Region & Climate
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Region & ClimateThe Carneros, which means ‘the Ram’ in Spanish, is an AVA (American Viticultural Appellation). It is the first American appellation to be defined by climate rather than along political lines. It is bordered by the San Pablo Bay to the south, the Mayacamas Mountains to the north and spans the southern ends of both Napa and Sonoma counties.The Carneros Appellation: An Ideal ClimateThe Domaine Carneros estate extends over 138 acres in the Carneros appellation. Situated in the very heart of the Carneros region, Domaine Carneros stands alone as the only sparkling wine producer using exclusively Carneros grapes for the super-premium methode-champenoise. |
The Carneros appellation is characterized by a long, moderately cool growing season tempered by the maritime breezes and lingering fog of the San Pablo Bay just to the west. This environment, with temperatures slightly cooler than Burgundy yet slightly warmer than Champagne, provides optimum conditions for the slow, even ripening and perfect acidic balance in the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, the principal grapes used in making champagne.
A Carefully Selected Site
When venture partners Champagne Taittinger of France and Kobrand Corporation decided to establish Domaine Carneros in 1987, the partners believed that a superior vineyard site combined with the right winemaking expertise could result in world-class sparkling wine. Thus, a long and exacting search for an ideal vineyard eventually led to Carneros, where the winery’s 138 parcel was found.