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

Winery Descriptions, Driving directions, Tasting Room Hours, Contact Information

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

Tips for your Carnereos Wine Tour

You are encouraged to have a designated driver. Consider hiring a limousine or van service.

First time to a winery in Napa? Find out what happens in a typical tasting room.

Are you wondering about how to taste wine? Wine Tasting Techniques

Almost wineries in the Napa Valley charge a tasting fee. Expect to pay $10 or more to taste. Two people can always elect to share a tasting.

Plan a picnic lunch. This is one of wine country's greatest pleasures.

If you cannot picnic, enjoy a delicious lunch at one of Napa Valley's many fine restaurants.

We list premium lodging and budget lodging.

Pace yourself and make a day of wine tasting. Don't forget your camera.

Visiting three wineries in one day is enough to you keep you busy and content with the slow and easy pace of wine country.

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