Northern California’s wine country is spread wide and far. Los Carneros is an AVA (American Viticulture Area) that is large enough to span the south end of both Napa and Sonoma Valleys. It is well known for its natural beauty as well as its cool weather wine growing conditions. Due to Carneros’ proximity to the San Pablo Bay, which makes it less hot than other parts of the Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other cool climate grapes are the perfect fit. The coastal fog and warm California sun make sure your wine tasting is as picturesque as the wines are delicious. It is home to some of our most requested destinations on wine tours and we can take you the wine tastings you shouldn’t miss.
Domaine Carneros
1240 Duhig Rd.
Napa, CA 94559
(800) 716-BRUT
www.domainecarneros.com
Founded by the same noble family at Champagne Taittinger, this Napa Valley winery is unlike any other. The search for perfect Pinot Noir / Chardonnay growing area led Claude Taittinger to Carneros in 1987. While they bottle still wines from these varietals, the heart of all things Taittinger is sparkling wine and in 1989 they finished the magnificent chateau the winery resides in now. It was inspired by the classic 18th century Château de la Marquetterie in Champagne, the historic home of the Taittingers. From the start, the winery was determined to make an elegant sparkling wine with quintessential Californian expression of ripe, rich flavor and aroma. If you haven’t been wine tasting here on a warm, sunny summer day, you have yet to fully experience the Napa Valley.
Liana Estates
2750 Las Amigas Rd.
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 302-1160
www.lianaestates.com
Take it from a family who has been around the Napa Valley for a very long time, Carneros is special. At Liana Estates, the rolling hills and breathtaking views of Carneros were too much to resist. The wines created here are as extraordinary and expressive as the surrounding terrain. Under a fresh air gazebo, Carneros’ classic grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay seem to always taste better when you are sipping on wines surrounded by the vineyards they came from. The al fresco tasting and picnic experience that is as unique as it is delicious, features a basket full of goodies and a chilled bottle of wine. This is a new yet instantly classic Carneros wine tasting not to be missed.
Etude Wines
1250 Cuttings Wharf Road
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 257-5782
www.etudewines.com
Etude is the quintessential well know but still ‘under the radar’ Napa winery. It was founded on the philosophy that great winemaking is done in the vineyards, not in the winery. With the superior grape growing techniques, Senior Winemaker Jon Priest follows a hands off approach that allows for an authentic expression of terroir. Jon is well regarded and has made wine from over 50 different varieties of grapes, Pinot Noir still holds the top spot in his heart and wine cellar. Nestled in the green hills of Carneros, his Etude winery creates some of the finest, and purest, representations of Pinot Noir found in the Napa Valley. This quaint little tasting room in the south end of Napa is a place we seem to take visitors to year round.
Ceja Vineyards
22989 Burndale Road
Sonoma, CA 95476
(707) 255-3954
www.cejavineyards.com
The Ceja Family have a long and storied history here in the Napa Valley. Matriarch Amelia Ceja recalls working with her father as a 12-year old on the famed To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville in the late 60’s. With her husband and co-founder Pedro Ceja they have carved out a reputation for quality wines that express the vineyards from which they come.
Amelia is famed for her passionate love of food with which the Ceja Vineyards wines pair with excellently. You will find a treasure trove of Amelia’s recipes here that you can try at home and pair with the Ceja’s wines! You’ll find their tasting room welcoming and in their selection of wines from Sauvignon Blanc through Carneros Pinot Noir through to their red dessert wine Dulce Amor, there’s something for everyone.
Whether or not you have been to Carneros a dozen times or you are exploring the hills and wines for the first time, there is something for every wine tour in this dynamic and enigmatic wine region. Let us take you there in the ultimate comfort and style and introduce you to both your new and old favorites.
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