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.
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Mikal Bright
5 months agoAs our final winery stop of the day, we visited Domaine Carneros for a champagne tasting, and it was a perfect ending to our day. The champagne flights we sampled were exquisite, offering unique and delightful flavors. The cheese board and smoked salmon were outstanding, and they were a perfect match for the sparkling wines. The quality of the food and wine truly elevated our tasting experience, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. The view from Domaine Carneros was breathtaking, providing a stunning backdrop that made our visit even more memorable. Overall, everything about our experience at Domaine Carneros was terrific. We highly recommend it to anyone looking to enjoy exceptional champagne and beautiful scenery.
Mike Degenhart
2 months agoThis was our final stop. The experience (the actual tasting) was our least favorite as it was more of a restaurant style seating. But the view and grounds were incredible. We left with a lot of (expensive) wine. Our server was pleasant and knowledgeable. He allowed us to try many wines not on the list and got us a glass to explore the grounds on our way out. Definitely not a small town feel, more of a corporate conglomerate….but the Pinot is amazing and it’s worth a look.
Hecvi V
3 months agoIt’s a very beautiful place, and the architecture makes it special. Their wines are delicious. The service started poorly but improved depending on what you ordered. I went a while ago, and I liked it, but I can’t give it 5 stars because of the service. They need to improve their service and train their staff. I recommend getting the highest tasting option for better service and trying something from their kitchen, which is good.
Craig Larson
2 months agoGabriel was a superb host and introduced us to some excellent selections for California sparkling wines. We also greatly appreciated the staff accommodating our change in plans by moving up our patio tasting. The “bites” paired wonderfully and were delicious! What a perfect experience in a gorgeous setting. Fantastic wine club, too!!
Kianna Wirts
3 months agoI recently visited Domaine Carneros and had an outstanding experience. The winery itself is beautiful, with stunning views and a welcoming atmosphere. Our waiter, John, provided excellent service. He was extremely knowledgeable about the wines and offered great suggestions on food pairings. His expertise and friendly demeanor greatly enhanced our visit. I highly recommend Domaine Carneros for anyone looking to enjoy top-quality wines and exceptional service in Napa when trying to decide between this winery vs others.