Barrymore Wines give Monterey County wines star power.

Drew Barrymore started acting at the ripe old age of 11 months (when she appeared in an ad), long before she, Steven Spielberg and hoodie-wearing E.T. made film history when she was 7. She would go on to star in everything from Charlie’s Angels to 50 First Dates, and deserves more credit than she gets for co-producing and acting in decidedly non-romcom fare like like the visionary cult hit Donnie Darko.

She also merits attention for something the smells like a vanity project but proves more legit than many might guess.

Barrymore Wines is a partnership with Carmel Road Winery, and its products include one of the better (and the newest) rosés in the region, and an above-average Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir, at a reasonable price point ($15-$23). Their tasting room is the newest in Carmel, behind a cute Dutch door in the Pine Inn courtyard on Lincoln between Ocean and Sixth (noon-7pm daily, 624-1036). It debuted this fall, right around when Barrymore’s memoir Wildflower was released to the delight of her legion loyal fans.

The Weekly tracked down Carmel Road winemaker Kris Kato and Barrymore and asked after their practices and preferences. Here’s what they had to say:

Weekly: Take me through what you’re proudest of with your three varietals.

Kris Kato: Carmel Road specializes in cool climate varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Riesling. The three wines made in collaboration with Drew fit very well into the overall style of Carmel Road. The Pinot Grigio was our first wine together and really stems from her early passion for wine. We try to make enjoyable and approachable wines that still have layers and complexity. Specifically, this wine was made to enjoy with friends and family and really highlight those special and everyday gatherings.

The Pinot Noir really had inspiration from all over the world. We tried to pull in attributes from various regions and had a blast trying many different wines. The Drew’s blend Pinot Noir has a great combination of old world and new world. Spice and earthiness with soft and pretty aromatics.

The rosé we just launched is amazing and it has been fun introducing people to it. Rosé is a difficult wine to make well, and a tremendous amount of hard work went into this one. Every aspect was toiled over, including packaging, design, color. It’s a very delicate wine and is perfect for spring and summer. I’ve enjoyed all the wines we’ve made together, but this one has been especially gratifying.

Your branding includes the line, “Wine is about the journey.” Can you pull that apart a little bit?

KK: Making wine is a long process and requires a lot of patience and persistence. Unlike most other agriculture products, you only harvest grapes once per year. From the start of the growing season until a wine is released can be well over two years. It’s an extremely creative process and starts with an idea, defining style, and then execution. Once you bottle, it’s on to the next vintage. Definitely a lot of pressure, but it keeps things exciting and fresh.

Drew Barrymore: The journey to me is tasting, cataloguing and studying. Wine was always something I loved, but I didn’t know the details like I do now. I have an understanding with my passion. I have learned so much. Applying yourself to things you love makes you love it more. And if you can do in life what you love, then you are blessed beyond belief.

How did that journey take you to Monterey and the Carmel Road team?

KK: I’ve always had a passion for cool climate varieties and specifically Pinot Noir. Monterey is an amazing wine-growing region and still a bit under the radar. There are amazing wines coming from this region and I’m happy to help enhance awareness of the area.

DB: I was making wine in Italy and I am a California girl. So I was excited to start making wine at home. The Jackson Family and The Carmel Road team were a great fit. Kris and I have really loved our process and he is the best partner. We both really care and every aspect of making wine with this whole group is a true pleasure.

How do you differentiate between a real wine passion and a pretender’s?

KK: Wine is such a big part of my life and it’s not really about which label I’m drinking or how much it costs. Wine makes life better and it’s all about bringing enjoyment. Nothing beats sharing great wine and having some good laughs with friends or family.

DB: Gosh, I don’t know. I always try to not act like I know more than I do. Wine is the greatest thing to learn about because it is such a beautiful culture and lifestyle. And not be taken for granted.

What does good wine do that nothing else can?

KK: Great wine really taps into memories and emotions. Most people remember the wine, but more importantly where they were, who they were with and what they were doing. The memory association is pretty powerful.

Making wine can also give you an amazing sense of pride. Walking into a store, bottle shop or restaurant and seeing something you made is incredible.

DB: I think it is also such a great gift. When you want to show your love and thoughtfulness, wine is such a celebratory way to do that.

~ QUICKBITES ~

• Italian-born Jason Balestrieri served as the executive chef of Cantinetta Luca in Carmel (625-6500) from its start, when it was voted Best New Restaurant byWeekly readers. It went on to earn the vote for Best Restaurant in Carmel several times thereafter. As of Sept. 15, he’s heading off. More on the blog, including word on his replacement (Christopher Vacca) and the new GM and assistant GM coming with him (Janet Elarmo and Raquel Bagatini).
• Cool new spirits program happening at Tarpy’s Roadhouse with 40 top-grade liquors. More on the blog, www.mcweekly.com/edible.
• The Wild Feathers headline the Soberanes Fire fundraiser 2-6pm Sunday, Aug. 28, at Folktale Winery & Vineyard on ($75, SoberanesFireHelp.org). Other artists include Mary Loves Molly (frontman Dane Edmondson lost his Palo Colorado home in the fire) and Chile Colorado. A bunch of outstanding local wine outfits, breweries and restaurants join in helping make the benefit go.
• “Italian Night” at Cibo Ristorante Italiano (649-8151) works as the annual fundraiser for Festa Italia Santa Rosalia Foundation 6-9pm Wednesday, Sept. 7. Entertainment from Mike Marotta Jr., Dave Dally, Mickey McPhillips, Erasmo Aiello and David Marzetti. Cibo’s $3 happy hour runs from 4 – 7pm, too.
• The so-called “fresh market” concept at Dolores & Seventh in Carmel, recast as a sit-down restaurant, was sent back to the Carmel Planning Commission. Details on the blog.
• Bon Ton L’Roy’s Lighthouse Smokehouse in New Monterey (375-6958) continues to host local and touring rock – and bluegrass-leaning acts – with no cover – and simultaneously do some of the best Southern food in the area: shrimp étouffée, gulf prawns smothered in a spicy Cajun sauce, catfish piquant, gumbo, plus my favorite club sandwich in Monterey. New burger with a grind of sirloin, short rib and chuck.
• Look for the recipe to the 2016 Great Garlic Cook-Off winner on the blog soon.
• Drew Barrymore: “There’s a tremendous difference between alone and lonely.”