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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 Unveils its 2025 Holiday Gift Collection

1 October, 2025

Posted by under Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros Unveils its 2025 Holiday Gift Collection Sparkling Wine and Pinot Noir Elegant Boxed Sets, Luxurious Non-Food Gifts, Gourmet Treats and More October 1, 2025 Napa, CA - Domaine Carneros, the award-winning California grower-producer of Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines, joyfully announces its 2025 holiday wine gift collections. Curated by the team at the French-inspired château founded by Taittinger Champagne, situated at the gateway to wine country in northern California, the winery enjoys dreaming up inspired sparkling gifts for all those on your holiday list, including yourself! With 20% off pricing for Chateau Society members on all gifts, special highlights this year include an array of both gourmet and non-food gifts designed to delight every palate and preference. Gourmet Gifts to Savor They've curated a range of gifts for the foodie in your life, both sweet and savory. Holiday Cheer features a dozen buttery and salted caramel chocolates infused with the Estate Brut, custom-made by Anette's Chocolatier in Napa Valley, paired with a bottle of the critically acclaimed 2021 Estate Brut Cuvée, rich and layered with notes of lemon zest, green apple, and toasted brioche $73 | $58.40 club price. Delight the Pinot lover on your list with Pinot Perfection a luxurious pairing of rich, silky Carneros Estate Pinot Noir and Himalayan Salted Caramel Dark Chocolates.  The 2023 Estate Pinot Noir, with layered notes of vibrant red fruit, forest floor, and warm spice, is paired with a dozen handcrafted small-batch dark chocolates from Annette's Chocolatier in Napa Valley - a heavenly match to savor $80 | $64 club price. Take tree trimming to new heights with Deck the Halls - the HoliPop Popcorn Garland Kit includes everything needed to create a 14-foot popcorn garland, with a bit of merry munching on the side, paired with a bottle of the luscious 2021 Verméil Demi-Sec, offering flavors of nectarine, honeycomb, and lemon angel food cake $55 | $44 club price. For the sweet tooth, Sweets & Sparkle features a festive red tin of Bonnie & Pop gourmet confections paired with the plush, complex Blanc de Noir with notes of Rainier cherry, peach, and toasted almond. The bounty includes Caramel Pearls, Milk Chocolate Haystacks, White Cookie Crunch, Almond Clusters, Double Dark Silk Truffle, Chocolate Espresso Meltaway, English Toffee and Peppermint Patties. $85 | $68 club price. Classic indulgence meets plant-based perfection with Holiday Pearls - luxurious Zeroe vegan caviar crafted from seaweed sustainably harvested off the southern coast of France, transformed into delicate spheres with crisp, briny flavor enhanced by aromatic European herbs, paired perfectly with the vibrant 99-point 2019 Ultra Brut with brisk notes of green apple, peach, and shortbread cookie $130 | $104 club price. Give the gift of effortless entertaining with The Perfect Spread - a curated charcuterie ensemble featuring Journeyman French-style saucisson sec salumi from Sonoma, olive oil and sel gris Rustic Bakery flatbread bites, small-batch apricot-cherry honey spread, family-farmed California-grown garlic-stuffed olives, and a complete seven-piece bamboo cheese board set with cheese knives, mini bowls, and spoons, paired with the vibrant 2022 Avant-Garde Pinot Noir bounding with juicy black cherry, red raspberry, warm oak, and cinnamon $125 | $100 club price. Luxury Gift Offerings at all tiers                                                       For those seeking luxurious gifts beyond the culinary, Domaine Carneros presents a stunning selection of non-food offerings. Pampered in Pink offers the gift of self-care and sparkle with all-natural spa essentials from elizabethW in San Francisco - featuring magnolia-scented body lotion and bath fizz that transform any evening into a spa retreat, plus chamomile lip polish for soft, hydrated lips - paired with the beloved 2021 Brut Rosé with delicate salmon-hued bubbles and notes of peach, raspberry, and ginger $110 | $88 club price. Give the gift of luminous celebrations with Glimmer & Gold - four stemless Chevalier champagne flutes showcasing a gleaming electroplated gold finish and 11.1-ounce capacity, paired with the vibrant 2019 Ultra Brut, crisp with notes of lime zest, honeydew melon, and shortbread cookie $95 | $76 club price. The Winning Match brings the gift of connection with the classic 2021 Estate Brut displaying rich, round notes of pear, ginger, and lemon crisp with lingering toastiness, paired with Umbra's eye-catching Stax Four-in-a-Row game - sleek, sculptural, and the perfect pastime while lingering over bubbles $100 | $80 club price. For that fashionable friend who sips in style, Coupes de Rosé features four flirty coupes with a vintage petal design in blushing pink handblown crystal, ready to be filled with the sophisticated 2021 Brut Rosé brimming with notes of tangerine, peach, and rose petal $110 | $88 club price. The ultimate luxury for the sparkling aficionado, Sommelier's Dream includes a dramatic stainless-steel saber blade engraved with the Domaine Carneros logo, complete with a black lacquer stand housed in a beautiful wood display box with latch for safe storage, paired with the unparalleled 2017 Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs - finely detailed, age-worthy, and destined to impress with intricate layers of ginger, crème brûlée, and citrus zest $353 | $282.40 club price. In addition to all the great gourmet and non-food offerings, the winery has 11 beautifully packaged wine gift sets that highlight all sparkling wines, sets of sparkling wine and Pinot Noir, estate wines and much more. Packaged in attractive gift boxes in an array of colors, all gifts can be viewed here. The winery offers many options for corporate gifting that are customizable for every price point. For customized gifting for corporate clients, contact the gift concierge by text or phone at 707-266-5128. All gifts are available for winery pickup. For receipt by Thanksgiving, the last day for ground shipping outside of California is November 18th, within California, November 23rd. For receipt by Christmas, the last day for ground shipping outside of California is December 16th, within California, December 21st. Chateau Society members enjoy a 20% discount on all gift sets with $1 shipping on all orders of $149 or more, non-club members enjoy $10 shipping from November 1 till December 31, 2025. For more elegant, thoughtful gift ideas, delicious recipes, or delightful pairings for your festive entertaining this season, please visit the Domaine Carneros blog. Happy Holidays! A votre santé! 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 415.701.9463 or Sofia Spieler sofia@charlescomm.com  
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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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