Father's Day Wine by Monique Soltani

McIntyre Vineyards

The McIntyre Estate Vineyard lies in the “sweet spot” of Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, a 12-mile stretch of east-facing benchland renowned for producing wines with great character and complexity. Originally planted in 1973, the 80-acre site boasts some of the Highlands’ oldest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. Since purchasing the property in 1987, the McIntyre family has viticulturally upgraded the entire site.

Today, McIntyre Vineyards produces estate, vineyard designated, and block designated wines from their estate and neighboring vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco Avas. They produce several distinct pinot noirs, chardonnays and a merlot, sparkling wine and a rose.

With degrees in viticulture and enology, Steve McIntyre is that rare combination of winegrower and winemaker. With a history in SLH that stretches nearly four decades, Steve has a unique perspective on the terroir and wines of this great appellation. In 1987, following many years as winemaker at Smith & Hook, a neighboring winery in the Highlands, he purchased the adjacent 80-acre vineyard parcel that would eventually become McIntyre Vineyards.

2013 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir $34

Vintage: 2013

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands

Harvest Date: September 2013

Aging: Oak Barrel

Bottling Date: August 2014