watsonville, CA 95076

Who doesn’t love an alien-themed brewery? The space offers numerous comfortable couches to relax on, as well as tables where you can taste a few of their unique beers.

Some of their popular flavors include a Strawberry Ale, or if you like bourbon, you can try their Quad Runner, a dark Belgian beer that is barrel-aged in bourbon.

Fieldwork Brewing Company

Address: 560 Munras Ave, Monterey, CA 93940

Fieldwork Brewing Company is an outdoor brewery in downtown Monterey, and they’re even featured on the Old Monterey Tour.

They have an ample number of beers that you can taste, and while enjoying a beer, you can order a pizza from Heirloom Pizza that will be delivered to you via Green Pedal Couriers.

Dust Bowl Brewing Company

Address: 290 Figueroa St, Monterey, CA 93940

Dust Bowl is the newest brewery in Monterey, and locals couldn’t be happier. They offer an ample amount of space indoors and outdoors for seating.

Their indoor area features couches and chairs for a lounge look, while outdoors has fire pits and ring toss. One favorite of locals is the Dirty 30’s brew, a pine-flavored pale ale that goes down smooth.

Peter B’s Brewpub

Address: 2 Portola Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940

Located at the end of Alvarado Street, Peter B’s has been a go-to for locals for a long time. Their peach beer is supposed to be unique, and it is literally brewed with peach rings candy and has that amazing gummy taste.

Their beer list is constantly rotating, but you can buy a growler to take home whenever you need to. The cool thing about their growlers is you can also fill them up at Alvarado Street Brewery and Fieldworks. They also have a full food menu if you want to chow down a little with your beer.

Whether you’re a wine drinker or beer drinker, Monterey is the perfect spot to visit and enjoy your favorite drink with friends. These Monterey wineries and breweries offer delicious food, gorgeous views, and some let you bring your furry friend along for the trip.

Where to stay in Santa Monica

Find more Santa Monica accommodation options on Booking.com.

Santa Monica is fairly easy to get around. We recommend renting a car and exploring all there is to see. You can find the best prices on rental cars by clicking here.

When you’re not discovering Santa Monica on your own, we suggest treating yourself to a tour. From private wine tours to kayak and SUP tours, cooking classes classes to tours of celebrity-owned homes, there’s a little something for everyone. Browse all the Santa Monica tours available on Viator by clicking here.

If you want to capture the memories from your trip to Monterey, we recommend hiring a professional photographer. A Flytographer photoshoot is one of our favorite souvenirs from our travels and we want to share them with you!

10 Perfect Wineries and Breweries in Monterey