The newest addition to our collection of Carneros vineyards, Entre Amis was planted in 2017, half to Pinot Noir and half to Chardonnay. Located on the Western end of Las Amigas Road, the vines look right out at the San Pablo Bay and gleefully absorb the bay's cool breezes that consistently blow through. Although we won't harvest our first grapes from Entre Amis until the 2020 vintage, Pinot Noir winemaker TJ is very excited about this site's potential, thanks to its Western sun exposure and light, gravelly soil.
Our Vineyards
We are winegrowers dedicated to crafting wine that expresses our unique Carneros terroir. Domaine Carneros farms 6 ranches in the Carneros AVA, and all of them are within 4 miles of the Chateau. Our Estate Vineyards now total 400 acres, 250 acres devoted to Pinot Noir and 150 acres planted to Chardonnay.
The Carneros, Spanish for ‘ram', spans the cool, southern ends of both Napa Valley and Sonoma county. Characterized by a long, moderately cool growing season sweetened by the breezes and lingering fog of the San Pablo Bay, temperatures in this American viticultural area (AVA) are slightly cooler than Burgundy, yet slightly warmer than Champagne. As such, Carneros provides optimum conditions for the slow, even ripening of and perfect balance in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes - the principal grapes in champagne and fine sparkling wine.
Situated in the very heart of the region, the Domaine Carneros estate encompasses 400 acres in six separate sites. We are the only sparkling wine producer to use Carneros grapes exclusively.
Entre Amis
Tula Vista
In 2011, our still wines winemaker TJ spotted this terrific site on Ramal Road right next door to Donum Estate. Tula Vista features a unique combination of heavy clay soils, both West and Northern exposure, and slopes facing the windy Petaluma Gap, which funnels a consistent breeze onto the vines. We quickly concurred with our vineyard manager Alberto that this was an ideal site for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and it has thus far produced fantastic vintages of California Chardonnay with bright flavors and fresh acidity. The 2018 Tula Vista Pinot Noir is currently resting in barrel and as these vines age, the grapes just might make the selection for Le Rêve.
Le Ciel Serein
It is easy to spot this vineyard, just west of the Old Stornetta Dairy on the Carneros Highway. We leased it from Al and Matilda Stornetta in 2001; they were both in their 90s and going strong. When we added this vineyard to our small coterie, our still Pinot Noir wines were gaining great popularity and it was planted predominately, but not exclusively, for these wines. Domaine Carneros purchased this vineyard in 2008.
La Rocaille
This is our smallest vineyard. It is situated east of the winery on the south side of the Carneros Highway and marked by a line of pine trees. We selected this site in 1995 for its light soils, which have proven to be exceptionally fine for historic clones of Pinot Noir that go into our sparkling wines.
Pompadour
By 1991, Domaine Carneros was thriving and it was time to consider another vineyard. The right one appeared on the south side of the Old Napa Road (driving from the winery to the town of Sonoma, you may notice on your left an unusual Y-shaped reservoir that is Pompadour’s irrigation water). This vineyard is primarily planted in historic clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that we particularly like for our sparkling wines.
Domaine Carneros Estate
The vines surrounding our château were the first and only winery vineyard we had when Eileen Crane was hired as winemaker in 1987. The selection of clones and the quality of the planting (and perhaps the beauty of the site) were an inspiration to Eileen and led to the creation of Le Rêve and Famous Gate. Today, the vineyard is still appreciated for the wonderful production of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.