In Napa Carneros Wine Trail, we feature some exciting and beautiful wineries. Enjoy the spectacular views at Domaine Carneros and the Artesa Winery. The backroads off the main highway are so fantastic. Enjoy them!
Carneros Napa Wine Trail | Top Wineries to Visit
• Domaine Carneros – An icon on the Carneros Highway, wonderful sparkling wines
• Cuvaison – Sit-down wine tasting, enjoy the vineyard view
• Bouchaine Vineyards – Chardonnay & Pinot Noir specialists on hidden backroad
• Artesa Vineyards – spectacular architecture, fountains, views. Amazing art by Gordon Huether
• Truchard Vineyards – Old Carneros winery, run by husband wife team of Tony & Jo Ann Truchard
We recommend that you visit only three tasting rooms in one day. Check out our favorite wineries in the Carneros Sonoma Wine Route.
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Dining and Lodging Recommendations
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 problems or issues. These tour directions are from the Golden Gate Bridge. 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. This route takes you by the famous Sonoma Raceway.
Domaine Carneros
Take Highway 121/12 and head east about four miles and turn right on Duhig Road. Domaine Carneros is the California branch of the Champagne Taittinger, the great Champagne house of France. The Chateau is a landmark in Carneros and a trendy spot for wine tourists. There are several choices for tasting and touring. We love to sit on the terrace and enjoy the views with a glass of delicious sparkling wine. Check the Domaine Carneros Website for tasting choices. Reservations are also required for the terrace tasting.
Tasting room open daily 10am to 5:30 pm. Reservations required.
Domaine Carneros
Cuvaison
Cuvaison will host you for a sit-down tasting of delicious Chardonnay wines plus Pinot Noir and other tasty wines. Not only are the wine deligihtful, but the scenery is breathtaking. The tasting experience is first class and memorable. Plan your trip to Cuvasion accordingly; you will need a reservation for this experience.
Open daily by prior appointment.
Cuvaison
Bouchaine Vineyards
Bouchaine Vineyards is in the backroads of Carneros, off the beaten path. A new facility surrounded by spectacular vineyards awaits the wine travel. Bouchaine is family-owned and small. Visitors will experience the warmth of the family atmosphere. Because Bouchaine is in the backroads, it is less visible to tourists. Here is a spot where you can escape the crowds.
Tasting room open daily 10:30 to 5 pm
Bouchaine Vineyards
Artesa Vineyards and Winery
Artesa is undoubtedly 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 was established in 1991 by one of Spain’s great wine families, Codorníu. Since we are in Carneros, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the leading wines, but there are others to try. Try the Albariño, a delicious white wine that is a favorite in Spain.
Tasting room open daily 11 to 5 pm.
Artesa Vineyards and Winery
Truchard Vineyards
Truchard is a beautiful 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. Initially, the winery had 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 observe carefully. The address on Old Sonoma Road is 3234.
Tours & wine tastings By Appointment Only
Truchard Vineyards
Advice for your Caneros Wine Tour:
You are encouraged to have a designated driver | Consider a limousine or van service
First time to a winery? Find out what happens in a typical tasting room.
Are you wondering about how to taste wine? Wine Tasting Techniques
Pace yourself and make a day of wine tasting.
There are other Carneros wineries on our wine tour; if you see one that strikes your fancy , drop in and tell us what you think.
Plan for a picnic lunch at one of the wineries.
Use our Trip Planner to map your wine trail
More Information on Sonoma Wineries
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