Sonoma Carneros

The Sonoma Side of Carneros

For the Ferrers, whose Spanish sparkling winegrowing experience is generations-deep, the potential of Los Carneros was unmistakable. In 1982, when José, Gloria, and their sons, Pedro and José Maria Ferrer first visited the western hills of Carneros, they recognized the ideal climate for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — and thus the perfect terroir for brilliant sparkling wines. Warm days, cool nights, predictable winds, summer fog, and a long growing season coax grapes to maturity slowly and consistently with a desirable balance of sugar and acidity.

The enological intuition that encouraged the Ferrer’s to purchase the Carneros land was confirmed one year later when Los Carneros became the first wine region to receive an American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation based on climate and soil rather than political boundaries. Spanning both Napa and Sonoma counties, Carneros is defined by maritime influences, with cooler summer temperatures and moderate winters. The region’s growing conditions encourage longer hang times, translating into fully ripe grapes with lower sugars, great acidity, and lush fruit flavors — ideal for wines crafted to complement a diverse array of foods.