Summer 2024

SALINAS’ NEWEST GOURMET MARKET Joe and Reneé Murillo’s Windmill Market abuts one of the Salinas :alley’s fertile fields, where much of the produce that feeds the nation is grown. Ironically, .oe drives to San *rancisco wholesalers to stock the shelves. “0ocal growers can’t sell a case at a time,” he says. “They ship out pallets.” ,e doesn’t mind. “I’ve been dealing with the markets in San Francisco for 50 years. They’re friends and they know me and know that I’m looking for only the highest Uuality product.” Murillo started working in the grocery busi- ness at age for a 0ucky store, eventually moving into the produce department.“I worked with three guys with 100 years of experience between them. I learned a lot.” The Murillo’s started small, selling pro - duce out of a truck at 115 Monterey Salinas ,ighway before space in the building opened. 2ow, the market offers imported Italian spe - cialties, breads from %d %stra, locally sourced eggs, chef Tony Baker’s Bacon and gourmet wines from local Monterey 'ounty vineyards. Windmill Market offers a tantalizing array of fresh fruits and vegetables from as many local producers as possible. ;ith over year’s e\perience in the natural foods industry, .oe and 6enee are committed to providing the community with natural, healthy food options. For more information, call 831/659-5205. 186 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R 2 0 2 4 Owners of the Windmill Market, Joe and Renee Murillo, have created a destination market just outside of the Salinas city limits on the Monterey Salinas Highway with bread from Ad Astra, locally sourced eggs and wines and much more. Photo: Kelli Uldall food for thought +ourmet Market in Sal inas % Taste of Sici ly on the ;harf Si ster Sommel iers Share the Wor ld of Fine Wine B = M I ',% ) 0 ',%T * I ) 0(