Joyce's New Look

         Black, grey, burgundy, minimalist.  That’s the unique modern look of the new Joyce Vineyards Tasting Room in Carmel Valley.

         We had tried many times over the past few months to do a tasting at Joyce’s previous tasting room and hadn’t had luck getting there when it was open.  All that’s changed now with their new site right on the main drag at 19 East Carmel Valley Road.

         The new tasting room can accommodate quite a few wine tasters. You can do either a $5 tasting with six of their premium wines or $7.00 for four of their premium estate wines.  We shared one of each.

         The two standouts for us were a Chardonnay and a Syrah.  Their 2009 Chardonnay “Black Mountain Vineyard” was full, citrusy, balanced and priced at $29.50.   Their 2008 estate Syrah “Joyce Vineyard” was smooth, round and rich, and though more expensive--$55.00—well worth a splurge for a special occasion.  All of the estate wines are made from grapes grown on three acres just off El Caminito Road, on Milpitas, in the valley.  As you know, we like drinking from neighborhood terroir.

         Our server was helpful and knowledgeable.  He also was very accommodating, giving us water so we could balance out our wine intake, an important trick we have learned over this last year.  And nibbling on the crackers on the counter also helped keep us “on task.”

         When we finished our tasting, we sat in one of the several comfy alcoves, flipping through books on various grape varietals from France and sipping their 2007 sweet Pudding Wine which the server thought would be great over vanilla ice cream.

         For more information on Joyce wines, check out their web site at www.joycevineyards.com, and enjoy a tasting anytime from 11-5, Fridays through Sundays.