Winemaking

Philosophy

Eileen Crane heads Domaine Carneros' winemaking team, which is committed to creating handcrafted premium sparkling wine and Pinot Noir.
Winemaking emphasizes gentle handling and attention to detail. Creation of the sparkling wine cuvées from the array of available clones is a time consuming and exacting art, learned from decades of experience. Pinot Noir, known to Winemakers as the "heartbreak grape", is equally demanding of time and attention.

“Making great wine is a passion,” says head winemaker Eileen Crane. “There is no formula. You have to be attuned to the rhythm of the grapes, the pulse of the wine.”

Under Eileen’s leadership, we make our wines with care, paying careful attention to the delicate nature of the chardonnay and pinot noir grapes we grow on our estate. Grapes are always hand picked and gently pressed. Production in our state-of-the-art facilities is limited, ensuring the highest level of craftsmanship possible.