The Robert Talbott Company is known for its beautiful handmade men’s ties. Back in the day, I remember seeing Talbott tie shops all over, especially in international airports. Robert and Audrey Talbott moved from east to west in the ’50s with their young son Robb, and their newly established tie business began to flourish.
With a growing interest in wine, Robert and Robb planted a vineyard in the ’80s, and the rest is history. They now have a thriving business, and their wines are available all over. Their Kali Hart 2019 Chardonnay is particularly well known and a wine drinker’s favorite.
“Our Kali Hart white wine is a fruit-forward, refreshing expression of a cool-climate wine from our legendary Sleepy Hollow Vineyard,” say the folks at Talbott. Layers of Golden Delicious apple and pear add lovely notes to the mouthfeel, with tropical Kaffir lime and pineapple. Add hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and butter to the mix and you have an excellent Chardonnay for $20.
Sea Root Restaurant served Talbott for an event recently, and the Chardonnay paired very well with seafood dishes like the pan-fried halibut and diver scallops—the meat dishes and the veggie risotto Verde were some of the other notables on the menu. Sea Root is excellent and well worth the drive to Monterey to try something new; it’s also open for breakfast and brunch.
Talbott Vineyards, East Side of Lincoln Street between 5th and 6th avenues, Carmel-by-the-Sea, 831-659-3500. Talbottvineyards.com
Sea Root is in the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa On Del Monte Golf Course, 1 Old Golf Course Road, Monterey.
Downtown Wine Walk
The fall Santa Cruz Wine Walk—2-5pm on Sunday, Nov.14—will feature many popular local names. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 on the day of. Hurry before they sell out! Several downtown Santa Cruz favorites will offer wine tasting, and check-in is at Soif. For winery information and tickets, visit downtownsantacruz.com.
