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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 Kicks Off New Menu for the Popular "Bubbles & Bites" Experience

22 May, 2025

Posted by under Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros Kicks Off New Menu for the Popular "Bubbles & Bites" ExperienceA Peruvian Culinary Journey Launching June 4, 2025 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 with different cuisines. To date, the winery has focused on Pan-Asian, Mexican, Moroccan, Spanish, Southeast Asian, and Mediterranean pairings and now announces its seventh culinary adventure...a journey through Peru, launching June 4, 2025. Experience the versatility of sparkling wine in this curated food & wine pairing that highlights the vibrant flavors of Peruvian cuisine. This limited-edition menu showcases Peru's diverse culinary heritage, which blends both indigenous and international inspiration with Spanish, Asian, and African influences, presenting unexpected and delightful pairings with sparkling wine. Guests are invited to join Domaine Carneros 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, Crane Cuvée 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 Peruvian-Style Ceviche Fresh Mahi-Mahi cured in lime juice and accented with sweet potato, corn, red onion, and cilantro. Paired with the 2019 Domaine Carneros Ultra Brut Corn & Bean Custard A silky nutmeg-scented egg custard of roasted corn, creamy lima beans, and red peppers. Paired with the 2020 Domaine Carneros Estate Brut Cuvée Potato Croquette a la Huancaína Crispy potato croquettes, accompanied by a sauce of fresh cheese and Amarillo peppers and garnished with an egg mousse and Kalamata olives. Paired with the limited-edition 2020 Domaine Carneros Crane Cuvée Rosé Peruvian Pork Stew with Lime & Apple Tender Pork shoulder in a sauce of apple and caramelized onion, accented with lime and a hint of Rocoto chile. Paired with the 2021 Domaine Carneros Verméil Demi-Sec Suspiro a la Limeña Traditional Peruvian dessert of caramel pudding topped with meringue and dressed in a Port wine sauce. Paired with the 2021 Domaine Carneros Verméil Demi-Sec Dietary restrictions can be accommodated, please call the winery to discuss your needs This experience is being offered at $99, and the cost does not include gratuity or sales tax. A $35 per person deposit is required for booking. 90-minute experience, guests need to be 21 years and older. An 18% service charge is added for groups of 5 or more. Please note there is a 48-hour cancellation. Groups larger than 8 people will need to call or email the winery to check on availability. To reserve: Please call 707-257-0101 x 150 or email 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 and 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 415.701.9463 (WINE)
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Domaine Carneros Celebrates 20 Years of Solar Leadership This Earth Day

17 April, 2025

Posted by under Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros Celebrates 20 Years of Solar Leadership This Earth DayPioneer in Sustainable Winemaking Launches State-of-the-Art Microgrid, Further Cementing Environmental Leadership NAPA, CA – April 15, 2025 – As Earth Day approaches on April 22nd, Domaine Carneros is raising a glass to a significant milestone: over two decades of pioneering solar energy in the wine industry. What began in 2003 as the world's largest winery solar installation has evolved into a cutting-edge microgrid system that now provides nearly 80% of the winery's energy needs while reducing carbon emissions by 375 metric tons of CO₂ annually, equivalent to powering 50 homes for a year. "When we installed our first solar array two decades ago, we were at the forefront of renewable energy adoption in the wine industry," notes CEO Remi Cohen. "Today, our advanced microgrid technology represents the next generation of energy independence and environmental stewardship. As climate challenges intensify, Domaine Carneros continues its commitment to leading with a light footprint while crafting the highest quality wines." Revolutionary Microgrid Technology In partnership with Schneider Electric, named the world's most sustainable company by Time magazine, Domaine Carneros deployed the EcoStruxure™ Microgrid in 2023, doubling the winery's energy generation capacity. The system integrates 614 upgraded solar panels generating 427 kilowatts of clean energy with a 250KVA battery backup and generator. This infrastructure ensures uninterrupted operations during increasingly common power outages due to wildfires and severe weather events, and the system stores excess solar energy generated during the day for use in the evenings or early mornings during peak demand. The microgrid's intelligent controls leverage AI to optimize energy usage in real time, resulting in significant operational benefits: Self-generation of nearly 80% of energy for winery operations Annual savings of $70,000 Ability to operate in "island mode" during grid outages Solar power production of 740MWh in the last year, equivalent to taking 110 cars off the road The system also powers four electric vehicle charging stations for guests, seamlessly integrating green technology throughout the visitor experience. Award-Winning Environmental Practices Domaine Carneros' comprehensive approach to sustainability has earned numerous prestigious recognitions, including: 2025 RISE Leadership Award for Energy Efficiency and Savings 2024 City of Napa Leadership Recycling Award 2023 RISE Leadership Award for waste prevention and supply chain greening 2020 Napa Climate NOW! Climate Champion in the Business Category 2019 California Green Medal Business Award The winery maintains multiple environmental certifications, including California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, Napa Green Vineyard & Winery, Bay Area Green Business, and Fish Friendly Farming. Beyond Energy: Comprehensive Sustainability Domaine Carneros implements sustainability throughout its operations: Diverting approximately 90% of solid waste from landfills through composting, recycling, and reuse Recycling and reusing water used in production to irrigate estate vineyards Reusing 20-25% of packaging materials, saving over a million pieces since 2010 Practicing Integrated Pest Management with owl boxes and beneficial cover crops Composting approximately 450,000 pounds of food waste since 2013 Implementing lighter weight bottles to reduce shipping impacts Offsetting carbon emissions from wine club shipments "Our commitment to environmental stewardship is fundamentally rooted in our estate vineyards under Allison Wilson's visionary stewardship," says Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros. "This commitment is further demonstrated through two decades of solar energy innovation powering our winemaking, ensuring our tradition of excellence thrives sustainably for generations to come." 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 415-701-9463 (WINE)
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Napa Winery Domaine Carneros’ Deployment of a Schneider Electric Microgrid Leads Way for Resiliency, Energy Efficiency in Wine Industry

3 March, 2025

Posted by under Domaine Carneros

Napa Winery Domaine Carneros’ Deployment of a Schneider Electric Microgrid Leads Way for Resiliency, Energy Efficiency in Wine Industry•    Domaine Carneros self-generates nearly 80% of its energy use with help from Schneider Electric’s microgrid  •    Winery reduces its carbon emissions by 375 metric tons of CO2, equivalent to powering nearly 50 homes for a yearNAPA, Calif. – March 3, 2025 – Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced Domaine Carneros, grower-producer of ultra-premium Carneros sparkling wine and limited production pinot noirs, reduced its carbon emissions last year by 375 metric tons of CO2 through the deployment of a microgrid, achieving $70,000 in annual savings. In the heart of Napa Valley, Domaine Carneros has deployed Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure™ Microgrid, a standardized, validated microgrid platform that manages the winery’s on-site energy generation. Through its deployment of solar arrays and the microgrid, Domaine Carneros self-generates nearly 80% of its energy for winery operations such as fermentation, bottling, and wine tastings. “Deploying a resilient and energy-efficient microgrid solution has been critical to the winery’s operations in light of an increasing number of Public Safety Power Shutoffs and extreme weather events that have posed significant threats to the winemaking industry in California,” said Jana Gerber, North American President of Microgrids for Schneider Electric. “The system allows the winery to manage energy from its solar array, battery, and generator, providing backup power. All of this is managed through our microgrid controls, which allows for seamless power to be provided to the winery.” The winery manages its energy usage through Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure™ Microgrid Advisor software platform, which uses AI to monitor energy generation from the on-site Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). The deployment of the microgrid doubled Domaine Carneros’ energy generation capacity over the solar system that the winery originally installed 20 years ago. Excess solar energy is stored in the on-site battery for use at night or during a power outage, and the backup generator is available to provide additional energy when solar power isn’t available. “Our ability to craft the highest quality wines and create the most memorable wine experiences is dependent on a reliable and efficient source of energy,” said Remi Cohen, CEO of Domaine Carneros. “With Schneider Electric’s advanced microgrid technology, we’ve been able to revolutionize our energy infrastructure and maximize our renewable energy use. At a time when power outages are becoming more common, due to wildfires and severe weather, this has been critical to keeping our operations online.” The microgrid enables Domaine Carneros to have complete self-sufficiency during power outages. It allows the winery to connect and disconnect from the grid, allowing for operation in “island mode,” with a battery storing energy for use as needed. If the power grid goes down, or electricity prices peak, the microgrid responds, providing a continuous supply of power during disruptions to the grid and helping avoid excess electricity demand charges during peak hours. Using data points such as energy production and energy demand, the microgrid’s intelligent controls software utilizes AI to apply utility tariff models, time-of-use rates, and demand charges for the benefit of the winery in real time. The results of the microgrid include: Uninterrupted Operations: With 614 upgraded solar panels generating 427 kilowatts of clean energy and a microgrid enabling smooth transitions to the 250KVA battery backup or generator power, Schneider Electric’s technology ensures operations at the winery, tasting rooms, and production facilities remain uninterrupted. The solar power and battery also curtail up to 70% of the generator’s output to save fuel during an outage. Significant Solar Power: The solar panel performance at Domaine Carneros produced an impressive 740MWh in the last year, which is the equivalent of taking 110 cars off the road for a year or saving nearly 60,000 gallons of gasoline. Integration of Solar-Powered EV Charging Stations: Domaine Carneros also offers four solar-powered electric car charging stations for guests, seamlessly integrating green technology into all aspects of its operations. Schneider Electric partnered with PowerFlex, a division of EDF Renewables, to design the microgrid. PowerFlex provided the electrical infrastructure to integrate the solar power and battery storage system. As a result of the success Domaine Carneros has achieved, the winery is being recognized as an “Impact Maker” by Schneider Electric, which was recently named the World’s Most Sustainable Corporation 2025 by Corporate Knights and is the only company to rank first in the Global 100 twice. Schneider also was named last year as the World’s Most Sustainable Company by TIME and Statista. Check out this video which debuted at the winery on February 25th as part of Schneider’s Impact Maker program. About Domaine Carneros Founded in 1987, Domaine Carneros reflects the hallmark of its founder, Champagne Taittinger, in creating terroir-driven sparkling wine in the traditional method production. Located entirely within the Carneros AVA, between Napa and Sonoma counties, the winery owns six estate vineyards total approximately 400 acres. The winery has an impressive sustainable track record. In April 2023, the winery received the RISE Leadership Award for outstanding waste prevention and greening of its supply chain. Other notable awards in the last few years include the California Green Medal Business Award and the Napa Climate NOW! award for being a Climate Champion in the Business Category.  They have been a Bay Area Green Business since 2014, other certifications include Fish Friendly Farming, Napa Green Vineyard & Winery, and Certified California Sustainable. For more information, visit: www.domainecarneros.com. About Schneider Electric Schneider’s purpose is to create Impact by empowering all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. At Schneider, we call this Life Is On.   Our mission is to be the trusted partner in Sustainability and Efficiency.   We are a global industrial technology leader bringing world-leading expertise in electrification, automation and digitalization to smart industries, resilient infrastructure, future-proof data centers, intelligent buildings, and intuitive homes. Anchored by our deep domain expertise, we provide integrated end-to-end lifecycle AI enabled Industrial IoT solutions with connected products, automation, software and services, delivering digital twins to enable profitable growth for our customers. We are a people company with an ecosystem of 150,000 colleagues and more than a million partners operating in over 100 countries to ensure proximity to our customers and stakeholders. We embrace diversity and inclusion in everything we do, guided by our meaningful purpose of a sustainable future for all.    www.se.com  
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