Carneros

Overview

Los Carneros straddles the southern boundaries of Napa and Sonoma counties, sitting low and open to the cooling winds and fog of San Pablo Bay. It is consistently the coolest AVA in Napa Valley and one of the coolest in Sonoma, making it ideal for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and sparkling wine production. The rolling hills rise only to about 700 feet, with shallow clay and sandy loam soils.

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate, supplying both still wines and traditional-method sparkling wines. Pinot Meunier, Syrah, and Merlot are also grown, but the region's identity rests on its elegant, restrained cool-climate style. Many prominent California sparkling-wine houses source fruit from Carneros.

Key Varietals

• Pinot NoirA cool-climate red producing elegant, red-fruited wines and a key base for sparkling wine.
• ChardonnayA bright, crisp white used for both still bottlings and traditional-method sparkling wines.
• Pinot MeunierA classic sparkling-wine grape adding fruit and roundness to Carneros bubblies.
• SyrahA small but respected planting producing cool-climate, peppery reds in warmer Carneros pockets.