It started as an idea to create a wine that was positive in its message and provided moderation in the glass. Countless taste tests later, Sunny With a Chance of Flowers was born.
Zero sugar, 85 calories per glass, low alcohol and flat-out delicious, it seems too good to be true. But Sunny is the real deal – better for you and mindfully made from grapes to glass. Sustainably farmed and produced by our family-owned winery in Monterey County, California, Sunny is made for those who revel in a full glass and a healthy pour! Splash some positivity into your glass with Sunny.
With our estate vineyards planted to 39 different varieties located in 4 distinct climatic zones, Scheid Vineyards is uniquely positioned to craft an intriguing portfolio of wines. While Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are considered the stars of the Monterey appellation, our other top varietals are Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah. We have the luxury to experiment and be bold, as exhibited by our Pinot Noir Clone Series where we bottle each of four clones separately, our Appassimiento Cabernet Sauvignon where the grapes are dried on the vine, and our Closing Bell port comprised of estate grown Tinto Cão, Touriga Nacional and Tempranillo. We also produce limited amounts of less mainstream varietals such as Albariño, Pinot Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Sangiovese and Tannat, just to name a few.
Headed by Director of Winemaking Dave Nagengast, the wines of Scheid Vineyards have won numerous accolades and awards. In short, our eponymous label showcases the best of the variety, vintage and appellation from our estate vineyards, including special bottlings and age-worthy reserve wines built for cellaring.
Very Dark Red is effortlessly bold, captivating the senses with an inherent confidence that draws you in. Slightly mysterious, yet unexpectedly approachable, this robust red blend reveals new layers of depth and personality with each lingering sip.
Metz Road produces small-lot, single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from our Riverview Vineyard. These wines were born from the passion to express the unique terroir of this single vineyard site by crafting wines which are authentic in style and exemplify the best of these classic, elegant varietals. Set along the eastern benchlands of Monterey’s Salinas Valley, this cold-climate vineyard owes its vinous personality to decomposed granite soils, morning fog and strong winds off Monterey Bay some 40 miles to the north. The vines are farmed for ultra-premium quality using sustainable farming practices. Then the grapes are handpicked at optimum ripeness and hand-sorted before the juice is fermented in small lots and the wine is aged in 100% French oak barrels. Innovative winemaking techniques including in-vineyard fermentations with wild yeast helps preserve the intrinsic character of the Riverview Vineyard. Our Metz Road mantra is gentle handling and minimal intervention, allowing the distinctive terroir of a single vineyard site to shine.
To do this, we source our grapes from locals best suited to growing each varietal. As such, our moniker acknowledges those climatic qualities. Fog is representative of the cooler climates, where Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive. Light is illustrative of the warmer climates that provide the heat needed to ripen bolder varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon. Leveraging optimal locations for each varietal gives our winemaking team the ability to craft beautiful wines.
Our wines are a true expression of the area, all packed with luscious fruit flavors that pair perfectly with every moment fit to raise a glass. Paddle out to open water. Hike to see the view, and freestyle the first snowfall of the year.
Let adventure take the wheel and then celebrate well, the Ryder Estate way.
Most experts recognize Monterey County as one of the most beautiful and diverse winegrowing regions in the world, encompassing a wide range of climate, terrain and soil types. We are also blessed with one of the longest growing seasons in California due to the maritime influence of the Monterey Bay. Our winemaking team takes full advantage of these regional characteristics and the exceptional fruit produced in each of our unique certified sustainable vineyards. The result? The District 7 portfolio is comprised of a rich and refreshing Chardonnay, an elegant Pinot Noir, and a complex Cabernet Sauvignon that are all fruit-forward, true to varietal character and, most importantly, delicious.
District 7. It is Monterey.
The legend of Stokes’ Ghost began in 1833, when British sailor James Stokes jumped ship in Monterey with cases of medicine stolen from the boat. He opened a downtown pharmacy and launched a thriving medical practice as “Doctor Stokes”. Despite killing a significant percentage of his patients with his ministrations, he landed a commission as the personal physician to California Governor Jose Figueroa. Within a year, the governor was dead.
The phony physician was astonishingly successful for someone so poor at his job. He grew quite wealthy, bought a lovely adobe home in Monterey, married the widow of one of his patients, became a parent, and served for a time as mayor of Monterey. Eventually the gig was up. Stokes’ sons confronted him of his devious deeds and he promptly ingested poison, falling lifeless at their feet. His home, Stokes Adobe, still stands and is a Monterey landmark. To this day, visitors report seeing the ghostly figure of a man dressed in 1800s garb climbing the stairs and passing through walls. This is Stokes’ Ghost.
A dramatic story fit for this heart-stopping variety, Stokes’ Ghost Petite Sirah is brimming with black cherries, blackberries and cassis flavors. The grapes in this wine are harvested at night in the southernmost reaches of the Monterey appellation, an ideal growing locale. Full-bodied with balanced tannins and a finish that lingers on the palate, this rich, deep wine is just what the doctor ordered.
The undulating foothills surrounding our first organic vineyard provide a splendid backdrop to a single Blue Oak that stands at its center. Its gnarled trunk houses a resident bee colony, the species a fitting emblem of our certified organic vineyard. The natural beauty and tranquility make you feel as if time hasn’t touched this place. It has stood just like this, in all its grandeur, for thousands of years.