Odonata is already my favorite wine tasting place in River Rd, very friendly and welcoming must try…read moretheir brut, you can come here and sit and apréciate the beautiful outdoor view ambience is so enjoyable and relaxing. They have variety of wines to choose it won't disappoint you.

Pulled into Odonata Winery in Salinas twenty minutes before closing. Normally, that's the hour when…read moretasting rooms tighten up and smiles fade. Not here. Julia greeted us like it was opening time -- calm, unhurried, fully present. The wines hit different. The sparkling had backbone, the reds carried weight without shouting, and the brandy--smooth but with a quiet burn that reminds you where you are. It's the kind of lineup that could sit comfortably on a Napa shelf, just without the attitude or the markup. There's an honesty to this place. You taste it in the glass and feel it in how they treat you. We left with bottles, a membership, and a few photos Julia snapped -- not posed, just moments. Odonata doesn't perform hospitality. It lives it.

The singer there was great. Food was wonderful. Met a few new people while sitting on comfortable…read morepatio furniture. Would definitely go again.

We dropped in Saturday around 12:20pm since we were in the area already. There was no one there…read moreexcept a staff. Molly was great! She was very informative and friendly. I'm glad we came when it was empty! Tasting fee was $20 for 4 wines but we also got to taste a Syrah and stainless steel Chardonnay. Wines are some bolder and some lighter. Some earth and some fruit. We liked the estate Pinot noir (earthy) and the oaked Chardonnay the best (not as oakey compared to some) We were able to waive 1 tasting fee with 2 bottles purchase. I heard you can go a few times a week and still get free tastings like other places if you are members unlike other wineries. They have spacious outdoor and the indoor is also a good size. Nice and clean restrooms outside in another building. You can bring outside food. I saw that they sell some cheese and snacks too.

Our experience at Folktale Winery & Vineyards was exceptional. The cuisine and service were both…read moreoutstanding, creating a memorable and welcoming atmosphere. Nick, our server, was particularly impressive--personable, attentive, and highly knowledgeable about the wines. His thoughtful recommendations and warm hospitality made our first visit truly special and inspired us to return. On our second visit, the experience was just as wonderful as the first. The live music added to the ambiance, and watching the sun set over the vineyards provided a spectacular and unforgettable backdrop. It's a beautiful setting paired with excellent service and food--an experience we would gladly repeat

Nick was our server today. He was so kind and knowledgeable in the wine. I have never been wine…read moretasting before and he made such good recommendations. He was nice, funny, and made this experience so nice. I appreciate the service and the ambiance of the winery. I would come back!

If you are considering Holly Farm as the venue for your wedding, and you just want the tl;dr, then…read morehere are my three most important suggestions for you: 1) You should absolutely go with Holly Farm. 2) You should accept every piece of advice Erin, Ryan, and the rest of the incredible team have for you along the way. 3) You should start getting excited right now about La Creme because their food is out of this world. Picking Holly Farm as our venue was the first choice we made in our wedding planning process, and trust me when I say that it was by far the best one. The pictures speak for themselves, and yes, it's as amazing as it looks (though if you haven't visited, you should take the excuse - it's truly stunning in person), but the real game changer is the team. The Holly Farm fam has been at this for decades, and it SHOWS. They cater to your needs and your vision, whether you want to be super hands on and into the nitty gritty on everything, or whether you want somebody to completely take the reins for you. We were so so appreciative for Erin's help during the planning process; any time we were stuck on something, she had a recommendation ready that was never just "off the shelf". We didn't want to be totally consumed by wedding planning all the time, and even though Erin had a big list of vendors ready to go, we were more than happy to listen every time she said "here's the 2 who I think you guys would love". It's really really telling to me that every single vendor we spoke to - without exception, including the ones we didn't end up choosing - all said some version of the same thing: "oh man I LOVE doing weddings at Holly Farm". Here's what I'll say about the weekend itself - it truly feels like you are staying at a luxury resort where you and your friends are the only guests. The entire staff is so attentive, so friendly, and they take care of all the details and logistics so that your only job really is to just enjoy the weekend and stay relaxed. We cooked a huge friends and family dinner in the Adobe and they cleaned the entire kitchen for us! Anytime we were hanging out in the evenings they rolled the portable heaters up without us asking! They moved our rental equipment around to make cool outdoor spaces for us so that we could get more use out of it than just the wedding itself! And nothing felt so satisfying as passing by Ryan on a path and hearing "hey I just lit your fireplace for you!". Of everything we loved about our wedding, the thing we loved most was getting to have this full weekend experience with our closest friends and family in one place, made truly special by the care the entire Holly Farm team put into making us feel at ease and at home. And one final thing - lest I leave you with the impression that this is only about good vibes - the operations for the wedding itself were incredible. Every vendor knows the team and knows the venue, everything works like clockwork without you having to supervise anything, and Erin, Ryan, and their staff have things so tightly coordinated that we didn't have to stress about logistics at all once the weekend got started. I can't emphasize enough how big a difference that made to us compared to some horror stories we'd heard from other weddings. Here are some final quick hits on other things you might be wondering about - but seriously, pick Holly Farm: - I didn't write an entire review for Tamie and La Creme, because it would be just as long, but they do amazing work. This is straight up excellent food, not excellent "wedding" food. - The rooms and buildings are very cool and very comfortable. - Yes, the Paraiso suite is "open air". Yes, it really does stay warm. Having a roaring fire in there, plus a heated blanket on the bed....A+. - The optional River House for extra space is definitely walkable (~3 mins), but it's nice to have flashlights at night. - Having the flexibility to use the space however you want for the entire weekend is a highly highly underrated perk. We had people hanging out on Thursday and Friday and it was a ton of fun. Highly recommend making plans that utilize the space every day. - We were nervous about the higher cost at first, but asking friends and family who stayed on site to pay for rooms turned out to not be a very big deal, and what we charged them was still way less than area hotels. - The music has to switch from DJ's speakers to house speakers at 9:30pm, but the house speakers can stay on all night if you want. We had just as much fun after the switchover. - No curfew is also a huge perk not to overlook. Erin and Ryan if you're reading this THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN YOU GUYS ARE ROCK STARS!!

As my husband and I drive up the central coast to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary, we…read morethought this was the perfect time to share a little bit about our insanely incredible experience getting married at Holly Farm. Our wedding was an absolute dream come true. The love we had for each other and for our family and friends that traveled from across the country to celebrate with us was reflected in the beauty and spirit of Holly Farm and all of the wonderful folks that work there. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the warmth and charm of the space. It was as if every inch of the venue was designed to make us and our guests feel at home, while still capturing an elevated, magical atmosphere that was simply unforgettable. Everyone at Holly Farm went above and beyond to ensure each detail of our wedding weekend was flawless. Their attention to detail was extraordinary, and it was clear they genuinely cared about making our day perfect. Ryan and Erin were so caring and attentive, and they made us feel like family. They were there for every little detail and made us feel completely at ease. The food, catered by La Creme, was nothing short of five star restaurant quality. We've received countless compliments from our guests about how delicious everything was! This was a big deal, especially coming from our families who are used to extravagant New Jersey weddings with an abundance of food. They all told us it was the best wedding food they'd ever had, which is about the highest praise you can get from a family who knows food! Everything about The Holly Farm was perfect--from the gorgeous, tropical setting that felt like a hidden paradise against the coastal backdrop of Carmel to the impeccable service and food. We couldn't have imagined a more beautiful, heartfelt, and memorable experience, and our friends and family STILL haven't stopped raving about it! Our wedding weekend was made even more special thanks to the onsite haciendas where we, along with some of our close friends, stayed. The houses were cozy yet luxurious, and perfectly appointed with a level of service that truly felt five-star. Each detail was perfect, from the unbelievably comfortable beds to the wood burning fires that were lit by hand each night and the wonderful house staff that made everyone feel at home the moment they arrived. Getting to spend the whole weekend in such an enchanting space made the whole wedding feel so much more special, a truly immersive experience vs a single-day event. We loved discovering the countless nooks and crannies throughout the property where our friends and family could relax, chat, and soak in the surroundings. It created a sense of intimacy and closeness that made the entire experience feel so special. When the weekend was over, we genuinely didn't want to leave. Heck, we may even crash the wedding that's probably getting ready to kick off this weekend! The Holly Farm made every moment magical, and we will forever cherish our time spent there with the people we love most.

We're Here At WRATH Winery On A COLD Sunday Morning Gonna Get Our WINE ON..!!!…read moreSo We Ordered The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc..!! Very Crisp And Refreshing..!!! Even SANCHITO Loves It Here.!! Round 2..!!!! 2024 EX Pinot Noir..!!! Red Wine..!!!

Wine and view were great. Service was friendly. Ill be back for more wine. Their Carmel tasting…read moreroom was just as good...sans the view.

Nice wines and service! Also a very friendly winery cat. A fun place to stop during our trip.read more

*MUST VISIT* Afternoon well spent with a generous varieties…read moreof wines offered. My boyfriend and I got 1 flight because he has to drive and all of the wines were ABSOLUTELY TOP NOTCH! Our server, Daniella, was so so friendly and made the whole experience 2 times better!! If you're in the area and are still choosing between the wineries, this is a no-brainer for sure

We had the most amazing wine tasting on Saturday! Jorge when above and beyond to give us the best…read moreservice and explain the different wines that they grow. I love the ambience with the wonderful views of the valley. I was telling my friends it's like going all the way to Napa or Sonoma but it's in Soledad! I really liked the cheese and salami that Jorge offered with the crackers they give you the cutest wooden plate with a knife so you can serve/cut yourself. They even have jams! We brought some bottles home and really enjoyed them also. 5 stars and beyond! Wecan't wait to go again!

My party of 4 visited the winery on a Sunday afternoon. The wine host explained that they had a…read moreparty on property for the day and were sold out of a few of their wines. He walked us through our options in terms of tasting for the day and we got started. We tasted through 6 wines and made ourselves a picnic on the deck located outside with a nice view. Our wine educator was friendly and accommodating to our group of 4 that were not tasting the same wines. Overall, my favorite wine I tasted was the 2021 Grenache. CRU specializes in Pinot and Chardonnay which are not my favorite varietals but I would still recommend this winery to anyone in the area looking for a nice spot to enjoy a picnic and good wine.

We came back again! This is our favorite place for Laguna Seca races: 8 minutes away from the race…read moretrack entrance, very quiet (!) and remote, nestled into green park surroundings of a private gated community, but only 5-8 minute drive to downtown Salinas. We stayed two nights (FRI to SUN). The rooms are gorgeous and we always love the lush surroundings and serene vibe. The inn keepers are there to help, and after all the race noise and engine sounds it was fantastic to snuggle into bed at night with (free) popcorn and watch a movie after relaxing in the bubble bath. We will be back, for sure.

We stayed here for the SLH Sun Wind & Wine festival at Mer Soleil Vineyards and it was a good and…read moreconvenient choice. We were pleased with our 2nd floor room. It was spacious and comfortable. As others have noted, the stairs are a bit steep but we had no issues with it. The downside of the property is that it feels quite impersonal. You check in like you would at an AirBnB rental. There is ostensibly an innkeeper on site but we never met (nor needed) them. There were also some difficulties getting our reservation payment process finalized. Even though we reserved via Booking.com, the property uses their own system and the information did not coordinate well. It took multiple messages back and forth with a remote service center before things got squared away. Knowing what i know now, I would just book direct if the rates aligned. BOTTOM LINE: A nice choice at a memorable but slightly quirky property. We would stay here again.

I loved the atmosphere. The building was so cool! The beer was 5/5 but the food was not as good as…read moreexpected. Overall, very cute place and great service.

Great place to have some good beer! Downfall is limited seating on friday and Saturday nights, so…read moreget there early.

DeRose Winery and Wines(Alejandro is an excellent vintner)are always a celebration. Nicholas…read moreelevated our DeRose experience as the amazing host. Nicholas made us feel welcome and valued as long time club members. It was wonderful to taste inside. Loved the DeRose History - Nicholas is knowledgeable and very personable. DeRose is a Cienega Valley Gem!

The legendary DeRose Winery…read more.. It's all about the Cab Franc! I believe the Cab Franc is what they are known for... and for good reason. The Cab Franc is one of the best I had! The only other local domestic rival I know off that is near as good hails from 3 Steves Winery in Livermore, and they get the grapes form DeRose! So, do yourself a favor and pick up a bottle of the Cab Franc. You won't regret it. The Cab Franc is a 100% Cabernet Franc, not blended. The Vines are pruned in the winter, the Grapes are exposed to sunlight with careful leaf removal and the Clusters are thinned after veraison. Common tasting notes are Berries , dark Stone Fruit, a dash of pepper a subtle hint of roses. Can you tell I like is wine? The vineyard is located on both sides of the San Andreas Fault and wines are part of the old Vaché planting method. DeRose wines are also organically farmed, just not not certified. Oh, can't forget the dry farming as well. The Winery is in the middle of nowhere... It's a journey onto itself to get here. There isn't much else around. There is another winery down the road, but that's about it. Don't be scared to make the trip. They recently opened a Tasting room in San Martin. Can't wait to stop by and do some wine tasting there...