Scheid Vineyards

Grüner Veltliner accounts for approximately one-third of all the wine grapes grown in Austria and is widely planted in the Czech Republic and Slovakia as well, but just under 100 acres are estimated to be planted in California. We planted our first Grüner vines in 2010 because, truthfully, our winemaking team wanted it. See, they’re wine geeks. And wine geeks love Grüner because it has a wonderful spicy minerality combined with pop rock acidity, it’s über aromatic, and it’s a great wine to pair with food. So their wish was granted and 2020 marks our eighth vintage of this delicious varietal. On the palate it is medium-bodied with balanced acidity and floral notes. Loads of citrus, green pear and guava define the wine, with a delicate hint of pineapple, stone fruit and tropical notes that lead into a clean, crisp finish.

A top notch Chardonnay can be one of life’s great pleasures and the Monterey appellation’s climate, with morning fogs that often linger until midday, allows the intricate fruit flavors to develop while preserving crucial acidity Our Chardonnay Reserve program was developed to produce a rich wine that showcases the distinctiveness of the Monterey growing region This hand
harvested, small batch Chardonnay hails from the Santa Lucia Highlands, where the cool climate results in complex, intense wines Barrel fermentation in small, medium toast French oak and partial malolactic fermentation bring a richness and depth to the blend, which is elegantly balanced with dramatic tropical fruit flavors Aromas of yellow apple, pear, and citrus with notes of butterscotch, vanilla and a hint of allspice tie the wine together in a medium body leading into a lingering finish

Zinfandel is often thought of as an American grape, likely because over 50% of the world’s Zinfandel is grown in California, but in the 1990s it was discovered to be a genetic match to the Croatian grapes Crljenak Kaštelanski and Tribidrag. First brought to California in the 1850s during the Gold Rush, it is now the fourth most widely planted grape in California. Zinfandel is known for its small, dark-skinned berries that offer a high skin-to-juice ratio, which produces intense and concentrated flavors. Our 2018 Zinfandel offers ripe juicy notes of blackberry, plum and black cherry, with hints of cardamom and allspice. Its smooth, medium body is complemented by integrated tannins that lead into a lingering finish of spice, mocha and sweet oak.

Merlot is the new normal. Though unfairly treated for years, Merlot is striding confidently into your home and into your glass, brimming with red fruit, easy tannins and an approachable softness. Beginning with a nose of fresh wild berry and vanilla, our Estate Merlot unfolds smoothly into blackberry, black cherry, plum and boysenberry flavors, framed by a mild acidity and lightly toasted wood notes. It fills the palate with fresh berry pie all the way through the long and engaging finish. This wine is perfect with both vegetarian and heartier beef fare; think beef stew or polenta dishes. Roll out the welcome mat, Merlot is knocking at your door.

Monterey is Pinot Noir country. The land, weather and soil all conspire to create stunning Pinot Noirs that beautifully express their cool climate origin with vivid flavor and elegant structure. The vibrant ruby color of our Pinot Noir showcases intense flavors of wild strawberry, cherry, red raspberry and currant. Back notes of pomegranate, sweet vanilla and earthy herbal hints are framed by a quiet but strong acidity which supports the fully integrated fruit.

More than any other varietal, Pinot Noir is an expression of terroir. Terroir is a word bandied about in the wine world meaning the unique characteristics of a particular locale – essentially the taste of the place. And no other varietal reflects its sense of place more than the temperamental Pinot Noir grape.

At Scheid Vineyards, we craft up to seven different bottled Pinots per vintage and our Pinot portfolio wouldn’t be complete without an SLH offering. Pinots from Santa Lucia Highlands lean towards a darker and denser style than their Burgundian cousins. They tend to have a little bit of tannin, a lot of dark fruit, and great leather and smoke on the nose.

Our 2016 delivers mass quantities of cherries and blackberries, with notes of vanilla and forest floor. Smooth, sleek and velvety, this wine captures the inimitable personality of this great vineyard site.

Due to its cool climate and the ocean influence, Monterey County is best known for its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays Yet in the southern part of the county lies the San Lucas appellation, a gorgeous locale with rolling topography, complex soils and weather that is warm enough to ripen all of the red Bordeaux varieties Killer Cab from Monterey County?

2016 Kurt’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is Exhibit A Kurt Gollnick our COO, chose a 10 acre plot to plant his favorite variety, a micro site that is capable of growing world class Cabernet Sauvignon The wine is dark and concentrated with aromas of blackberries, boysenberries and elderberries with notes of chocolate, hazelnuts, toasty oak and a hint of violet The palate delivers rich, juicy black fruit flavors followed by soft, integrated tannins and a long lingering finish. 

Our Clone Series was created to highlight the nuances that each Pinot Noir clone presents. What do we mean by “clone?” Grapevines in general, and Pinot Noir vines in particular, are genetically unstable and can mutate slightly over time. Each grape variety is actually made up of many subtypes, called clones. These clones can result in different flavors, intensity and color. At Scheid Vineyards, we grow 20 different clones of Pinot Noir. Clone 777 is one of the Dijon clones, so named because of the return address on the shipping container that held the original imported cuttings from Burgundy. It is characterized by small berries, which results in a more intense color than many Pinot Noirs, and good tannin structure suitable for aging. Winemaker Dave Nagengast has crafted an intense wine that is also elegant and refined. Our Clone Series 777 is dense and complex, with highly structured tannins built to age. Handcrafted in minute amounts, this Pinot possesses exotic spice aromas, black cherry and cassis flavors and a silky texture.