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Monterey Today
By the People, for the People
Dessert Wines: A Sweet Indulgence
Exploring the rich and complex world of dessert wines from California
Published on Feb. 15, 2026
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Wine enthusiast Randy Fuller shares his recommendations for some of the best dessert wines he's sampled, including a Late Harvest Zinfandel from Sapphire Hill, a Marsala from San Antonio Winery, and a Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc from Pessagno Winery. The article highlights the diverse flavors and styles of these sweet, fortified wines that pair perfectly with desserts, cheese, and other indulgences.
Why it matters
Dessert wines offer a unique and sophisticated drinking experience, showcasing the complexity that can be achieved through winemaking techniques like late harvesting and fortification. As the article notes, these wines can be the perfect complement to holiday meals, cheese plates, and other celebratory occasions, making them a valuable addition to any wine lover's repertoire.
The details
The article covers a range of dessert wines from different California producers and appellations, including a Very Late Harvest Zinfandel from Sapphire Hill in Alexander Valley, a Marsala-style wine from San Antonio Winery, a late harvest Chardonnay-Riesling blend from Coquelicot, an Orange Muscat from Kalyra Winery in Santa Ynez Valley, a late harvest Sauvignon Blanc from Pessagno Winery in Monterey, a Muscat blend from Graff Family Vineyards in Chalone, a Carignane dessert wine from Abundance Vineyards, and several Port-style wines from Roxo Port Cellars in Paso Robles. The wines are described in detail, highlighting their unique flavor profiles, production methods, and pairing recommendations.
- The article was published on February 15, 2026.
The players
Art Meripol
A photographer for a national magazine who shared his recommendation of a Sapphire Hill dessert wine with the author.
Sapphire Hill Winery
A winery in Alexander Valley, California that produces a Very Late Harvest Zinfandel dessert wine.
San Antonio Winery
A winery in California that produces a Marsala-style dessert wine.
Coquelicot Winery
A winery that produces a late harvest Chardonnay-Riesling dessert wine.
Kalyra Winery
A winery in the Santa Ynez Valley of California that produces an Orange Muscat dessert wine.
Stephen Pessagno
The winemaker at Pessagno Winery, which produces a late harvest Sauvignon Blanc dessert wine.
Graff Family Vineyards
A Sonoma-based winery that produces a Muscat dessert wine from grapes grown in the Chalone appellation.
Abundance Vineyards
A winery that produces a Carignane-based dessert wine.
Roxo Port Cellars
A Paso Robles producer that specializes in Port-style dessert wines.
Mer Soleil Winery
A winery that produces a late harvest Viognier dessert wine affected by Botrytis cinerea.
What they’re saying
“It was superb. Sweet, dense, intense black fruit, tar ...everything a great dessert wine should be.”
— Art Meripol, Photographer (Email)
The takeaway
This article highlights the rich diversity of dessert wines available from California producers, showcasing a range of grape varieties, production methods, and flavor profiles that can elevate any special occasion or indulgent moment. For wine enthusiasts looking to explore beyond the typical dessert wine suspects, this serves as an excellent guide to discovering new and unique sweet sipping experiences.
