The Good Life Show
Mike Wreyford talks to Remi Cohen from Domaine Carneros about California’s sparkling wine!
THE HISTORY
Founded in the Carneros appellation of Northern California by the Champagne Taittinger family, Domaine Carneros is a small grower producer of ultra-premium Carneros sparkling wines and limited production Pinot Noirs. Thirty years after the winery’s inaugural harvest, Domaine Carneros has become the benchmark for California sparkling wine, reflecting both the individuality of the Carneros’ terroir and the craftsmanship of its French legacy.
Intent on staking a future in California’s promising wine industry, the Taittinger family purchased a 138-acre vineyard in the heart of Carneros in 1986. The appellation that spans the southern tip of both Sonoma and Napa Valleys, Carneros’ cool climate is ideally suited for cultivating exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, perfect for producing the elegant, balanced wines for which Domaine Carneros is known.
After an exhaustive search that same year, the Taittingers selected Eileen Crane as Domaine Carneros’ founding winemaker. While directing the first vintage, she was also tasked with overseeing the planning and construction of the winery. Crane is not only one of the industry’s pioneering women, but also the most experienced American Sparkling wine producer with over 40 years to her credit. Her pursuit of excellence in viticulture, winemaking and hospitality has made Domaine Carneros an epochal California winery.
In 2020, 33 years later, Crane passed the torch to a new CEO, Remi Cohen, whose role carries on the Taittinger tradition of visionary female leadership. Ushering in a new era, Cohen brings two decades of experience in all facets of the wine industry, to Domaine Carneros.
THE CHÂTEAU
Completed in 1989, the 18th century château-style building was architecturally inspired by the historic Château de la Marquetterie owned by Champagne Taittinger in France’s Champagne region. Situated atop a knoll and overlooking endless rolling vineyards, the elegant property is an iconic Northern California landmark. The château houses the winery’s facilities as well as beautiful salons for visitors and wine club members.
Sitting just behind the main château and styled after a French carriage house is the Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir facility. When it was completed in 2003, the state-of-the-art building housed the largest solar collection system of any winery in the world. In the summer of 2021, a state of the art microgrid system will be installed, taking the winery’s conservation efforts to a new level.
The summer of 2018 marked the completion of the highly-anticipated and beautifully designed Jardin d’Hiver – a conservatory-style addition to the north terrace of the renowned Domaine Carneros château, which will allow guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of Carneros and surrounding vineyards while being shielded from the weather.
In keeping with the 18th century French design of the landmark château, the Jardin d’Hiver takes its inspiration from the glass buildings created by Gustave Eiffel in the mid-late 1800’s to protect plants and citrus trees on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. With its custom-crafted, gracefully curved glass walls, skylights, white marble tables, indoor/outdoor fireplace and majestic new fountain, the Jardin d’Hiver offers guests an inviting and warm, yet elegant space to enjoy the fine wines, gracious hospitality and sweeping views for which Domaine Carneros is known.
Offering a selection of flights of sparkling wine, still wine or a combination of both along with artisanal cheeses, charcuterie and salmon, the breadth of hospitality at the winery is world class.
THE VINEYARDS: A COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY
Since the late 1980s, Domaine Carneros has farmed sustainably. Located entirely within the Carneros AVA, the six estate vineyards total approximately 400 acres with 125 acres planted to Chardonnay, 225 acres planted to Pinot Noir, with the remaining acres currently in development.
Domaine Carneros is committed to the sustainability of its land and has been certified by Fish Friendly Farming (FFF), and holds both the Certified California Sustainable Winegrower (CCSW) and the Napa Green designation.
WINEMAKING
The Domaine Carneros winemaking team is led by Zak Miller, Sparkling Winemaker, and TJ Evans, Pinot Noir Winemaker, who are committed to handcrafting ultra-premium Sparkling and Pinot Noir wines from hand-harvested, estate-grown grapes, underscoring the importance of gentle handling and attention to detail found in each bottle.
Crane continues to consult with the winemaking team, and given her decades of experience working in Carneros, in conjunction with Miller and Evans, the winemaking team has an intimate and expert knowledge of these world class vineyards. This level of excellence and skill allows the team the ability to refine all areas of vineyard management and winemaking at Domaine Carneros, producing elegant and balanced sparkling wines with tiny beading, subtle fruit aromas, a round palate and a long finish. The sparkling wines are aged a minimum of three years for added complexity and mouthfeel.
WINES
Domaine Carneros is renowned for its luxurious, elegant and complex range of sparkling wines that are 100% estate grown, making it akin to a grower champagne producer in France. With offerings that include Brut and Rosé wines, every day to luxury cuvees, with interesting Late Disgorged and Ultra Brut options, the range has something for every palate and occasion. Its luxury cuvee, Le Rêve, made in limited quantities annually is regularly described as American’s best sparkling wine. In addition to the range of sparkling wine, since 1992, the winery has crafted single vineyard and estate Pinot Noir wines from over 20 different clones planted in six vineyards.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Domaine Carneros château and terrace is open for tastings outdoors on our tented terrace in accordance with California’s COVID-19 mandates. Contactless curbside pickup is also available for wine. For more information, please call 800.716.2788 or visit www.domainecarneros.com.
