Albatross Ridge — Carmel Valley, California
Wines of uncommon beauty & grace
Welcome
In the world of great Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the words “cool climate” have become shorthand for a more refined and elegant style of wine, where complex and delicately layered aromas evolve into beautifully delineated flavors, underscored by racy natural acidity.
Those who aspire to make the most thoughtful and sophisticated expressions of this kind of wine practice their craft on the extreme cool-climate edges of California viticulture.
Perched seven miles from the Pacific Ocean and Carmel Coast on a mountaintop, Albatross Ridge exists on the very edge of what’s possible in cool-climate viticulture.
The Name
In the 1930s, famed engineer and pilot William Hawley Bowlus, whose pioneering sailplanes are in the Smithsonian, used to fly gliders off the ridges of Monterey’s majestic Carmel Coast.
Eight decades later, his grandson and great-grandson unknowingly came to the same mountain slopes and established one of California’s most exciting vineyards.
It was only after planting the vineyard, when Brad and Garrett were searching for a name for the site, that they discovered an old book on local Monterey history. On its very last page, they found something as remarkable as it was improbable — a photo of Hawley Bowlus launching his Albatross sailplane off the same high mountain slopes where they founded their vineyard.
“It was such a serendipitous discovery. It affirmed everything we had been working so hard to achieve.” Brad Bowlus, Proprietor
The Vineyard
Albatross Ridge’s 25 acres of vines are planted as a mosaic of 12 distinctive vineyard blocks along California’s Carmel Coast.
Though it reaches elevations as high as 1,250 feet, the vineyard’s soils are made of ancient uplifted marine seabed. These diatomaceous and shale soils are similar to those found in Burgundy, and are optimal for growing complex Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, with rare and distinctive mineral qualities.
Guided by winemaker Garrett Bowlus, Albatross Ridge is farmed by hand, incorporating traditional techniques and the latest technology.
“Because our goal is to nurture the full potential of each plant on our steep, windy mountain site, we essentially treat each vine like a bonsai.” Garrett Bowlus, Winegrower & Winemaker
Garrett farms the vineyard 100% organically, and by hand — as many as a dozen hand-pruning passes each vintage.
Our creed and passion is to grow wine of distinction and to honor the unique soils, setting, and micro-climate that we are privileged to call our own.
Discover Our Wines…
Our 2022 Albatross Ridge Estate Pinot Noir
Bright and deep juicy strawberry, cranberry and cherry flavors integrate with a hint of tarragon, orange and cacao, aromas from the glass evolve with candied cherry, rhubarb and a deep core of violets, rose hips earth and clove in the background. This Pinot Noir will drink well early with air and continue to develop and age up to 20 years.
Shop Our Wines…
Tasting Rooms
We can hardly wait for you to taste our wines!
Whether you find yourself in Carmel-by-the-Sea or Monterey our locations are open and feature an array of wines for you to taste. All of our tasting rooms have been entirely remodeled using beautiful stonework and craftsmanship.
By reservation
Estate Tasting
Our team is ready to host you and educate you on our winemaking philosophy.
Reserve
In the heart of
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Our Tasting Room in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea features indoor seating in an elegant setting.
Learn more
Our newest location
Downtown Monterey
Our newest location in Downtown Monterey pairs our wines with locally inspired tapas.
Learn moreRegardless of where you decide to visit us, our team is ready to host you and educate you on our winemaking philosophy. We encourage reservations.
Exclusive Gatherings
Wine Club
When you decide to be a member of Albatross Ridge we welcome you as a member of our family.
Our promise is to provide you with exceptional wines that we give you exclusive access to in each allocation. All of our member events are designed to cater to the wine aficionado with the highest of expectations at our tasting room and our estate vineyard.
Stay Up To Date…