Wine Tasting in Carneros
The Carneros AVA has become one of the premier regions of the
Napa Valley for wine tasting. Carneros is the closest wine
region to San Francisco, making it the first stop for many wine
tours through the Napa Valley.
Because of its proximity to the San Pablo bay, the day time
temperature is moderated by wind and fog from this body of
water. This makes for excellent conditions for growing Pinot
Noir and Chardonnay. Subsequently, some of the best American
sparkling wine producers are located in the AVA.
You do not have to be a wine expert to enjoy tasting in
Carneros. But since Carneros was awarded AVA status in 1980, the
number of resident wineries in has greatly increased. So with
limited time and budget, which ones do you visit?
No matter how prestigious the area is, no wine is guaranteed to
be good. There are so many factors that go into viticulture and
winemaking, choosing a wine based solely on the region is
basically a shot in the dark. The same can be said for deciding
which wineries to visit on a wine tour.
When planning a wine tasting tour, consider wineries that
produce the varietals you enjoy or would like to experience. For
example, if you want to taste Champagne style Sparkling Wines,
Domaine Carneros should be at the top of your list. This winery
is owned Taittinger Champagne House. Their stunning Chateau has
become a Carneros Landmark, and is among the most beautiful
wineries in Napa County. Domaine also offers a thirty minute
tour of their facilities, which culminates in their tasting room
with spectacular views of their vineyards.
For Pinot Noir aficionados, you cannot go wrong with Acacia
Winery. If you choose to visit Acacia, I would advise tasting
the 2002 Beckstoffer Pinot Noir; you will not be disappointed.
If you would like to taste a wider range of varietals, visit
Artesa Winery. They have produced several wines made with
several different grapes that have received 90 + points from
major wine ratings. This, along with their winery's recent 10
million dollar renovation has made Artesa a premier destination
in Carneros.
Cline Cellars is also a pleasure to
visit. Their tasting room is
a restored 1850's farmhouse, and they have a picnic site on the
premises that overlooks their 350 acre vineyard. This makes
Cline Cellars a great place to taste wine and enjoy your lunch.
Aside from the wine itself, other pleasing aspects of tasting
experience lie in the beauty of the tasting room, winery and
surrounding landscape. Although it does not take a beautiful
setting to enjoy a great wine, it definitely adds to the
experience.
The taster's overall experience is by far the most important
part of wine tasting. Most wineries in Carneros realize this,
and offer whatever they can to make your trip more enjoyable.
Many tastings will be hosted by a member of the winemaking team,
so they can answer questions and explain the subtleties of the
wines. Whichever wineries you visit, make sure to bring your
tasting room etiquette.
First of all, it is not advisable to bring children into the
tasting room. As far as the actual tasting is concerned, white
wines are generally poured first, followed by reds, and finally
desert wines. Within each of these, the lighter bodied wines
precede fuller bodied ones. Between each wine, it is common
practice to eat a cracker to cleanse your palate.
It is not necessary to finish each wine you taste; it is
actually discouraged, especially if you are planning to taste
many different wines. Wineries will provide jars to dispose of
any excess wine. Additionally, do not feel obligated to try
every wine that is offered.
If you ask for a second tasting, it is in good taste to buy a
bottle of wine. It is by no means necessary to buy wine when
tasting, but if you make an appointment with a smaller winery,
it is customary to make a purchase.
If you are thinking about visiting the Napa Valley, Carneros is
an excellent place to start your journey into what many people
describe as "heaven on earth."
About the author:
Benjamin Bicais lives in the Napa Valley and has written several
articles about Napa Valley Wine Tours in Carneros.
Written by: Benjamin Bicais
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