Carneros

Los carneros wine is built on two grapes — Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — grown in one of California's coolest wine regions. Sitting at the southern end of both Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley, Carneros catches bay winds that keep ripening slow and flavours focused. Those conditions make it the natural home of California sparkling wine as well as some of the state's most precisely structured Pinot Noir. If you're curious why Carneros stands apart, the climate tells most of the story.

Why choose Carneros wine?

The buying case for Carneros rests on a rare piece of geography: it is the only AVA to straddle both Sonoma County and Napa County, giving producers access to two of California's most prestigious appellations within a single cool-climate zone. That cross-county reach means the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown here carry genuine Napa and Sonoma pedigree without the price premium of either county's headline sub-regions. Winemakers also have the option to blend cooler Carneros fruit with riper material from more northerly AVAs, dialling in exactly the weight and freshness they want. The result is a portfolio of impressive Pinot Noirs and traditionally made sparkling wines that sit in a style gap no neighbouring region fills. Pinot Noir from Carneros pairs beautifully with roast duck or salmon — a versatile match for a dinner-party bottle. If you want cool-bay Pinot Noir and sparkling wines with genuine Sonoma and Napa credentials, our Carneros selection starts here →

How big is the Carneros wine region?

Carneros covers around 3,237 hectares (8,000 acres) of vines, making it a focused appellation where the cool bay influence reaches virtually every vineyard.

Are Carneros sparkling wines made in the traditional method?

Yes. Carneros is known for traditionally made sparkling wines using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — the same grape combination used in Champagne.

Is Carneros Pinot Noir lighter or fuller than Napa Cabernet?

Carneros Pinot Noir is considerably lighter — bay-cooled, elegant, and fresh rather than the rich, full-bodied style associated with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.