Monterey County heads toward a culinary renaissance in 2023

Monterey, Calif., December 8, 2022 – Monterey County celebrated culinary and wine talent this week with multiple awards granted to Caraccioli Cellars and recognition from MICHELIN Guide California for numerous restaurants throughout the county. During the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2022, Caraccioli Cellars from Santa Lucia Highlands AVA took home three prestigious titles: Best USA Sparkling Wine (2016 Blanc de Blanc) and was awarded two gold awards for Best in Class California Brut Vintage (2016 Brut Cuvée) and Best in Class California Rose Vintage (2016 Brut Rosé). Parlaying off the wine achievements, culinary up-and-comers stand out throughout the county with Coastal Kitchen, the county's newest tasting menu experience by Chef Michael Rotondo located inside the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, Chef Jonny Black's Chez Noir, the latest addition to MICHELIN's recommendations, Chef Michael Chang's forage-centric restaurant Foray, and Maligne, Seaside's elevated restaurant by local mainstay, Chef Klaus Georis.

“The county has a rich history of agriculture and bountiful vineyards, allowing chefs and winemakers a great canvas to draw inspiration,” said Rob O'Keefe, president and CEO of Monterey County CVB. “Monterey County is entering a new wave of excellence, with the longstanding talent being joined by recent transplants who carry esteem, we can see a culinary resurgence on the horizon.”

The agricultural bounty of Monterey County has inspired chefs, winemakers and sommeliers throughout the years. Longstanding notables like Aubergine, Cantinetta Luca, Post Ranch Inn's Sierra Mar and Bernardus Lodge & Spa's Lucia continue to be celebrated by locals and visitors alike. MICHELIN announced the recipients Monday night; Aubergine, helmed by Chef Justin Cogley, maintained its status as a one-star restaurant, while Yafa continues its recognition as a Bib Gourmand. In addition, 15 restaurants are recommended by MICHELIN as must-stops for epicureans throughout Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey, Pebble Beach and Seaside.

“Monterey County is emerging with outstanding dining options and is headed towards becoming a world-class food and wine destination,” stated Chris Sommers, managing director of Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa and MCCVB board member. “We're excited to see how the new chefs and beverage professionals bring their perspective to build upon the foundation that our beloved restaurants established years ago.”

In the world's most prestigious sparkling wine competition, The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2022 (CSWWC), Caraccioli Cellars earned three placements out of the 1,000 sparkling wines submitted from 21 countries:

• Best USA Sparkling Wine, Best Californian, GOLD, Best in Class California Blanc de Blancs Vintage: Caraccioli 2016 Blanc de Blanc, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, United States (75cl, 12%)
  • 100% Chardonnay (White, 6g RS)
• GOLD, Best in Class California Brut Vintage: Caraccioli 2016 Brut Cuvée, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, United States (75cl, 12%)
  • 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir (White, 6g RS)
• GOLD, Best in Class California Rosé Vintage: Caraccioli 2016 Brut Rosé, Santa Lucia Highlands, California, United States (75cl, 12%)
  • 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir (Rosé, 6g RS)

For downloadable images, please see our media gallery here, or reach out to Media@SeeMonterey for additional images.

For more information on Monterey County's culinary developments and locally procured dining experiences, visit SeeMonterey.com/food-wine

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ABOUT MONTEREY COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (Monterey County CVB) is a 501c6 non-profit organization that drives safe and responsible tourism for Monterey County. Tourism is the largest industry on the Monterey Peninsula and the second largest in the County. Monterey County CVB is a partnership of the hospitality community and local governments that aims to drive business growth through compelling marketing and targeted sales initiatives that maximize the benefits of tourism to its guests, members and the community. Travel spending in Monterey County was $2.5 billion in 2021, supporting 21,600 jobs and generating $264 million in state and local tax revenue that directly benefited the community. For more information, visit www.SeeMonterey.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.