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Domaine Carneros

Carneros, CA

About

The Champagne Taittinger tradition was brought to California with the founding of Domaine Carneros in 1986. Beginning with 138 coveted acres, the Taittinger family was able to transplant their legacy and expertise onto the New World and redefine Champagne’s relationship with California sparkling wine. Located in the heart of the Los Carneros AVA between the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, gusty winds and a reliably cool climate make the 400-acre Domaine Carneros estate vineyards an ideal locale for sustainably growing the pinot noir and chardonnay needed to make ultra-premium  sparkling and still wines.
The portfolios of ultra-premium sparkling and still wines have distinguished Domaine Carneros as a benchmark for California wine. Those wines, crafted by Sparkling Winemaker Zak Miller and Pinot Noir Winemaker TJ Evans, reflect the unique terroir of Carneros while incorporating the rich legacy of Champagne Taittinger. That legacy is further reflected in the design of the Domaine Carneros château, which was inspired by the Taittinger family’s 18th century Château de la Marquetterie in Champagne, France.
 

People


Zak Miller – Sparkling Winemaker
Working alongside Founding Winemaker, Eileen Crane, opened to Miller a new realm of possibility in winemaking – sparkling wines – and he hasn’t looked back since. Through Crane and the Domaine Carneros team, he developed a deep appreciation for the versatility of both pinot noir and chardonnay in sparkling winemaking and the great skill required to craft beautifully balanced, elegant yet complex wines. And through his work as a sparkling winemaker, he grew to love a variety he admittedly didn’t gravitate toward originally – chardonnay – which provides the base for what he feels is its finest expression (and a personal favorite), Blanc de Blancs. Just prior to the 2020 harvest, Miller stepped into the role of Sparkling Winemaker, where he will be at the forefront of daily sparkling operations ranging from harvesting, cuvée blending, and tirage, seeing it all through the final sparkling wine process of disgorging.
 
TJ Evans – Pinot Noir Winemaker
TJ Evans grew up in Northern California, but his work has taken him to the world’s finest winemaking regions. After earning degrees from Amherst College and the University of California at Davis, Evans apprenticed at such legendary estates as Domain Jean Louis-Chave in France, Villa Maria Estate in New Zealand, and the Napa Valley’s Robert Mondavi Winery and Far Niente. Winemaking positions at La Crema’s Russian River Valley estate, and Alderbrook Winery in Dry Creek Valley helped Evans develop his love for pinot noir and expertise in crafting it. Evans then spent three years in Chile’s Bio Bio Valley helping create a pinot noir and chardonnay estate for Viñedos y Bodegas Córpora. Since his return in 2008, Evans has been developing Domaine Carneros’s portfolio of award-winning pinot noirs from diverse clonal and vineyard sources. His diligent work from vineyard to barrel has helped Domaine Carneros’s still wines reach the same level of acclaim as their iconic sparkling portfolio.

Eileen Crane - Founding Winemaker and former CEO
Crane is not only one of the industry’s pioneering women, but also the most experienced American sparkling winemaker with over 40 years to her credit and is widely regarded as the doyenne of sparkling wine in America. Her pursuit of excellence in viticulture, winemaking and hospitality has made Domaine Carneros an iconic American winery. After an incredibly successful career spanning 42 years, Eileen Crane stepped down from her role as CEO at the end of summer 2020.  She now serves as consulting winemaker for the team.

 

Press Highlights

News Articles


Domaine Carneros Debuts New Menu for the Popular “Bubbles & Bites” Experience

5 September, 2024

Posted by under Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros Debuts New Menu for the Popular “Bubbles & Bites” ExperienceTour the Mediterranean  WHO: Founded in 1987, in the Carneros appellation of Northern California by the Champagne Taittinger family, Domaine Carneros is a grower producer of ultra-premium sparkling wines and limited production pinot noirs. Domaine Carneros has become the benchmark for California sparkling wine, reflecting both the individuality of the Carneros terroir and the craftsmanship of its French legacy.  WHAT:  The Art of Sparkling Wine Pairing: Bubbles & Bites  The popularity of the Bubbles & Bites tasting menu, first launched in 2018, has been a special experience for visitors who wish to explore the versatility of sparkling wine pairing with different cuisines.  To date, the winery has focused on Pan-Asian, Mexican, Moroccan, Spanish and Southeast Asian pairings and now announces its next culinary stop on the globe...Tour the Mediterranean.  Pictured: New Tour the Mediterranean “Bubbles & Bites” Experience Experience the versatility of sparkling wine in this curated Food & Wine Pairing that highlights the flavors of cuisines around the globe. This limited-edition menu takes you on a journey through the rich and varied landscape of the Mediterranean. With inspiration gathered from the cuisines of Greece, Tunisia, Italy, and Lebanon, discover unexpected and delightful combinations from the spice & herbs of the Mediterranean when paired with sparkling wine. Join us for this special pairing experience that includes four savory and one sweet bite, each of which has been specially designed to pair with four of the winery’s top-rated Carneros sparkling wines – Ultra Brut, Estate Brut Cuvée, Brut Rosé, and Verméil Demi-Sec. Led by the winery's most seasoned wine educators, this experience will open your eyes to a new side of sparkling wine. Menu Halibut Crudo Halibut cured in citrus oil and served with orange wedges, radishes and accented with Calabrian Chili oil. Paired with 2019 Ultra Brut Stracciatella Salad Whipped burrata cheese over arugula accompanied with seasonal fruit and an olive tapenade, drizzled with Mediterranean honey herb oil. Paired with 2019 Estate Brut Cuvée Aubergine Roasted Eggplant atop a Za'atar cashew puree with plum tomato conserva and herb oil. Paired with 2020 Brut Rosé Harissa Chicken Pan seared chicken dressed in a rich Tunisian harissa sauce and served with fresh greens. Paired with 2020 Verméil Demi-Sec Panna Cotta Tart Rosewater scented Greek yogurt tart with strawberry gelée and pistachios. Paired with 2020 Verméil Demi-Sec *Dietary restrictions can be accommodated, please call us to discuss your needs $99 cost does not include gratuity or sales tax. $35 per person deposit is required for booking. 90-minute experience, guests 21 years and older. An 18% service charge is added for groups of 5 or more. 48-hour cancellation. If your group is larger than 8 people, please call or email the winery for availability.  Reserve: 707-257-0101 x 150 or reservations@domainecarneros.com WHERE:  Domaine Carneros Winery 1240 Duhig Rd, Napa, CA 94559  About Domaine Carneros     Founded in 1987, Domaine Carneros reflects the hallmark of its founder, Champagne Taittinger, in creating terroir-driven sparkling wine and preserving the quality tenets of the traditional method production.  Located entirely within the Carneros AVA, between Napa and Sonoma counties, the six estate vineyards total approximately 400 acres with 150 acres planted to Chardonnay, 250 acres planted to Pinot Noir. The winery focuses on making ultra-premium Carneros sparkling wines limited production pinot noirs grown on their estate vineyards. For more information, visit: www.domainecarneros.com Social: Domaine Carneros Instagram | www.instagram.com/domainecarneros Twitter | www.twitter.com/domainecarneros Facebook | www.facebook.com/domainecarneroswinery MEDIA CONTACT: Kimberly Noelle Charles of Charles Communications Associates kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415.730.0064  
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Domaine Carneros Celebrates Earth Day Every Day

15 April, 2024

Posted by under Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros Celebrates Earth Day Every Day Releases first "Powered by the Sun" Rosé, Experiments with lighter weight glass, New Director of Vineyard Operations focuses on Sustainability Napa, CA – April 15, 2024 – Adding to its multi-decade legacy of environmental stewardship, Domaine Carneros is pleased to share new initiatives that build upon its commitment to producing outstanding wine while continuously striving for best practices in sustainability. Installation of groundbreaking new microgrid technology in 2023 increased Domaine Carneros’ commitment to renewable energy.  In celebration, the winery is proud to release its first microgrid-powered wine, the 2023 Avant Garde Pinot Noir Rose, “Powered by The Sun.” The wine will go on sale on the winery's website on April 22nd, Earth Day. The winery's commitment to renewable energy began in 2003 when they installed the largest winery solar installation of its time.  Twenty-one years later, the winery has ‘amped up’ its solar commitment by doubling its solar capacity and connecting to a state-of-the-art microgrid battery system which supplies the winery with approximately 75% of its energy needs. CEO Remi Cohen shares, "Microgrid technology is revolutionary in its ability to store the solar energy that the panels collect.   At Domaine Carneros, the battery bank becomes charged over the course of a day and the stored energy is utilized to offset peak energy times and can be used in the evenings and overnight. Additionally, the microgrid ensures an independent power source during natural disasters."  In an ongoing effort to safely reduce the weight of their sparkling wine glass while maintaining the structural integrity needed to withstand 70-90 psi pressures, Domaine Carneros has initiated use of a 7% lighter weight bottle while continuing to strive toward future reduction. Seeking a reduction in the impact of shipping those bottles, the winery partners with Wine Direct to ship its wine club shipments, all of which are carbon offset.  The appointment of Allison Wilson as Director of Vineyard Operations early in 2024 brings a wealth of expertise in sustainable farming to its 400 acres of estate vineyards in the Carneros AVA. She brings with her 15 years of experience in sustainable vineyard operations, much of it centered in the AVA she now tends.  From inception, the intention at Domaine Carneros has been to create the best wines and most memorable sparkling wine experiences through healthy land, vines, and people. For the 37 years since its founding, Domaine Carneros has held itself to a high standard with respect to sustainable practices to ensure that the winery lives as lightly on the land as possible while producing excellent grapes, and, of course, wine. Domaine Carneros has sought and received certifications from numerous prestigious sustainable organizations including California Certified Sustainable Winegrowers, Napa Green, Bay Area Green, and Fish Friendly Farming.  Annual assessments and audits seek out new areas to improve upon rigorous standards of sustainability not only for the winery, but also for its place in the community and as an employer.  The winery implements the following measures towards continuous improvement: Re-use and recycling Through composting, recycling, and reuse, over 90% of solid waste is diverted from landfills. Water used in the production process is treated and  used to irrigate the estate vineyards, saving millions of gallons per year   A decade-long packaging reuse program, whereby 20-25% of cases and inserts are reused for in-house purposes. Sustainability Practices Solar energy has long been a crucial aspect of Domaine Carneros’ sustainability plan, having installed the largest solar collection system of any winery in the world when it was implemented in 2003. In 2023, Domaine Carneros was among the first wineries in the Napa Valley to install a solar microgrid and battery system, which supplies 75% of the winery’s power, and ultimately allows the winery to be self-sustaining during power outages.  The winery’s use of skylights, building into the earth, and employing night cooling systems to maintain cellar temperatures all contribute to energy conservation as well as robust employee involvement in daily conservation efforts.  The winery practices Integrated Pest Management using natural controls for vineyard pests such as boxes to attract owls which feed on voles and using cover crops that attract beneficial insects to control insect pests. Grape pomace from harvest is used to feed local cattle in a region of California with historic ties to the dairy business. Commitment to Employees Domaine Carneros holds strong principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, and its staff is reflective of that commitment. Through a practice of open book management, employees are inspired and invited to be an integral part of collective success. The winery fosters and encourages mentorship for its staff and embraces professional development in the broader wine industry in the form of scholarship offerings and a fellowship. The winery has been awarded several prestigious honors from the state of California and other well-respected organizations. In April 2023, the winery received the RISE Leadership Award for outstanding waste prevention and greening of its supply chain. In 2020, the winery received the Napa Climate NOW! award for being a Climate Champion in the Business Category.  The winery also received the California Green Medal Business Award in 2019 for "demonstrating smart business through efficiencies, cost savings, and innovation from implementing sustainable practices." Only four wineries are awarded the medal each year, so the honor is quite significant given the number of wineries in the state. Domaine Carneros has been a Bay Area Green Business since 2014, Fish Friendly Farming certified since 2015, Napa Green Vineyard & Winery since 2014 and is Certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance since 2015.   ABOUT DOMAINE CARNEROS   Founded in 1987, Domaine Carneros reflects the hallmark of its founder, Champagne Taittinger, in creating a vision of terroir-driven sparkling wine and preserving the quality tenets of the methode traditionelle of sparkling wine production. Located entirely within the Carneros AVA, between Napa and Sonoma counties, the six estate vineyards total approximately 400 acres with 150 acres planted to chardonnay, and 250 acres planted to pinot noir. The winery focuses on making ultra-premium Carneros sparkling wines largely estate grown and limited production pinot noirs. For additional information, images, and interview requests, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates at kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415-730-0064.
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Allison Wilson Appointed Director of Vineyard Operations at Domaine Carneros

13 February, 2024

Posted by under Domaine Carneros

Allison Wilson Appointed Director of Vineyard Operations at Domaine Carneros Napa, CA February 2024 -  Domaine Carneros is pleased to announce the appointment of Allison Cellini Wilson as Director of Vineyard Operations effective January 2024.  In her new role, Wilson, will lead a dedicated team, overseeing six estate vineyards totaling over 400 acres in the Carneros American Viticultural Area (AVA).  These estate vineyards, all located within a few miles of the winery, are renowned for producing premium fruit that forms the basis for Domaine Carneros’ esteemed méthode traditionelle sparkling wines and pinot noir program.    Bringing over a decade of experience in vineyard management with expertise to her new position, Wilson is well equipped to navigate the complexities of sustainable certification programs, grower relations and integration with winemaking teams.  Prior to joining Domaine Carneros she spent nine years at Cliff Lede Vineyards, rising from Viticulturist to Director of Vineyard Operations.   Wilson will lead a talented team including viticulturist Gita Mallya, assistant vineyard manager Jorge Flores and a crew of fifteen dedicated vineyard professionals.   Expressing her enthusiasm for this new chapter in her career,  Wilson remarked,  "I am thrilled to take on this role and collaborate with an experienced winemaking team to elevate our viticulture and vineyard management practices. Cultivating grapes for sparkling wine production presents an exciting challenge, and I am eager to implement best practices to enhance wine quality." Under the guidance of CEO Remi Cohen, Domaine Carneros fosters a culture of mentorship and professional growth, and Wilson is poised to leverage her expertise to advance both her team and the winery's overarching objectives. Known for her commitment to excellence, Wilson's leadership extends beyond her role at Domaine Carneros, as evidenced by her involvement on the Napa County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, participation as a Mentor with the Bâtonnage Forum, and her contributions as a reviewer for the American Vineyard Foundation. Commenting on Wilson's hire, Cohen stated "I've had the pleasure of collaborating with Allison in the past, and her talent and expertise will undoubtedly propel our vineyard operations to new heights." Wilson's profound understanding of  sustainable practices further fortifies Domaine Carneros' robust sustainability program, which holds certifications from CSWA, Napa Green, Bay Area Green, and Fish Friendly Farming.  Long recognized for conservation leadership, Domaine Carneros has earned prestigious accolades including the California Green Medal Business Award and the Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Award. A native of Lafayette, California, Wilson's journey in agriculture began during her childhood visits to her uncle's vineyards.  Her passion for viticulture solidified during her studies at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo where she pursued a major in Fruit Science. Her early experience working at a tasting room in Paso Robles crystallized her career path affirming her dedication to the art and science of winemaking. ABOUT DOMAINE CARNEROS Founded in 1987, Domaine Carneros reflects the hallmark of its founder, Champagne Taittinger, in creating terroir-driven sparkling wine and preserving the quality tenets of the traditional method production.  Located entirely within the Carneros AVA, between Napa and Sonoma counties, the six estate vineyards total approximately 400 acres with 125 acres planted to Chardonnay, 225 acres planted to Pinot Noir, with the remaining acres currently in development. The winery focuses on making ultra-premium Carneros sparkling wines and limited production Pinot Noirs. Domaine Carneros' château has become a landmark and symbol of the region. The architecture and interior design were inspired by the 18th century Château de la Marquetterie, the historic Taittinger family residence in the Champagne region. Visitors to the chateau enjoy seated tastings of methode traditionelle sparkling wines and small-lot pinot noir in the elegant Jardin d’Hiver or on the broad terrace overlooking the rolling vineyards of Carneros. Domaine Carneros limited production wines are available onsite, via ecommerce, and are distributed nationally by Kobrand Corporation which, founded in 1944, remains one of the few family-owned wine and spirits companies in the United States. The winery places a high value on preserving the environment and has taken on a vast array of environmental efforts. The roof of the pinot noir winery adjacent to the château hosts a solar array that was the largest on any winery in the world when it was installed and continues to be expanded with a state-of-the-art microgrid launched in 2023.  The most recent award, one of many from federal, state, and local government; was the California Green Medal for Domaine Carneros’ demonstration of “Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices.” For information, images and interviews please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles at Charles Communications Associates either by email kcharles@charlescomm.com or 415-730-0064.
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