chalone vineyard and tasting room

after reading a very nice review of this winery and tour and tasting wine food and travel magazine 4 summer and fall edition 2014, we decided on a Sunday afternoon to take the long drive there from Monterrey. We arrived and there was a sign that said "closed to the public" and the gate was locked. We found this to be quite disturbing since the magazine said that it is open on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 to 5. It was a long drive and even though it's a pretty drive up to pinnacles state park, don't bother

Chalone Vinery & Tasting room used to be a really nice destination. And a "destination" it is, located in an isolated area, away from all the other wineries in the vicinity. I enjoyed going there occasionally and I loved their wines and I was a wine club member. I believe it was privately owned back then. The tasting room closed and the winery was bought out by some big company. They sent me a coupon for 25% off of an order for my birthday and I was looking forward to using it at the tasting room that was reopening after several years of closure. However, when I inquired about it (email & phone), before driving the long way out there, I was told I could only use it for online orders and would have to pay shipping. Interesting since the coupon explicitly said " mention or present this coupon....". When I told the person on the phone this, they wanted me to send them a copy of the coupon that they sent to me!! I will tell you what I told them - there is a lot of good wine/wineries out there so why would I do business with one that won't honor their own offers. I have moved on, and I suggest you skip this one too. It's a shame when big business takes over and the right hand has no idea what they left hand is doing. Visit Hahn, Pessagno, Bookenoegen, Wrath, or Talbot wineries (to name a few) instead!