Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros is a Napa Valley estate founded by one of Champagne's most world-renowned houses – Taittinger. Domaine Carneros encompasses five vineyards in the Carneros AVA planted to a combination of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The estate originated with Claude Taittinger's selection of a 56 hectare (138 acre) parcel of land in 1987. Since then the core focus of Domaine Carneros has centered on the creation of methóde traditionnelle sparkling wines, spanning Champagne styles from Brut to Blanc de Blancs. In 1992 the estate's wine range was supplemented by the addition of a still Pinot Noir wine. Following this foray into still wine, Domaine Carneros expanded its collection to include a limited production Pinot Noir rosé and single-vineyard Chardonnay wines.

The 142 ha (350 acre) estate comprises 91 ha (225 acres) of vineyard devoted to Pinot Noir and 51 ha (125 acres) planted with Chardonnay. The grapes are all harvested by hand either at night or in the early hours of the morning in order to reduce astringency. These grapes are then transported to the winery where they are placed in a membrane press without crushing or destemming. Only the first pressing of the cuvée is used for the production of each wine. The wines are then aged according to their particular style. For example, Domaine Carneros's Brut, Rosé, Ultra Brut and Blanc de Noir sparkling wines undergo three years of aging in bottle, whereas its Blanc de Blancs wine is aged in bottle for six years.

Domaine Carneros is dedicated to sustainable viticulture and in 2003 installed a solar collection that was the largest of its kind out of any winery in the world. In 2014 the estate became a Napa Green Certified Winery and in the following year gained accreditation from the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing program, as well as being awarded Napa Green Certified Land status.