When I read that Folktale had been voted “Best Winery to Visit” by Monterey County Weekly readers and “California Winery of the Year” by the California Travel Association in 2016, my husband and I hightailed it to Carmel Valley for a tasting. And what a lovely experience we had.
Greeted on a warm day with a refreshing sparkling wine, we meandered around the beautiful property—complete with a French-style chateau and surrounded by lush vineyards. We took our time taking in the scenery before finding a good spot to sit and sample a flight of Folktale’s impressive wines. I particularly loved a NV (nonvintage) Sparkling Brut ($40) with its brilliant color and exciting tropical notes. If you pop the cork on this gorgeous bubbly, you’ll be thrilled with the flavors of stone fruit and almond husk—with a hint of minerality and a bright, clean finish.
Other sparkling wines made by Folktale are equally stunning. I could have stayed in the tasting room until midnight, just soaking up the atmosphere and drinking these exquisite wines. Our attentive server Conrad made our experience even more pleasurable.
Folktale (which used to be Chateau Julien) is a place to linger, especially as a tasty array of food can be ordered from their kitchen. The Cheese Board ($24) comes with four different cheeses and an assortment of nuts and dried fruit, along with Lafayette bread from Carmel. What more could one want?
Folktale Winery, 8940 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, 293-7517. folktalewinery.com.
Chardonnay Days
From noon to 5 p.m. on Aug. 12 and 13 comes the opportunity to celebrate the queen of all varietals: Chardonnay. This two-day festival includes music, toffee, biscotti, awesome cheese platters by Tabitha Stroup of Friend in Cheeses, and specials on everybody’s favorite summer white wine. Participating wineries include Burrell School, Loma Prieta, MJA Vineyards, Radonich Ranch, and Wrights Station Vineyard & Winery. Tickets are $25. For more info visit summit2seawinetrail.com.
Chaminade Farm-to-Table Dinner
The next farm-to-table dinner is Friday, Aug. 11—paired with the wines of Bargetto Winery. Cost is $110 per person, all-inclusive. A reception at 6 p.m. is followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Visit chaminade.com for info and reservations.
