“Baconologists” Chef Todd Fisher of Tarpy’s
Roadhouse & Tony Baker of Montrio Bistro
- Page 4
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| SUMMER
2015
EDITOR’S PICKS:
WALKTO THIS
WAY
SALINAS
Publisher
Vice President of Advertising
Graphic & Content Designer
Writers
Photography
GARY OMERNICK
DAN KROLCZYK
RICK GEBIN
MIKE HALE
JASON HOPPIN
David Royal
For more information on
Advertising, call:
831-726-4343
[email protected]
PLAY Monterey Bay
is published quarterly by
The Monterey Herald.
All rights reserved.
Material herein may not be reprinted
without express written consent of
the publisher.
Cover Photo: By Randy Tunnell
R
ock and Roll Hall of Famers Aerosmith will kick off California
Rodeo’s “Big Week” with a live concert at the Salinas Sports Complex on
Friday, July 10.
The 16-city summer tour celebrates 45 years since the band’s first
concert in November of 1970. Made up of Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Brad
Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer, Aerosmith is a living piece of
American music history having sold more than 150 million albums worldwide. They are the recipients of countless awards, including four Grammys, eight American Music Awards, six Billboard Awards and 12 MTV
Video Music Awards, among many other honors. Some of their greatest
hits include “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way,” “Dream On,” and “Janie’s
Got a Gun,” among countless others.
Those hits will still be part of the setlist, but Tyler and Perry have both
said they’re planning to include album tracks once part of their sets:
Perry says he’d like to revive 1989’s “Monkey on My Back,” 1993’s “Fever” and 2001’s “Beyond Beautiful,” and Tyler is considering “Sick as a
Dog” from the 1976 LP “Rocks.”
MAKE YOUR OWN
Candied Bacon
“We’re thrilled to have Aerosmith join the list of world famous entertainers
who have performed right here at the Salinas Sports Complex, including The Eagles, Brad Paisley, Poison and Alan Jackson,” said Mandy
COOKING TIME:
Lindquist, spokesperson for the California Rodeo.
15-25 minutes
The concert is presented by Taylor Farms and will be produced by the
California Rodeo Salinas and David Drew Productions.
INGREDIENTS:
8 slices of thick-cut bacon
2 Tsp Chili Powder
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
DIRECTIONS:
1. Line a baking sheet with foil. Set a cooling rack inside the prepared
pan and set aside.
2. In a bowl, mix sugar and chili powder. Dress bacon slices in the
brown sugar mixture and put bacon on the rack in the pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until crisp. 12-25 minutes, depending on
oven. Move to serving plate, cool a bit and serve.
PLAY | SUMMER 2015 3
BACON
BURDEN
BY CHEF TODD FISHER
IS A READERS CHOICE
WINNER
IS A READERS CHOICE
WINNER
Chef Todd Fisher and Chef Tony Baker
Photo by Randy Tunnell
W
hat is it about bacon?
Is it the salty sweetness, or the
fatty meatiness, or the unctuous
umami flavor all in one mouth-ful?
Who knows, but it’s certainly a
guilty pleasure that satisfies and
stimulates like no other protein.
Bacon is its own religion, with a
passionate following I call “Baconologists”
who live and breathe bacon, have tattoos of bacon,bacon piercings and sultry swine sweaters and T-shirts, and use
bacon breath mints and claim to like them. These are the folks who beam with brilliance at the mere mention of bacon,
who quantify their love of bacon in telling the tales of all the things they have put bacon on, in and around. It’s these
“Baconistas” who post bacon selfies and who’s questions contribute to the greater bacon burden. The customary
questions that they ask are simple: Are you serving bacon? Is there bacon on the menu? Do you have any bacon for
me? Where’s the BACON?
As the anointed bacon “expert” who enthusiastically traveled this beautiful country of ours, seeking out tremendous
bacon bounties and exceptional porcine potions, one might foresee that there are at least a few hundred bacon zealots out there who would gladly swap clogs with me and take to the task with tremendous passion.
Choosing a life perfumed in bacon grease and smoky goodness, for the sake of entertainment and discovery, and
holding the title of “The Bacon Guy,” comes with a burden that I believe very few could truly bear. The questions start
off like slices of bacon nestled into a cold frying pan, but begin to gain gusto and sizzle and splatter and get more
agitated and harder to handle: What bacon is the best bacon, which is like choosing your favorite child?
4
PLAY | SUMMER 2015
Why don’t you make your own bacon?
And then the questions that
you start to ask yourself: Do I have
enough bacon on my menu? Is there
such a thing as enough bacon?
Should I put more bacon on this, or
do I have too much bacon on that?
Applewood, hickory or maple? These
are the sizzling conversations that
take place in my head as I prepare
for new menu changes and plan for
special events.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a burden that I happily shoulder. I mean,
really, we’re talking about bacon
and the correct answer is you truly
cannot ever have enough bacon.
But finding the sweet spot is the
goal. The real fun for me is getting
the bacon into the game in unusual
and unique ways, and at Tarpy’s
Roadhouse we do exactly that, with
bacon fat vinaigrettes, bacon-infused
broths, bacon-basted eggs, baconcandied apples and other savory
and sweet, bacon creations.
Chef Tony Baker of Montrio Bistro in
Downtown Monterey has known this
burden himself as the visionary behind Baker’s Bacon, an artisanal bacon that is simply rubbed with turbi
nado sugar, salt and left to cure. The
entire process takes two full weeks.
Baker meticulously double-smokes,
once hot smoked with applewood
and a second time cold-smoked with
maple for a distinct, deep, sweet
smoke that is the signature of his
double-smoked bacon.
“Having my own bacon brand is great, and making a bacon that other chefs really like and source to use in the restaurants is awesome,” Baker told me. “I really have painted, or smoked, myself into a culinary corner that can be challenging as a chef. Everywhere I go people expect me to pull a slab of Baker’s Bacon out of my pocket, which I actually
do on occasion!”
The burden is real and really fun. As a chef there is not one ingredient that defines me or my style. Bacon is amazing,
and like few other ingredients is irreplaceable. So if there had to be one ingredient that really said “Chef Todd,” well,
the irreplaceable, sweet, saltiness of cured pig ain’t too bad!
P.S. As the prince of salted and smoked pig, I am always asked, what is the best bacon I’ve had? I must say that’s a
fairly easy answer to give, it’s always the last bacon I just ate!
Todd Fisher is the executive chef at Tarpy’s Roadhouse in Monterey, and the former chef-owner of Hullaballoo in Salinas and The
Kitchen in Sand City. In 2012 he hosted “The United States of Bacon” on Destination America, touring the country in search of the
perfect bacon dish.
PLAY | SUMMER 2015 5
World Oceans Day Weekend - June 6 and 7
A delicious mashup of our favorite World Oceans Day activities plus
culinary explorations and experiences that connect our daily food
choices with the health of the ocean.
• Cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs • Food & Wine Adventures • Talk & Taste series
• Lively late-night Party • New events include a Feeding Frenzy aquarium tour with Carla Hall,
and the Bubbles and Bites on the Bay early evening sparkling wine reception.
• Special World Oceans Day programming including chats with our aquarists about cool critters,
Behind-the-Scenes Tours and more.
Check cookingforsolutions.org for details about the dynamic year-round lineup of events.
For information, call 866-963-9645.
6
PLAY | SUMMER 2015
BY MIKE HALE
PLAY SPOKE WITH SEAFOOD WATCH OUTREACH
MANAGER RYAN BIGELOW ABOUT SUSTAINABLE
SEAFOOD AND HOW TO MAKE WISER CHOICES AS
CONSUMERS.
W
hat is Seafood Watch exactly?
We’re a program of the Monterey Bay Aquarium that
helps individuals and businesses buy seafood that’s
caught or farmed in ways that that have less impact on
the environment.
Tell us more about the recent April updates on freshwater
prawns.
Giant freshwater prawns farmed in recirculating systems
are now a “Best Choice.” Shrimp are the most popular
seafood in the United States, so a new “Best Choice”
option is great news for consumers. More importantly,
the closed nature of the systems they are raised in helps
address many issues Americans have with farmed fish.
More than half of the fish we eat in the U.S. is farmed.
These new systems will help make farmed products safer
and more ocean-friendly.
What should consumers do in the grocery aisle?
The easiest thing to do at the seafood counter is ask, “Do
you sell sustainable seafood?” It lets businesses know
you’re interested in making smart choices. Also, carry the
Seafood Watch app or pocket guide.
A couple of other tips:
1) Americans eat a lot of canned tuna. If you’re buying
albacore or light tuna, make sure it’s troll/pole caught. If it
is, it will say on the label. If you’re buying skipjack, look for
free school or “FAD freed” options. Again, it will definitely
say on the label.
2) Most seafood in the U.S. is imported, but buying U.S.
seafood is usually a better option.
What should locals know when choosing a local
restaurant?
Many Monterey-area restaurants are Seafood Watch
partners. Partners don’t serve “Avoid” items, so ordering
seafood is easy and guilt-free. You can find them through
our mobile app and online. If you’re not sure if a business
is a Seafood Watch partner, again, simply ask, “Do you sell
sustainable seafood?”
What can advocates do to spread the word?
Let your favorite businesses know that ocean-friendly
seafood is on your shopping list. The more we ask businesses if they sell sustainable seafood, the more we move
the market in a sustainable direction. Companies in your
community play a crucial role in the conservation of ocean
resources and they listen to their customers.
PLAY | SUMMER 2015 7
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PLAY | SUMMER 2015
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Ph: (831) 373-0183
w w w. e y e m d o n c a s s . c o m
SECRETS OF G
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BY MIKE HALE
PLAY CHATTED IT UP WITH WALTER AND SILVIA
GEORIS, AND WINEMAKER DAMIEN GEORIS, AT
GEORIS WINERY IN CARMEL VALLEY TO GET SOLID
ANSWERS ON WINETASTING IN OUR REGION.
I
f a person drops in to pay for
the winetasting and doesn’t buy a
bottle, is that like going to a Tupperware party and not buying a bowl?
No, most rooms are happy to see you
come visit. Try and buy the things you
enjoy, and give your hosts your feedback
anytime.
Typically how many wines should
you taste when making a buying
decision?
Four or five is about the right amount.
Should I eat, before, after or during
winetasting?
Eating before or after, with your favorite
foods or at restaurants, will enhance your
total experience.
Is there a best time of the day for
winetasting?
Professionals taste between 9:30 a.m.
and 11 a.m. on an empty stomach. For
the general public it would be after
11:30 a.m.
PLAY | SUMMER 2015 9
What about the crackers, and
drinking water between wines?
Water is not recommended but, yes,
enjoy bread or cheese if you are tasting several wines.
Can I ask for more, if I really want
to try another sip.
Yes, be responsible, of course, but
sometimes it takes an extra few sips
to enjoy the total experience. We want
to help you find your favorite wine.
After too many wines, can a normal person’s palate distinguish
between a good wine and a great
wine?
Most everyone has a palate “burnout”
point. If you’re just tasting and not drinking, you could perhaps taste as many
as a dozen or more wines consecutively. Of course, enjoy responsibly.
What’s the secret to performing
a glass “swirl and sniff” without
looking like a pretender?
We say just practice and relax, it’s only
winetasting. Don’t worry, nobody’s judging you.
10
PLAY | SUMMER 2015
What are some good compliments to give to the vineyard host
when sampling?
Keep it simple. Believe it or not, “I like
this wine” says the most.
What should we look for when
winetasting in Monterey County
versus Napa and Sonoma?
Monterey County wine appellation is
large and you will find many different terroirs, therefore wines will be
unique. Monterey wines generally
will be lower in alcohol than Napa or
Sonoma due to cooler temperatures.
Tell us what’s new at Georis?
What’s hot this year, and what
should I ask for when stopping in
here?
Our approach has always been to treat
wine as a food rather than an alcoholic
beverage. Our Malbec is a hot property
right now, and our “les Abeilles” Rosé
(Cabernet Franc) is a favorite. If you’re
coming by, ask for the “lavender” label
Chardonnay. Lastly, of course, our elegant estate reds have been produced
since 1984 and are a favorite of locals
and visitors alike.
There are many reasons why
Wine Enthusiast magazine
named Monterey its “top wine
destination” back in 2013,
and the quality of the wine
tops the list. Whether you
choose River Road, Carmel
Valley or Monterey/Carmel —
or all three regions — you’ll
leave with a true sense of the
character, history and excellence that surrounds Monterey County wines.
HAPPY SIPPING!
A Unique Shopping Experience with More Than 50 Shops, Galleries and Restaurants, Surrounded by Lushgardens.
ART & JEWELRY
Burton Art Studio
Fine art paintings of
California.
Lucky Snaps
The Interchangable
charm for everyone
Carmel Visual Arts
Art Photography
workshops, classes
and exhibitions
Michael Sherman
Jewelry Designs
Signature styles
and one of a kind
originals.
Jewel Boutique
Designer jewelry by
international artists.
Smallsea: Metropolis
In Miniature
A dollhouse museum.
DINING
Allegro Gourmet
Pizzeria
The essence of
simple country Italian
cooking.
Carmel Valley Coffee
Roasting Co.
Hand-crafted
Certified Organic
coffees.
Erik’s Deli Cafe
Sandwiches with
character always
fresh and delicious.
Soban Grill & Bar
High End, Well-being
Korean Cuisine
Flanagan’s Irish Pub
A fun and relaxing
atmosphere offering
Fish-n-Chips,
Burgers, Irish Stew,
and much more.
From Scratch
Homemade breakfast
and lunch. Selected
by Rand McNally
as the “Best of the
Road”!
Lafayette Bakery
French bakery
Lugano Swiss Bistro
Authentic Swiss
cuisine is only a
yodel away!
Pieces Of Heaven
The premier
chocolatier on the
Monterey Peninsula.
Robata Sushi Grill &
Sake Bar
Authentic Japanese
cuisine featuring
fresh sushi, tempura
and delicious
entrees.
Tran’s Noodle House
Vietnamese food
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Bay Bikes Of Carmel
Elite specialized dealer
offering bicycle sales,
bicycle rentals, bike
deliveries, bicycle parts
and service.
Bellagio
Full service hair
salon for ladies and
gentlemen.
Be Well Personal
Training
Individualized movement
solution.
energy, strength and
flexibility…for any age.
Om Studios
Yoga, from Heated
Power Vinyasa classes
to Restorative Yin Yoga.
Rocket Fitness
Specialized Personal
Training.
Skin Care By The Sea
Facials, waxing, fine
cosmetics & specialty gifts.
Cristina’s Champu
Connection
Full service hair salon.
Marielle
Salon specializing
in Japanese hair
straightening, color
correction, and
precision haircuts.
Marianne Ramsey
Massage Therapist
Mindful Movement
Facilitating the body’s
natural state of optimal
Big Sur International
Marathon
World-class marathon
and related fun events
that raise funds for
contribution to
local charities.
Carmel Music Studio
Recording Studio
Fathom Consulting
Ocean and coastal
law policy
The Print Shop Carmel
Full service design,
printing, publishing and
copy center.
Coast & Valley Rentals
Full Service Property
Management Services
Studio Carver
Creating projects which
fully integrate the needs
of our clients with the
nature of their sites.
Yolanda’s
Contemporary hair
styling, hairweaving,
make-up, manicures
& pedicures for men and
women.
Frank Bruno Builder, Inc.
Carmel Custom Home
Builder
Studio Schicketanz
Architecture and Design
Firm
ZIBA Beauty Lounge
A full service hair studio.
Footsie
Flirty women’s shoes,
fine leather apparel,
and accessories.
AD
Carmel Laser Aesthetics
State-of-the-art
aesthetic procedures.
SERVICES
Totally You Salon
One of Carmel’s largest
full service salons.
Dr. Kimberly Rousseau
Chiropractor
Glace Cryotherapy
Promoting self-healing
of the body, feel good
look good
FASHION
Mon Amie
A Consignment
Boutique
Hedi’s Shoes
Dress & casual for
men & women.
Mary’s Boutique
Ladies’ classic
and contemporary
clothing &
accessories.
Patrick James Fine
Clothing
Men’s West Coast
Classic Clothing
EVENTS
Barnyard Food & Wine Ferrari Event
May 23, 2015
August 15th, 2015
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m Time: 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Visit our website for current, most
up-to-date calendar of events
HOME
Elliott Frame Design
Art and framing
Johnny’s Garden
SPECIALTY
Tempel’s Of Carmel
Florist
Flowers, plants, gifts
Highway 1 South, left onto Carmal Valley Road on Carmel Rancho Boulevard. Right again at Carmel Rancho Lane,
1 block to FREE & Ample Parking
PLAY | SUMMER 2015 11
BY MIKE HALE
M
ost airports provide a mediocre dining experience, as stressed travelers suffer impersonal service and
lackluster food from franchised restaurants. At Monterey
Regional Airport, locals, celebrities and traveling golfers alike enjoy a family-owned restaurant overlooking the
runway.
It’s called The Golden Tee, and George Reta opened this
hidden gem nearly 50 years ago. Today his son Michael
Reta runs the joint along with his partner Melinda Scardina. Michael started working as an employee in his twenties, and came on board in 1975 as an official partner (he
and Scardina have been co-owners together since 2006,
12
PLAY | SUMMER 2015
IS A READERS CHOICE
WINNER
when the elder Reta retired). Scardina was originally a
staff member at the restaurant for more than 10 years, and
later she, owned Gifts N More retail inside the airport.
The restaurant has nothing to do with the video game
Golden Tee. “We may have missed the boat on that PR
opportunity,” Michael jokes. The idea for the name originated in Sacramento, because George Reta was running
a restaurant there called the Golden Tee. George’s cousin
Lou Menendez was delivering between The Monterey
Airport and the post office, and owned a smoke shop
on Alvarado Street. Lou got the airport board to go see
the Sacramento restaurant and approve of the concept
operation. They liked it, offered George and Lou a
lease, and the rest is history.
Most airport restaurants rely 100 percent on travelers,
mostly because they are located inside secure zones.
The Golden Tee is on the second floor of the airport,
outside security gates and Michael Reta says that “85
percent of our valuable business comes from locals.”
But there also have been surprising guests, according
to Reta, such as: actor Sean Connery (“he could really
hold a room; he’s quite impressive”); magician David
Copperfield (“he made our food disappear”); actor Paul
Newman (“when he was racing, we’d see him a lot);
and of course the golf crowd (“Fuzzy Zoeller, Jack Nicklaus and some of the Crosby’s would stop by before or
after golf”).
While the jet timeshare concept, and private party
flying made celebrity sightings less common at the airport, locals still make it a pit stop. “Clint Eastwood was
a regular still makes and occasional drop-in from time
to time,” Reta said. “We also take care of the Blue Angels and U.S. Thunderbirds (flight crew) when they’re in
town.”
The annual California International Airshow Salinas
brings impressive fly-bys and the second-floor perch
with bay windows provide guests a nice view. “Even as
the years have changed, you never know what special
aircraft will come by,” Reta said.
The observation deck next to the restaurant provides
a great view to the runway. Once inside, there are wide
views of the Monterey Bay and on clear days the Santa
Cruz skyline is visible.
The smaller dining room becomes a prime spot to make
deals and swap local gossip, and the nearby U-shaped
bar provides a venue for locals to hold court. Others
prefer the spacious main dining room, which has more
tables along the windows.
The Golden Tee is open daily, starting with breakfast
that’s served until 1 a.m. There is an all-day a la carte
menu, and lunch includes the usual comfort food, along
with specials such as sand dabs, Monterey crab BLT
and The Golden Tee steak sandwich. Dinner brings
items such as classic prime rib, calamari and sand
dabs combo and even liver and onions.
Reta recommends everything on the menu. “All the
food is good, but our local favorite is still our burger,” he
said. “When it doubt, try the bacon cheeseburger.”
Because airport business is unpredictable, and it’s
tougher to staff based on smaller number of commercial flights, Reta and Scardina rely on local business to
stay afloat. “The locals support us more than ever,” said
Reta, who noted that parking is free in the short-term lot
with validation.
PLAY | SUMMER 2015 13
H
N A
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EAD
MONTEREY CAR WEEK & CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
S C H E D U L E P O W E R E D B Y S E E M O N T E R E Y. C O M
A
tradition going back more than half a century, the
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is where the world’s
collector cars meet and compete. Only the 200 best
collector cars in the world roll onto the legendary 18th
fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, and only a handful
of those will receive official recognition for style, technical merit and historical accuracy. But the Concours is
only the final event in a packed week celebrating the
classic automobile.
All over Monterey County, classic cars take to streets,
golf courses, parks and the world-renowned Mazda
Raceway Laguna Seca, surrounding visitors with automobiles from yesteryear.
CARMEL CONCOURS ON THE AVENUE
Carmel’s annual event will be held Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sixteen
blocks of downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea will showcase more than 175 domestic
and foreign collector vehicles.
CONCORSO ITALIANO
This legendary event makes its home at Black Horse Golf Course in the hills above
Seaside. Celebrate all things Italian, with displays of Italian fashion and art and
great Italian food and music, as well as more than 800 Italian cars. This year’s
event is Saturday, Aug. 15 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
THE LITTLE CAR SHOW
Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove lines up all sorts of tiny vehicles during Auto
Week. The Little Car Show is Wednesday, Aug. 12 from noon-5 p.m.
MCCALL’S MOTORWORKS REVIVAL
On Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 5 p.m., the exclusive Motorworks Revival takes center
stage at the Monterey Jet Center from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The VIP event showcases
some of the best in food, wine and, of course, automobiles.
LEGENDS OF THE AUTOBAHN
Legends of the Autobahn plays host to beautiful BMWs of all ages, as well as
entrants from the Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi clubs that will share this
event. The concours is Friday, Aug. 14 inside the Nicklaus Club at Tehama.
Judging and displays are limited to members of the four respective clubs, but the
public is welcome to walk the grounds and enjoy the beautiful array of German
cars.
WERKS REUNION: A PORSCHE GATHERING
The Porsche Club of America starts a new tradition in 2014 with the inaugural
Werks Reunion. The premier Porsche event takes over Rancho Canada Golf Club
on Friday, Aug. 14 from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. The show will feature the latest Porsches,
special vehicle presentations, celebrity guests, and a surprise or two.
THE QUAIL, A MOTORSPORTS GATHERING
Enjoy luxury cars and view the finest in automotive design at The Quail, A
Motorsports Gathering on Friday, Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Themes include
coachbuilt Ferraris, supercars, sports and racing motorcycles and more.
PACIFIC GROVE CONCOURS AUTO RALLY
On Friday, Aug. 14, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove
will feel like a trip back in time during the Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally. More
than 200 cars will participate at this event, which is free for spectators. At 6 p.m.
cars will cruise the streets of Pacific Grove; at 7 p.m., participants and spectators
can enjoy a barbecue at Chautauqua Hall.
14
PLAY | SUMMER 2015
Auto shows and rallies throughout Monterey County offer
car fans the chance to see historic and rare vehicles
up close, with peeks both inside the car and under the
hood.
CONCOURS D’LEMONS
Craving Pintos, Pacers and Corvairs instead of Porsches, Ferraris and RollsRoyces? For an auto show that is the reverse of everything the Concours d’Elegance
holds dear, head to Concours d’LeMons on Saturday, Aug. 15 at Laguna Grande
Park in Seaside from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
THE BARNYARD FERRARI EVENT
The Barnyard Shopping Village in Carmel is sprinkled with bright and sleek
Ferraris on Saturday, Aug. 15. From 4-7 p.m. spectators can lust over dozens
of Ferraris, along with great local wines, plenty of delicious food, and live music
among the Barnyard’s signature gardens.
PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE
The banal term “auto show” hardly befits the most elegant exhibition of classic
automotives in the world. Only the finest 200 classic cars will be allowed onto the
18th fairway at Pebble Beach Golf Links during this event. The culmination of a
week of classic automotives, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance will feature
Ruxton, steam cars, Rolls-Royce Phantom IV and Phantom V, Tatra and Eastern
European motorcycles. Gates open to spectators at 10:30 am on Sunday, Aug. 16.
Purchase tickets on the official Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance website.
DRIVING EVENTS
ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION
While seeing classic cars on a golf course may be a treat, watching them compete
on one of the world’s finest racetracks is a can’t-miss experience. See historic
cars in motion at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway
Laguna Seca. Watch the races on Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 13-16 from 8:30 a.m.
until 4:30 p.m. each day. Tickets can be purchased at the Mazda Raceway Laguna
Seca website.
PEBBLE BEACH TOUR D’ELEGANCE
Spectators on roads around Pebble Beach and Carmel-by-the-Sea will be
transported back to the past as classic cars participating in the Pebble Beach Tour
d’Elegance drive by on Thursday, Aug. 13. The tour will depart Pebble Beach at 8
a.m. and follow 17-Mile Drive and Highway 1 to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and
ending at Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The cars will be displayed from
noon to 2 p.m. on Ocean Avenue, and then will return to Pebble Beach. For some
of these vehicles, successful completion of the Tour will be their key to a win in
Sunday’s Concours.
AUCTIONS
VISITORS WITH DEEP POCKETS WHO WANT TO DO MORE THAN LOOK
AT THE CARS CAN ATTEND AUCTIONS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.
MECUM MUSCLE CARS AND MORE
The Hyatt Regency Monterey hosts muscle cars, motorcycles and more during the
Mecum Auction. The general public is invited to view items up for sale on Aug.
13-15.
RUSSO AND STEELE
Sports and Muscle in Monterey by Russo and Steele takes over the waterfront
of Fisherman’s Wharf Aug. 14-15. Previews open on Thursday, Aug. 13 and the
auctions will be held Aug. 14-15.
RICK COLE AUCTION
New to Monterey Auto Week is the Rick Cole Auction at the Monterey Marriott in
downtown Monterey. The general public is invited to view items up for sale Aug.
13-15.
BONHAMS & BUTTERFIELDS AUCTION
One of the largest and oldest auctions take place at Quail Lodge Golf Club on
Aug. 13-14. Spectators can view and bid on rare automobiles, fine art and antique
pieces.
RM AUCTIONS’ SPORTS & CLASSICS OF MONTEREY
Fine classic cars and unique sports cars, including a dedicated Ford-themed
auction, will be auctioned at RM Auctions’ Sport & Classics of Monterey at the
Portola Hotel & Spa, Aug. 14-15. In total, more than 200 investment cars will be
auctioned off. Preview passes are $40; a $300 bidder registration includes two
preview passes, two auction passes and an auction catalog.
PEBBLE BEACH AUCTIONS PRESENTED BY GOODING & COMPANY
The Pebble Beach Auction is one of the premier automotive auctions in the world
and has set many world records. The auction itself takes place on Aug. 15-16,
but window-shoppers can admire the breathtaking displays of automotive magic
beginning on Aug. 12.
ADDYOUR SPECIAL EVENT
TO OUR CLASSIC CAR WEEK MAGAZINE
coming this AUGUST
Contact Dan Krolczyk, (831) 726-4343
[email protected]
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Caraccioli Cellars tasting room sales associate Brooke Pashley serves
Bryan and Heather Dalton of Arizona a sample a 2014Rose of Pinot
Noir in Carmel on Wednesday. The wine is made with grapes from the
Escolle Vineyard outside Gonzales. Photo by David Royal
M
BY JASON HOPPIN
onterey County’s reputation doesn’t carry the same
nobility as Napa or Sonoma when it comes to winemaking, but
local vintners believe there’s plenty to be proud of.
California Assembly is likely to pass a bill that recognizes the
region in a way few others in California have been. Aimed
at burnishing the county’s bona fides as a winemaking area,
the bill would require most wines produced here to label that
they’re from Monterey County.
“If we want to be known for the great wine that we’re making
and the great grapes that we grow, we’d better be sure everybody is labeling with Monterey County,” said Kim Stemler,
executive director of the Monterey County Vintners & Growers
Association.
The county has more than 43,000 acres of vineyards, nearly equal to Napa County. There are 56 licensed wineries, 50
tasting rooms, 200 vineyards and the county produces 125 different brands of wine.
In 2013, Wine Enthusiast even named Monterey County one of the “10 Best Wine Travel Destinations” in the world.
Napa County did not make the list that year, nor did any location in France.
Getting the local wine industry to where it is today was a long journey. The county has been growing and shipping
grapes for winemakers for decades, but a 70s-era boom brought production operations home. That’s when big
names like Doug Meador, Rich Smith and Jerry Lohr planted the seeds of their Monterey County wine empires.
But it has definitely arrived. Local winemakers had a $632 million economic impact in 2011, according to the growers’
association, and wine straddles the county’s two preeminent industries — hospitality and agriculture.
The federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau recognizes 230 grape-growing American Viticultural Areas —
more than half of them are in California and several of those in Monterey County. Those designations protect regions
from being usurped for use on inferior wines that are actually grown and bottled elsewhere.
But just a handful of areas have so-called “conjunctive labeling” rules requiring every wine to show where it came
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from. The effort has its roots in a 2000 state effort to clamp down on the misleading use
of the word “Napa” in wine brands, and now includes Napa and Sonoma counties, Lodi
and Paso Robles.
Scott Caraccioli of Carmel’s Caraccioli Cellars said the bill would help consumers
outside the county understand the breadth of the offerings here. People might know of
Arroyo Seco, Carmel Valley and Santa Lucia Highlands, but they don’t know they’re in
the same vicinity.
“I’m proud that my winery and grapes come from Monterey County, and we all should
be. It’s a distinguished area that offers amazing chardonnay and pinot, but a variety of
other varietals that don’t get enough recognition and attention,” Caraccioli said. “… By
kind of unifying the county, I think we’re able to tell that story.”
The county supports a range of grapes, including, in some places, those that like hotter
weather. Fifty-three different types are grown here, and the county produces 7 percent
of the state’s grapes.
But the county overall is known as a cool growing region, defined by the fog that settles
between the Gabilan and Santa Lucia mountains and the wind streaming down the
Salinas Valley.
“It means we can’t grow the same grapes necessarily as Napa, and they can’t grow the
same grapes we can,” Stemler said.
That helps make Monterey County unique, since grapes here take a longer time to develop. Chardonnays and pinot noirs, both of which are thin-skinned, do particularly well,
and pinots from the Santa Lucia Highlands have a particularly fine reputation, Stemler
said.
Monterey
The branding effort is backed by the association and has widespread support, though
Stemler acknowledged some members are resistant to any kind of government regulation.
The bill gives vintners until 2019 to comply with the new rules, allowing them to label
wines as “Monterey County” or simply “Monterey” if they fall within that viticultural area.
It applies to wines produces here with at least 75 percent Monterey County grapes.
The bill is likely headed to a Assembly floor vote next week before moving on to the
Senate, and is not expected to face opposition.
Assemblymember Mark Stone, D-Scotts Valley, represents Monterey and is carrying
the bill for the growers’ association. He has been joined by every state lawmaker with
districts that include Monterey County — Assemblymember Luis Alejo, D-Watsonville,
Senate Majority Leader Bill Monning, D-Carmel, and Sen. Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres.
“Winemaking is an important and unique sector of the Monterey County economy. It
provides jobs, attracts tourists and produces high-quality beverages that make our
region special,” Stone said. “It’s reasonable to help these small and locally owned businesses keep running successfully, and to take steps to make consumers aware of the
county’s wines.”
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HERE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
© Joann Dost
LIFE HAS ITS ABSOLUTE BEST CHANCE
The Natividad Trauma Center is committed to excellence in
trauma care, which has a profound impact on the residents
of Monterey County and the Central Coast Region.
WHEN MINUTES MEAN SURVIVAL WE STAND READY
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www.natividad.com/trauma