Spring brings two great new wines to the McIntyre Tasting Studio, ready to be enjoyed with family and friends: no special occasion needed. First, we have the brand new 2012 Pinot Noir Rosé, a pale as the dawn beauty that captures the essence of fruit picked around Champagne-levels of ripeness, quite tangy and very lively in the glass. Our introductory price is $19.50.

This wine is perfect for warm weather brunches and poolside lunches. It would make any Mom happy on Mother’s Day, along with a dozen roses and some shortbread wine cookies, which we also have available in the Tasting Studio.

Next is the 2006 Estate Reserve Pinot Noir from the Estate vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, which Steve and Kim acquired 25 years ago. This was the very first Pinot Noir made under the McIntyre label, and we’re delighted to have saved some in our library for our special customers. Don’t miss this chance to taste a delicious bit of history, made from our home vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

From a cool growing season, followed by a later harvest, the 2006 Estate Pinot exhibits the delicacy and finesse of a cooler season with long hangtime. It oozes aromas of strawberry vine candy and German chocolate cake with raspberry coulis, jumping onto the palate with bright, zingy flavors of red licorice, watermelon candy, lemon bars and racy raspberry twizzlers. This wine would be especially lovely to serve with any festive, celebratory meal, especially where turkey or ham are involved.

Bonus: Just in time for Mother’s Day, or that special graduation gift or an anniversary present they won’t forget, we created a two-pack of this wonderful wine, signed by Steve McIntyre, who was recently named “WineGrower of the Year” by the California Association of WineGrape Growers. Available for just $69, plus shipping and handling, it comes in a beautiful wooden box, perfect for giving. But don’t forget some for yourself!

To order, call 831-649-9463 or visit our online web store 24 hours a day.

Everyday is “Earth Day” at McIntyre Vineyards, where sustainability is our watchword, but we’re joining the Wine Institute in celebrating Earth Day all month long.

In honor of Steve McIntyre’s recent honor by the California Association of Winegrape Growers, who named him “California WineGrower of the Year” for 2012, the McIntyre Tasting Studio is offering a special two-bottle pack of the very first wine to be bottled under the McIntyre label from the estate vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

For the month of April only, special two-packs of our racy 2006 Estate Pinot Noir, regularly $46, will be available for just $69, exclusive of shipping and handling charges. Bottles are signed by Winegrower of the Year, Steve McIntyre.  Shipping and handling adds $20- $35, depending on location: call 831-649-9463  for pricing. Or, just pick them up at the Tasting Studio!  We are located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in the Hyatt Monterey Lobby.

Don’t miss this opportunity to commemorate Earth Day in a delicious way, by drinking the very fruit of the earth from our inaugural vintage!

The McIntyre 2011 Kimberly Vineyard Merlot from Steve & Kim’s home vineyard in the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey, continues to wine high praise from the critics. We’re especially pleased that Steve Heimoff of Wine Enthusiast chose to spotlight our juicy, complex Merlot. We think you’ll agree, it’s a great wine for drinking now, but it’s got the legs to last for those patient enough to cellar a few bottles. Put some away now!

Wine Enthusiast has just listed our 2011 Kimberly Vineyard Merlot in their May 2013 Buying guide. They described it as “A real delight for its delicious drinkability, and a revelation for Monterey Merlot. Shows the acidity and varietal purity of the Arroyo Seco region, with intense plum and blackberry flavors balanced by a rich earthiness.” Editors’ Choice.

Give the Easter Bunny The Day OFF! Find all your holiday dinner wines and Easter goodies right here at the McIntyre Tasting Studio! We have an eggcellent selection of delicious Easter candies and goodies, perfect for creating brilliant Easter baskets for everyone on your list.

For your spring drinking pleasure, we have the 2011 Vin Gris of Pinot (rose) on sale (30% off!!) and a two-pack of adorable small format 375’s, including a 2011 Estate Chardonnay and a 2010 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, just $30, sweetly packaged for that perfect hostess gift! While supplies last.

Whether you ham it up or lamb it up for Easter dinner, make sure you have plenty of McIntyre wine on hand: our Chardonnays and Pinots are the perfect choice for a memorable meal. And don’t forget our sensational 90 pt (Wine Enthusiast) 2011 Kimberly Vineyard Merlot, a lovely pair with a rosemary and garlic infused leg of lamb.

Visit the Tasting Studio at the Hyatt, daily, from 10am. We’re also here, online, 24×7: taste@mcintyrevineyards.com or call 831-649-9463 for special orders!

McIntyre Vineyards Honored in Food & Beverage World’s California Wines of the Year Competition for 2012

Food & Beverage World recently announced the winners of their annual California Wines of the Year Competition for 2012.

McIntyre Vineyards was honored to place among the top three finalists in the Pinot Noir category with the McIntyre Vineyards 2010 Block 3 Estate Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands. This wine was also praised by Prince of Pinot, Rusty Gaffney, for its “impeccable balance,” and “alluring aromas of dark berries, plum pudding and subtle oak. Delicious middleweight flavors of black raspberry, blackberry and black plum wrapped in soft tannins, finishing with remarkable fruit presence on the lengthy finish.”

In the Chardonnay category, McIntyre’s 2011 McIntyre Vineyards Estate Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, was also among the top three favorites of all the tasters. Prince of Pinot, Rusty Gaffney, wrote,  “Aromas of lemon curd, baked pear and banana pudding. Tasty core of pear, lemon-lime citrus, toffee and a hint of banana framed by bright acidity producing a juicy wine with a crisp finish.”

Methodology: The magazine’s tasting panel rounded up their favorites wines among those submitted for review during the past twelve months. Next, wineries were invited to submit their favorite bottles into the competition as well. The panel then selected between 5 and 7 finalists for each category.

The bottles selected for the final round were tasted by invited guests, consisting of members of the public who drink wine regularly, but who are certainly not experts. They were asked to vote only for their favorite wine in each category.