Some of the most intriguing aspects of Domaine Carneros are those that largely go unnoticed by the fans that flock to the iconic Northern California landmark. Guests likely are unaware that Napa Valley’s sparkling wine icon, founded in 1987, is certified sustainable. Visitors probably don’t know that the winery features a solar micro-grid and battery system that supply 85% of the winery’s power, the first of its kind among Napa wineries, or that staff’s regular practice of composting, recycling, and reuse diverts tons of solid waste from landfills. Likewise, the winery’s packaging reuse program, whereby cases and inserts are repurposed for in-house use, is likely overlooked, as is the practice of using grape pomace from harvest to feed local cattle.
Such award-winning actions (Napa Climate NOW! awarded Domaine Carneros the 2020 Climate Champion in the Business category) might not seem essential for producing luscious Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines, but the Domaine Carneros winemaking team begs to differ. “We will never stop striving to make better wines with a lighter, more sustainable footprint,” said winemaker TJ Evans.
To wine taste at the Domaine Carneros Château (architecturally inspired by the historic Château de la Marquetterie owned by Champagne Taittinger in France’s Champagne region) is to share in the winery’s many passions, and chief among these passions, naturally, is fine sparkling wine. The small grower/producer has become a California sparkling wine benchmark, reflecting both the individuality of its Carneros AVA terroir and the craftsmanship of its French Champagne Taittinger family-founded legacy. Offerings include 100% estate and sustainably grown Brut and Rosé wines, in everyday to luxury cuvees, with interesting Late Disgorged and Ultra Brut options. Its most esteemed bottling, Le Rêve, made in limited quantities annually, is regularly described as America’s best sparkling wine.
Château visitors are offered a plethora of tasting options to be enjoyed within various on-property venues, such as the elegant Jardin d’Hiver, inspired by the Gustave Eiffel-designed glass buildings of the mid-late 1800s that protected plants and citrus trees on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Gracefully curved glass walls, skylights, white marble tables, an indoor/outdoor fireplace, and a majestic fountain overlook endless rolling vineyards. Here, guests can indulge in meticulously prepared current-vintage wine and food pairings such as The Ultimate Chips & Dip tasting ($350/couple) featuring a taste of three highly treasured wines alongside three ½ ounce servings of Tsar Nicoulai Caviar paired with rich crème fraîche and potato chips. Bubbles & Bites ($90/person) offers a specially curated pairing highlighting the flavors of Spain and includes four savory Spanish-themed bites and one sweet paired with four sparkling wines. Can’t make it to the winery? Select a flight for shipment and schedule a personal virtual tasting via Zoom with a wine educator.
