Domaine Carneros is a winery located in the Carneros region of Napa Valley, California. It was founded in 1987 by Champagne Taittinger, a prestigious French champagne house, with the goal of producing high-quality sparkling wine in the traditional Champagne method.
The winery’s vineyards are located on the rolling hills of the Carneros region, which is known for its cool climate and chalky soil, both of which are conducive to growing top-quality sparkling wine grapes. The vineyards are planted with a variety of grape varieties, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, which are the three primary grapes used in Champagne.
In the winemaking process, the grapes are hand-picked and carefully sorted before being gently pressed to extract the juice. The juice is then fermented in small batches, using a combination of traditional and modern techniques. After fermentation, the wine is aged on its lees (dead yeast cells) for a period of time, which adds complexity and depth to the wine.
Once the wine has reached its desired level of maturity, it is bottled and undergoes a second fermentation process, known as “méthode champenoise,” in which the wine is aged in the bottle for several more months or even years. This process creates the bubbles and sparkling character that are characteristic of sparkling wine.
Domaine Carneros produces a range of sparkling wines, including its signature Brut, a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier; a Rosé Brut, made with a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; and a Brut Le Rêve, a more rare and limited-edition wine made from 100% Pinot Noir.
In addition to its sparkling wines, Domaine Carneros also produces a variety of still wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Merlot.
Throughout its history, Domaine Carneros has received numerous accolades and awards for its wines, including numerous 90+ point scores from wine critics and a spot on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines list. It is considered one of the premier wineries in the Carneros region and a leader in the production of sparkling wine in California.
Visitors to Domaine Carneros can tour the winery and vineyards, taste a selection of wines in the tasting room, and enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant, which features dishes made with ingredients sourced from local farms and purveyors. The winery also offers a variety of special events and experiences throughout the year, including food and wine pairings, winemaking classes, and live music.
Add Review
Read More Reviews
Reese
2 weeks agoMy visit to Domaine Carneros was absolutely lovely. The staff was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable—they took their time explaining each wine in our tasting flight, which made the experience both fun and informative. The tasting room had a calm and elegant atmosphere with beautiful vineyard views through the windows. It felt peaceful and relaxing the entire time. The wines were excellent, especially the sparkling ones, and the small cheese and snack platter was a nice surprise (I honestly can’t remember if I ordered it or not!). The place was clearly popular, but it never felt crowded. I’ll definitely come back again—and yes, I’m including a video because pictures alone can’t capture how nice it was!
Deziyer McCloud
2 weeks agoGreat experience. I strongly suggest a tasting room reservation as this place is usually packed. And aim for late afternoon, this is when things slow down a bit. Bring a camera or charge your phone because there are great photo opportunities as you make your way up the stair. Yes, I just said stairs, and there are quite a few of them, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Everyone was able to choose their own flight selection, we paired it with the caviar flight and charcuterie board. And the food tasted amazing. We bought the mimosa sugar cubes on our way in and trust, they helped with some of the flight samples. The atmosphere was warm and inviting (we opted for the indoor seating, and lucked up and landed a spot next to the blazing fireplace). Overall we had a great time, and will definitely be visiting again soon. If you have never been this is definitely one to add to your bucket list.
Ararat Mnatsakanyan
3 weeks agoWe went with the Grande Tasting, which turned out to be the perfect choice for us. It includes two sparkling wines and two reds. Both the wines and food were excellent, the service was attentive, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. I’d recommend making a reservation in advance.
SPICY
2 weeks agoBubble is sensory experience. The establishment offers a sophisticated European atmosphere with a lively ambiance. It's highly recommended as a first stop for wine tasting in the region, offering an extensive selection of wines, ranging from excellent to exceptional. The 2017 Le Reve Blane is particularly noteworthy. CEO Remi provided impeccable hospitality. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Eduardo Sánchez-Ubanell
2 months agoDomaine Carneros is a beautiful spot for wine tasting with friends. The chateau is huge with a wrap around deck. We came in on a sunny day with a group of 7 (reservation ahead of time) and had the option to sit inside or out. Even at 10:30am, they were quite full. Our server, Diego, was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the wines. We appreciate the range of tasting options, starting at $45. They’re known for their bubbly wines and have a few different options to cater to any wine enthusiast. We ordered a charcuterie board, which was a bit small for the price, but other than that, we absolutely loved the experience. You can’t go wrong with picking Domaine Carneros for a wine tasting!