Last November, my two oldest sons joined me in a tasting tour of Carneros.  Lance was between rotations in med school.  Brian had just recently returned from a 15 month deployment to Iraq.  That Saturday morning was cold and rainy as we kept our first appointment. 

We arrived at Cuvaison’s Carneros Tasting Room to start our day at 10 am.  It is more than just a tasting room as they have outside areas to sit and taste that put you next to their pinot noir and chardonnay vineyards.  Mike runs this tasting room.  He led us  thorough tastings of their chardonnays, pinot noirs, and syrah. 

As we left Cuvaison, we looked both ways and crossed the street.  The driveway on the other side Duhig Road leads into Domaine Carneros,

Domaine Carneros is champagne house owned by Taittinger.  Eileen Crane, the vintner, was hired by Taittinger to design and build a suitable winery.  She has been the wine maker since it opened.  My wife and I have always found this to be a great place to toast the start of our wine excursions. 

As the weather was cold and wet, the tasting room was packed and the terrace closed.  From across the room, Kenny G., one of the staff, recognized me and escorted the three of us over to the club room.  The club room was also packed, so they set up a table in the barrel room.    My sons and I sipped our wine while the entire club room looked in the picture window at us sitting by the barrels of wine.   (Glass of Le Reve, $9.  Cheese plate, $12.  Sitting in the barrel room with my two sons while all the club members envy us, priceless.  Thank you, Kenny.)

We spent the day just in the Carneros, in both Napa and Sonoma counties.  In spite of the weather, we enjoyed wineries such as Bouchaine, Ceja, and Artesa.  My sons took pictures and wrote tasting notes.  We purchased bottles of wine only available to club members or at the tasting rooms.  These small production wines are usually really interesting because they are crafted and nurtured.   

The next day was sunny and nice as we headed up the Silverado Trail.  But that is another story for another time.  For now, let me hear your experiences in Carneros.   I am always interested in a new experience.