We are not strangers when it comes to visiting a winery or vineyard. In fact, we have been to vineyards in Spain, France, Italy, Chile, Texas, and now California. Through our experiences we’ve taken a much greater interest in winemaking and our home cellar continues to grow by leaps and bounds. I love sharing wine with friends and family and I’m very excited to share my recent experience at Folktale Winery & Vineyards in Carmel, CA.

Before we get to the wines, let’s talk about just how impressive the grounds of this winery are. I completely lived out my childhood fantasy of residing in a fairytale castle while there. It wouldn’t surprise me to find out that unicorns truly do exist and they live at Folktale. The wine club offerings even boast unicorn rides (when available), which really speaks to the laid back and approachable nature of this place.

Once you pass through the gorgeous floral covered arch, you enter into a large courtyard with intimate clusters of tables, chairs and sofas as well as people playing oversized Jenga and beanbag toss games. Pets are welcome and we saw many dogs enjoying the afternoon with their families. The music selection was only what I can describe as “Yacht Rock” (if you’re a Pandora listener then you know what I’m talking about), and our wine server told us the music selection changes just about every day. You’ll also love being greeted with a glass of bubbly as a welcome drink. If this truly is a folktale, then let’s just say Rapunzel knows how to show guests a good time.

In addition to plenty of seating, you’re surrounded by lush gardens full of gorgeous rose blooms practically the size of your face. A cool breeze surrounds you in their floral scent and the the Carmel Valley mountains frame the background. The environment begs you stay, which we did…pretty much all afternoon. It’s incredibly romantic, peaceful, lush, and well, perfect.

About the wine…it’s good. Really good. Folktale is a boutique winery with a smaller production and organically farmed, something that we really appreciate. They were awarded the 2016 California Winery of the Year by the California Travel Association.

A unique aspect to Folktale Winery is the ability to have a leisurely wine tasting right at your table with your server, rather than standing elbow to elbow at a bar with barely enough time to contemplate one wine before moving to the next. At Folktale you can take your time really tasting your wines and chat with your server, whom I might add is wearing a most appropriate rustic apron.

As the menu states, “In every great bottle of wine, there is a story.” When you join the wine club (which we did) each allocation quantity is known as a chapter – 2 bottles is Chapter 2, 4 bottles is Chapter 4, etc. The inner book nerd and librarian in me absolutely loves this. You have the ability to select the individual wines that come in each chapter, too. The rosé here is really nice as was the chardonnay and grenache. They also have a menu of small bites to nibble. We opted for the Chef’s Cheese & Charcuterie Pairing, which had the most delicious sherried dates.

You must leave room for dessert and have an ice cream pop made with wine from Revival Ice Cream. We had one made with rosé and one made with grenache, each served in a wine glass atop fresh red berries. Ice cream made with wine? You’re not dreaming. You’re at Folktale Winery where delicious treats like this are possible.

Thank you so much for reading along and taking this journey with me. If you’re heading to the Carmel or Monterey area, make sure to stop by Folktale Winery & Vineyards. Gift yourself with an afternoon here. You won’t regret it!

Folktale Winery & Vineyards

8940 Carmel Valley Road

Carmel, CA 93923

831.293.7500

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and BLOGLOVIN‘!

A Magical Afternoon at Folktale Winery & Vineyards appeared first on Cathedrals and Cafes.