Latest news with #DomaineCarneros
Business Insider
12-07-2025
- Business Insider
I've traveled to 77 wine regions across the world. Here are the 5 that everyone should visit at least once.
I write about wine for my job and have been to 77 wine regions around the world. Some of my favorite regions are Breede River Valley, Napa Valley, Tuscany, and McLaren Vale. In my opinion, these regions define the peak of the wine-making and consumption experience. I travel to wine regions across the world for my work as a freelance wine writer. As part of my "research duties," I've hunted for truffles in Barolo, touched down at the only winery in the US with its own airport, and even explored a prison island in Italy that utilizes viticulture to rehabilitate inmates and teach them new skills while also producing world-class wine. Although I've been to 77 wine regions, not every single one is worth revisiting. There are just five I'd return to tomorrow if given the chance. Napa Valley is like Disneyland for adults who love wine. There's nothing like California's Napa Valley region, which is complete with a stunning 47-mile bike trail through wine country and, of course, incredible wine. Part of the area's charm is the small size, coupled with the incredible diversity found within. It's compact enough to be drivable in less than an hour. Even so, I truly believe you could spend a lifetime exploring Napa, without getting thirsty or bored. It's got more than 400 wineries and dozens of urban tasting rooms to choose from, plus some of the most critically acclaimed cabernet sauvignons in the world. Some of the local wine experiences are also pretty unique, including the Napa Valley Wine Train, with hourslong curated experiences that include gourmet food pairings. Don't miss this winery: If there's one winery you have to visit in Napa, it's Domaine Carneros. Set in the rolling hills of Carneros and celebrated for its méthode traditionelle sparkling wine, it is a must-visit for tasting experiences. McLaren Vale is a gem in Australia. Australia is vast, with 65 different wine regions crushing over a million tons of grapes a year. However, one of the country's most definitive and stunning regions is also one of its most accessible: McLaren Vale. Just 45 minutes south of Adelaide, the 168-square-mile region is fairly laid-back and situated between pristine beaches on the Gulf St. Vincent coast and Mount Lofty Ranges. One of the best ways to visit wine country in McLaren Vale is on two wheels. Consider biking the Shiraz Trail, which passes iconic wineries like Hugh Hamilton, Serafino, and Oxenberry. Don't miss this winery: If you're in McLaren Vale, visit D'Arenberg. The historic winery produces an incredible range of quirkily named bottles with names like Dead Arm and Low Life. However, the real draw for visitors is the mind-bending five-story Cube on the property. The building's highlight is a tasting room at the top with panoramic views of McLaren Vale, the Willunga Hills, and the Gulf St. Vincent. Bordeaux is a must-visit wine region in France. There are thousands of wineries and more than 270,000 acres of grapes under vine in Bordeaux. The wider region consists famously of the Left Bank and Right Bank regions, situated on either side of the Gironde River. Traditionally, Bordeaux wines are blends — Left Bank wines are typically dominated by cabernet sauvignon, and Right Bank wines are ruled by merlot. Beyond wine, the city offers impressive museums, stunning neoclassical buildings, gorgeous river walks, and many farm-to-table bistros and wine bars. I've spent days just strolling around Bordeaux, running into architectural masterpieces and hole-in-the-wall wine shops with hundreds of coveted, impossible-to-buy-elsewhere bottles. Plus, it's just a two-hour train ride from Paris, making it an excellent stop if you want to experience local wine culture during a trip to the City of Lights. Don't miss this winery: If you're just swooping into Bordeaux for a brief trip, head to Chateau Mouton Rothschild. Visits are by reservation only, and include tours of the winery's own Museum of Wine in Art with exceptional rarities and original artworks created by contemporary painters for Mouton Rothschild's famous, unique labels for each vintage. South Africa's Breede River Valley is stunning. South Africa offers some of the world's most stunning and progressive wine regions, with hundreds of thousands of acres of grapes under vine. I suggest visiting the Breede River Valley, one of the largest wine production areas in the Western Cape. Almost encircled by mountain ranges, the 80-mile-long valley hosts a range of boutique operations producing premium wines and sprawling co-ops cranking out value-priced wines on a large scale. Don't miss this winery: One of the best places to experience authentic South African charm is the Graham Beck Estate. The winery produces a range of entry-level to long-aged bottles and collectible Cap Classiques (made in the Champagne method). Plus, the sprawling estate is home to a variety of rare animals, including Cape leopards and zebras. Tuscany feels like a picture-perfect slice of Italy. Tuscany is one of those rare places that actually looks, feels, and tastes even better than it does in the movies. It's the spiritual home of Italian wine, complete with unvarnished views of rolling hills populated by olive trees, vineyards, charming farmhouses, sunflowers, medieval castles, and enchanting towns. While tasting delectable wines (the area's known for its reds), you can also treat your palate to fresh olive oil, shaved truffles, and homemade pasta. Don't miss this winery: Castello Banfi was founded in 1978 by the Long Island-based Mariani family, but the history of the Banfi Castle dates back to the medieval era. Today, it's an almost cartoonishly perfect setting for an Italian wine adventure. Swing in for a day and tour the winery, vineyards, and portions of the castle. Stay for longer and dine at the Michelin-starred La Sala dei Grappoli, which serves elevated Puglian and Tuscan cuisine perfectly paired with Castello Banfi's Brunello wines.
Forbes
19-06-2025
- Forbes
5 Best Sparkling Wine Houses In Northern California
A toast to Gloria Ferrer, one of our favorite labels in Napa Valley for bubbles. Although sparkling wine was born in Europe, wineries in California excel at producing bubbly. While bottles from Napa Valley can't be called champagne — that term is reserved for sparkling wine exclusively made in the Champagne region of France — modern California sparklers are on par with their French counterparts. There's no better place to learn about these exceptional wines than at the facility where they are made. A visit to the winery can involve a tour of the grapevines and production area and unique tasting experiences that vary depending on where you go. Luxury travelers and wine enthusiasts will find plenty to toast at these standout sparkling wine houses — don't be surprised if you end your visit with a few bottles (and maybe even a wine club membership) in hand. Bottles and bites from Domaine Carneros. If you've ever driven on Highway 12 in the Carneros region between Sonoma and Napa, you've probably noticed the stately chateau atop a hill. Many of California's sparkling wine houses were created by prominent French producers, and this gorgeous, French-inspired estate is Domaine Carneros. Claude Tattinger selected the 138-acre plot for this project in 1987. For the past 37 years, Domaine Carneros has consistently churned out superb sparklers, from its classic brut cuvée to its higher-end Blanc de Blancs known as Le Rêve. CEO Remi Cohen leads the brand today, producing more than 10 distinct sparkling wines and a handful of still reds. A tasting at Domaine Carneros requires a reservation. Be sure to allow two to three hours for the best experience — you'll want to fully immerse yourself in the glamour of this elegant sparkling wine house. There are several culinary pairings to choose from, like Peruvian bites, oysters and caviar. The generous team also surprises and delights with revisits and pours of off-menu wines. Schramsberg was the first American sparkling wine served at a White House state dinner. Back in 1965, Jack and Jamie Davies set out to create America's most prestigious sparkling wine with Schramsberg Vineyards. The couple officially achieved success in 1972, when a bottle of Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs became the first American sparkling wine served at a White House state dinner. Since then, every president has poured Schramsberg at one point or another. The charming property Schramsberg calls home is in Calistoga. The brand takes its name from its original owner, Jacob Schram, a German immigrant who purchased the land and started making wine there in the 1860s. Jack and Jamie's son, Hugh, who was coincidentally born in 1965, oversees the winemaking today. Although the team offers several tastings, we recommend booking one that includes a cave tour. Dug in 1870 by Chinese laborers, it's Napa's original hillside wine-aging cave. Schramsberg stores its bottles in the caves today, and a fact-filled tour allows you to feel the region's rich history. An interesting piece of trivia: one of the reasons Schramsberg's fizz is more decadent and luscious than other bubbles is that 25% of the juice is fermented in oak barrels. The resulting wine is complex, balanced and refined. Iron Horse produces a stable of standout sparkling wines. Iron Horse Vineyards is arguably Sonoma County's most prolific sparkling wine house. It's more rustic and enchanting than the refined grande dames of Napa, but that is part of its allure. When Audrey and Barry Sterling bought the estate in 1976, western Sonoma County was believed to be too cold to make wine. The Sterlings changed that way of thinking by pioneering the region's AVA, Green Valley, and were the first to value cooler Sonoma as a great place to produce chardonnay and pinot noir. Today, their children run the certified sustainable and regenerative winery, which overlooks a picturesque valley. Iron Horse produces several types of sparkling wine, from late-disgorged bruts to classic pink champagne. The vineyards' unfussy tastings take place standing outside around wine barrels. It's one of the few places where you can enjoy a picnic, as outside food is permitted. Reservations are required for both the casual tasting and the picnic table. You can taste the French tradition in Roederer Estate's wines. Roederer Estate is the California outpost of the esteemed French champagne house, Louis Roederer. The team is committed to producing terroir-driven bubbles that reflect the character of Mendocino's Anderson Valley. French tradition abounds: Roederer has only had two winemakers since its 1982 inception, and both were Frenchmen. Sustainability is also a focus as the brand farms 25% of the appellation's 2,500 planted vineyard acres, and all grapes are grown on the estate. Earlier this year, Roederer unveiled a new hospitality center with sweeping vineyard views. Book the sparkling wine tour, and you'll discover how the world-class pours are produced and get a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking facility. If you're hungry, small bites from Roederer Estate's kitchen include Marcona almonds, duck rillettes and local caviar. Before the Tattingers set up Domaine Carneros, the Ferrers, the family behind the legendary Spanish cava brand Freixenet, established the first sparkling wine house in Carneros with Gloria Ferrer in 1984. The winery is sustainably operated, with a commitment to green business practices, energy conservation, biodiversity and more. Pull up to the tasting room on a hill overlooking the valley below, and the beautifully landscaped olive trees transport you to Catalonia. Stunning views aside, another thing that makes Gloria Ferrer special is the fact that you don't need a reservation to pop by and grab a glass of Royal Cuvee Rose. However, reservations for a culinary experience, including brunch, are required. When it comes to food, there's a bevy of tasting options, ranging from bites to a full three-course meal. The dining also reflects Gloria Ferrer's heritage: chorizo, charcuterie and tapas like gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp) from Spain.
Associated Press
16-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Domaine Carneros Celebrates 20 Years of Solar Leadership This Earth Day
- Pioneer in Sustainable Winemaking Launches State-of-the-Art Microgrid, Further Cementing Environmental Leadership - NAPA, Calif., April 16, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — As Earth Day approaches on April 22, 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: 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: 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: '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. Learn more: MEDIA CONTACT: For additional information, images, and interview requests, please contact Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET of Charles Communications Associates at [email protected] or 415-701-WINE (9463) NEWS SOURCE: Domaine Carneros Keywords: Wines and Vineyards, Domaine Carneros Winery, sustainability, earth day, microgrid, solar power, solar energy, green business, NAPA, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Domaine Carneros) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P125546 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
