Top Carneros Wineries
to Visit
In search of fine Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Sparkling Wine |
Tour the Top Carneros Wineries in the Carneros Wine Appellation
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. For
this tour we have selected a mix of wineries that will provide you
a memorable experience in the world famous Carneros wine
region. The Carneros wine appellation
is located at the southern end of Napa and Sonoma Counties. See
map for details. 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 less
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.
Cline Cellars
Although the Carneros regions is recognized for its fine Chardonnay
and Pinot Noir wines, the Cline winery was one of the first to grow
Rhone varietals in the cool climate of the Carneros region. Cline
produces a Syrah and Viognier as well as the rarely-produced varietals
of Marsanne and Rousanne. The tasting room is a restored 1850 farmhouse
and is very charming. The extensive grounds are very beautiful,
providing a good choice for a picnic lunch. In addition to its 350
acres of vineyards in the Carneros region, Cline also has vineyards
in Contra Costa County, and near the town of Petaluma in Sonoma
County. Cline is on Highway 121 about 4 miles from Highway 37.
Tasting room open daily 10 am to 6,
Phone (800) 546-2070, E-mail: info@clinecellars.com, Cline
Cellars
Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves
One mile away from Cline is the entrance to Gloria Ferrer, the producer
of fine sparkling wines. Watch for it on the left. Gloria Ferrer
is a very beautiful and elegant winery set back on a hillside. The
tasting room is set up like a wine bar. You pay by the glass for
a very healthy taste of wine. You can sit and relax either inside
or outside on a deck. In addition to their sparking wines, Gloria
Ferrer also produces a Chardonnay, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. You can
bring your lunch, order a glass of fine sparkling wine, and sit
out on the deck enjoying the spectacular vineyards below. Weekends
are popular, so getting a table can be a wait.
Tasting room open daily 10:30 am to 5:30
Phone (707) 996-7256, E-mail: info@gloriaferrer.com, Gloria
Ferrer
About a mile past Gloria Ferrer there is a major intersection.
Take Highway 121 to the right. In a little less than one mile,
take a right on Millerick Road. The Larson Family Winery is about
half a mile down this road
Larson Family Winery
A visit to the Larson Family Winery is a much
different experience than any other winery on this wine trail.
The atmosphere here is relaxed and laid back. Tom and Becky Larson
are the owners and you are likely to find them at work on the premises.
The winery was once the site of the largest rodeo in the Bay Area.
A beautiful mural in the tasting room depicts this event. Behind
the historic Captain's house, which is available as a vacation
rental, is the Sonoma Creek. It is hard to imagine that steam
ships once traveled up Sonoma Creek to dock here. Best of all,
though, are the wines. The estate Chardonnay, which comes with
a screw top, is very fruity and balanced. The estate Gewurtztraminer
is a delightful, refreshing wine, and the Pinot Noir an outstanding,
flavorful wine. There is a very nice picnic area complete with
a Bocce Ball court.
Tasting room open daily 10:00 am to 5
Phone: (707) 938-3031 et. 20, E-mail:
becky@larsonfamilywinery.com
Larson Family Winery
Domaine Carneros
Get back on Highway 121/12 and head east about four miles and turn
right on Duhig. 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 10:00 am to 6
Phone: (707) 257-0101, E-mail: events@domainecarneros.com
Domaine
Carneros
Bouchaine Vineyards
From Domaine Carneros turn right on Duhig Road. Drive two miles
and 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 into 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 room open daily, 10:30 to 4
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.
Tasting room open daily 10 to 5
Phone: (707)254-2140, E-mail: Info@artesawinery.com, Artesa
Vineyard
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