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Santa Lucia Highlands Winemaker Technical Tasting – April 7–8, 2026
Carmel Mission Inn, 3665 Rio Road, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA
The Santa Lucia Highlands Winemaker Technical Tasting is a 1.5-day workshop designed to bring SLH winemakers together for focused evaluation, open dialogue, and shared professional development. Built around flights of bottled wines and barrel samples, the program encourages candid discussion of technique, seasonal challenges, climate impacts, and the adjustments required to craft exceptional Pinot Noir in the Santa Lucia Highlands.
Moderated and supported by Winemaker Adam Lee and Grower/Vintner Steve McIntyre and a technical expert from a wine industry laboratory, this is a collaborative, winemaker-to-winemaker environment—an opportunity to exchange honest input, compare real-world approaches, and strengthen a network of peers who support one another throughout the year. Our collective goal is to elevate the quality, consistency, and identity of SLH wines while deepening the bonds that define our community.
An evening dinner featuring library wines will bring together winemakers and local winegrowers, creating space for deeper collaboration and continued partnership between vineyard and cellar.
This event is exclusively for Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans member wineries. Registration is limited to two attendees per winery; attendees must be a winemaker or owner/principal.
Attendees will contribute one barrel sample 2025 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir wine for evaluation and discussion in flight tastings and one bottled 2024 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, a library wine from the SLH (yours or someone else’s), to accompany dinner and a wine for the winemaker/grower mixer. You may also contribute an experimental SLH Pinot Noir, from a vineyard or winemaking trial if desired.
Event Information
Your registration includes attendance for one winemaker/principal, continental breakfast, lunch and dinner on Tuesday and breakfast on Wednesday. After your registration is confirmed, you will be emailed a link to discount room block rates at the Carmel Mission Inn.
Additional details including detailed agenda, required lab testing, wine shipping and wine quantity requirements will be provided after registration and confirmation.
For more information, please contact:
Gwen McGill – gwen@santaluciahighlands.com | 707-337-9018