Cambiata Winery Offers Unique Monterey Albariño

Winemaker Eric Laumann produces offbeat grape varieties at his Monterey winery.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Cambiata Winery, located in the cool, coastal Monterey region, is known for producing wines from lesser-known grape varieties like Albariño and Tannat. Winemaker Eric Laumann, who also makes wine under the Ludwig Winery label, has a penchant for experimenting with unconventional grape choices after years of producing bulk Chardonnay.

Why it matters

Cambiata's focus on unique grape varieties in a region better known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir highlights the diversity of California's wine offerings and the creativity of winemakers willing to explore beyond the state's most popular grapes.

The details

The 2008 Cambiata Albariño features a rich, delicious nose with notes of pineapple, pear, and honeysuckle. While the wine seemed to lack acidity upon initial tasting, the flavors lingered and the palate proved to be floral with lime zest and good minerality.

  • The Cambiata Albariño is from the 2008 vintage.

The players

Cambiata Winery

A winery located in the cool, coastal Monterey region of California that is known for producing wines from lesser-known grape varieties.

Eric Laumann

The winemaker at Cambiata Winery who also produces wine under the Ludwig Winery label. He has a penchant for experimenting with unconventional grape choices after years of producing bulk Chardonnay.

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What they’re saying

“26 years of making bulk Cardonnay drove him to make wines of which only he had to approve. You go, Eric. Let your freak flag fly!”

— Randy Fuller, Author (nowandzin.com)

The takeaway

Cambiata Winery's focus on unique grape varieties like Albariño and Tannat in the Monterey region highlights the diversity and creativity within California's wine industry, as winemakers push beyond the state's most popular grapes to offer consumers new and exciting wine experiences.