Top Carneros Wineries
to Visit - Napa Side
In search of fine Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and
Sparkling Wine | Tour the Top Carneros Wineries in the Carneros
Wine Appellation of Napa County
The Carneros wine appellation is renowned worldwide for its fine Chardonnay,
Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
vineyards located here thrive on the mild summer days and the cooling
afternoon breeze from the San Pablo Bay. The Carneros wine region
spans both Napa and Sonoma Counties. In this wine trail we feature
what we think are the most interesting wineries for wine country
travelers to visit on the Napa side of Carneros. There are other
wineries, but having scouted the entire Carneros region, these
are our favorites. Carneros
Wine Map
Winery Descriptions, Driving directions, Tasting Room Hours
Directions: The Carneros wine region can be approached
from either the Golden Gate Bridge or the San Francisco-Oakland
Bay Bridge. Usually, the Golden Gate Bridge route contains fewer
traffic obstacles. These tour directions are from the Golden Gate
Bridge but can easily be reversed. Please refer to our map
of the Carneros wineries. From the Golden Gate Bridge, take Highway
101. Exit 101 to Highway 37 towards Vallejo. Turn left onto Highway
121 towards Sonoma and Napa.
Domaine Carneros
Take Highway 121/12 and head east about four miles and turn
right on Duhig Road. Domaine Carneros was founded by Champagne
Taittinger, the great Champagne house of France. The Chateau-style
winery has become a familiar Carneros landmark on Highway 121.
Its fine sparkling wines have become a symbol of the character
and quality of wines produced in the Carneros region. Domaine
Carneros offers 30-minute tours throughout the day. The tour
includes a 10-minute video and a walk along an observation area
where the bottling operations can be viewed. For tasting, visitors
can choose from a menu of sparkling wines and Pinot Noir selections.
On a beautiful day, the terrace outside the tasting room is the
place to be. With a glass of fine sparkling wine and a remarkable
view, life can’t
get much better.
Tasting room open daily 10 to 6 pm.
Phone: (707) 257-0101, e-mail: events@domainecarneros.com
Domaine
Carneros
Cuvaison
Cuvaison opened this beautiful new tasting room in April of 2009. The tasting
room is open and airy with beautiful views of Carneros vineyards. Guests
are treated to a sit down wine tasting and the pace is slow and relaxing.
Cuvaison has some 400 acres in Carneros and produces a range of Chardonnay
and Pinot Noir wines from this property. A state-of-the-art winery is nearby
but no tours are given. Cuvaison is also on Duhig Road and the entrance is
just across from Domaine Carneros.
Tasting room open daily 10 to 5 pm.
Phone: (707) 257-0101, e-mail: info@cuvaison.com
Bouchaine Vineyards
From Domaine Carneros or Cuvaison turn west on Duhig Road and drive
for two miles. Turn left at Las Amigas and then drive
one mile to Buchli Station Road. Bouchaine sits on the southern
tip of the Carneros region very near to where the Napa river
empties into San Pablo Bay. It is an extraordinarily beautiful
spot. A laid back and relaxed atmosphere pervades the tasting
room. The back deck area looks out onto a beautiful vineyard
and is one of the most enjoyable spots in the wine country for
wine tasting. The winery produces high quality Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay wines from their estate, 100 acres in the Carneros
Appellation, and from contracts with various growers in the region. Tasting
fee is $15 inside, $30 on the deck with cheese, olives, almonds.
Tasting room open daily, 10:30 to 4 pm
Phone: (800) 654-WINE, e-mail: info@bouchaine.com, Bouchaine
Vineyards
Artesa Vineyards and Winery
To get to Artesa from Bouchaine, backtrack to Highway 121 and then
turn right. In just a short distance will be Old Sonoma Road.
Turn left and head for Dealy Lane. Dealy Lane becomes Henry
and then follow the visitor signs to the entrance to Artesa.
Artesa is certainly one of the more spectacular looking wineries.
Its architecture, fountains, and beautiful view are worth the
trip to this popular destination spot for wine country travelers.
Artesa produces four distinct labels of wine. The wines are
produced from the estate acres in the Carneros region as well
as from grapes obtained from growers in several other wine regions
of California. The reserve line reflects the very best selection
from these vineyards. These are limited production wines. The
tasting area is absolutely beautiful. There is also a terrace
where you sit and sip your wine and take in a fabulous view
of the Carneros wine region. The tasting fee varies from $2
to $10 depending on how you choose to taste the wines. The winery
also has a display area on the Carneros wine region and an area
devoted to the history of wine making. Book
a tasting through VinoVisit.
Tasting room open daily 10 to 5 pm.
Phone: (707)254-2140, e-mail: Info@artesawinery.com. Artesa
Vineyard
Truchard Vineyards
This is a wonderful family winery to visit. It is open by appointment
only, so that means you will get lots of attention and enjoy
some excellent white and red wines. Truchard is one of the earliest
wineries to produce wine from the Carneros wine region. Tony
Truchard and his wife Jo Ann founded the winery in 1974 by purchasing
20 acres of land. Over the years, they have expanded their holding
in Carneros to 160 acres. To get to Truchard, get back on Old
Sonoma Road and drive up the road for about one and a quarter
miles. It is a small sign, so watch carefully. The address on
Old Sonoma Road is 3234.
Tours & wine tastings Monday through Friday – By Appointment
Only
Phone: (707) 253 7153, e-mail: Truchard Website
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