Domaine Carneros was established in 1987 as a joint venture between Champagne Taittinger and the Kopf family of Kobrand Corporation, who distribute Taittinger in the U.S. Eileen Crane, who played a key role in its founding, served as winemaker and CEO for over 30 years before passing leadership to current CEO Remi Cohen. The winemaking is overseen by Zak Miller, who continues the estate’s commitment to traditional Champagne methods.

Founded to bring Taittinger’s expertise to California, Domaine Carneros was designed to specialize in sparkling wines crafted from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Inspired by Taittinger’s Château de la Marquetterie, the grand château-style winery was built to serve as both a production facility and a hospitality center. Over the years, the estate has expanded its Pinot Noir program while maintaining its position as a benchmark for American sparkling wine.

Domaine Carneros is situated in the cool-climate Carneros AVA, which spans both Napa and Sonoma counties. Its location near San Pablo Bay provides the necessary maritime influence for growing high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, essential for sparkling wine production. The estate itself is just off Highway 12, offering panoramic vineyard views from its hilltop château.

The estate spans over 400 acres, with vineyards dedicated to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. All grapes used in its wines are estate-grown, a distinguishing factor in the California sparkling wine industry. Domaine Carneros is a leader in sustainability, implementing solar power, water conservation, and organic farming practices across its vineyards.

Domaine Carneros follows the méthode traditionnelle, mirroring the techniques used in Champagne. This includes hand-harvesting, whole-cluster pressing, and extended aging on lees to develop complexity. For its sparkling wines, the estate produces both Brut and prestige cuvées, with a focus on structure and elegance. The still Pinot Noirs are crafted with a Burgundian approach, using French oak for refinement.

Domaine Carneros is best known for its Brut Vintage Cuvée, a classic blend of estate-grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and the Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs, a 100% Chardonnay prestige cuvée aged extensively on lees. The Ultra Brut is a drier expression, while the Rosé Brut offers a delicate, fruit-forward profile. The still Pinot Noirs, particularly the Estate Pinot Noir, highlight Carneros’ terroir with balanced acidity and structure.

The château provides one of Napa’s most refined tasting experiences, with table-side service on a terrace overlooking the vineyards. Various tasting flights showcase sparkling and still wines, with optional food pairings. The Sparkling Wine Sampler and Le Rêve Tasting are highlights, and the estate also offers a private Bubbles & Bites pairing experience. Reservations are recommended.