Chalone Vineyard, Historic winery in Monterey County, California, US
Chalone Vineyard is a winery in the Gavilan Mountains of Monterey County, California, sitting at around 1,800 feet (550 meters) above sea level. The vines grow in limestone-rich soil, and the wide daily temperature swings between warm days and cool nights shape the character of the wines produced here.
The vineyard was founded in 1919 by Charles L. Tamm, and it survived Prohibition by selling grapes to local churches for sacramental wine. That practical choice allowed the operation to keep running through years when most wineries in the country had to close.
The 1974 Chardonnay from Chalone achieved third place at the 1976 Judgment of Paris, establishing California wines in international markets.
The access road through the mountains can be rough depending on weather conditions, so allow extra time and drive carefully. Visiting on a clear day makes the drive easier and gives a better sense of the landscape around the property.
The soil here contains limestone and calcium carbonate mixed with decomposed granite, a combination that closely resembles the ground found in the Champagne region of France. This type of soil is rare on the American continent and comes from the specific geological past of this mountain area.
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