Food & Wine

AVA Wines of Sonoma County: Carneros Wine Region

Carneros AVA

Bounded by climate and topography, the Carneros wine-growing region in Northern California is uniquely unbounded by political affiliation – Sonoma County shares Carneros with Napa Valley, and many vineyards of the Sonoma Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA) are also located within this sub-appellation.

Carneros is distinctive among Sonoma County’s wine regions for its relatively uniform landscape of gently rolling, sparsely wooded hills above a wide, flat plain.

Los Carneros, ‘the rams’ in Spanish, dates from the 1830s, when Mexico administered this region. Sheep ranches, dairies, and hay fields continued to dominate until the 1970s. Today Carneros has 8,000 vineyard acres and more than 20 wineries. AVA status was given in 1983.

Top Grapes & Wine Varietals

Top billing goes to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for sparkling and still AVA wines in Carneros. Because Carneros garnered acclaim early in California’s wine renaissance, many vineyards were planted with so-called ‘California clones’ like Martini, Swan, and old Wente. Syrah is an exciting newcomer, along with Rhône regional white varietals like Roussanne and Marsanne. Merlot remains strong, and there’s some Cabernet Sauvignon to be found.

The Lay of the Land

The Cline Family Cellars estate vineyard at sunset in Carneros, Sonoma County — Cline Family Cellars in Sonoma, California

From certain vantage points, much of the entire Sonoma portion of the AVA can be seen at once. The AVA’s western border is shared with the Sonoma Valley AVA, roughly along the spine of hills that divides the Cotati Valley (and Petaluma Gap area) from the Sonoma Creek watershed.

The northern extent is marked by Napa Road on the outskirts of the city of Sonoma; the southern border is delineated partly by the North West Pacific railroad tracks, but mainly by the wetlands and reclaimed hay fields bordering San Pablo Bay.

Compared with Sonoma County’s other cool-climate AVAs, like the Sonoma Coast and Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, Carneros receives much less rainfall, and it’s farther from the Pacific Ocean.

The moderating influence of San Pablo Bay, the northern portion of the greater San Francisco Bay, keeps Carneros cool and windy, but not too cold. Despite the broad agricultural vista it presents, the area’s dense, clay soils are not particularly deep or fertile.

Notable Wineries

Gloria Ferrer

Gloria Ferrer’s Sonoma Brut is a Sonoman’s standby sparkling wine. Founded as the first sparkling winery in Carneros, Gloria Ferrer’s wines are a direct reflection of their two unique estates. Nestled at the base of the Sonoma Mountains and Wildcat Peak, the estate is protected from the strongest Carneros breezes and supplies alluvial soils that nourish their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines.

Cline Family Cellars

Cline Family Cellars is a 350-acre horse farm in Carneros with several vineyards dedicated to Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne. The family continues to plant vineyards throughout Sonoma County, to include more classic varieties like Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Chardonnay.

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards

Jacuzzi Family Vineyards boasts extensive grounds showcasing their 18,000-square-foot Tuscan-style property modeled on the Jacuzzi family’s ancestral home in Italy and features a traditional piazza in its center where guests can taste wine and picnic. The winery offers delicious Italian-style wines that include Teroldego, Barbera, Moscato, Arneis, and Pinot Grigio, to name just a few.

Ram’s Gate

Ram’s Gate is perched above the vineyards and the Bay; the winery’s portfolio showcases wines that are compelling, and uncompromising from vineyards that encompass the spirit of Sonoma County. Their wines are organically and sustainably farmed, offering an array of multi-dimensional blends that capture the essence of a diverse growing region.

Viansa Sonoma

Viansa Sonoma also sports a good view and a deli for picnics. Know for its award-winning wines, views of the Sonoma Valley, and hospitality, Viansa is the perfect place to visit for wine, food, and unique one-of-a-kind gifts and accessories. You can experience all that Viansa has to offer by tasting at their wine bar or enjoying a glass of wine with lunch on the terrace overlooking the wetlands.

Nicholson Ranch

Last chance before Napa, Nicholson Ranch anchors the southeastern corner of Carneros Sonoma. This winery is nestled in the southern foothills of Sonoma, where four of California’s best appellations meet. Nicholson Ranch enjoys a combination of soils, sloping hills, and a climate that is ideal for producing premium grapes for their handcrafted Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah.

Backroad Bodegas

A couple tastes wine on the deck overlooking Carneros AVA at Anaba Wines, Sonoma County — Anaba Wines in Sonoma

Named for a local anabatic wind, Anaba makes Pinot Noir from Las Brisas Vineyard, named for the Carneros wind. Schug Carneros Estate and Larson Family Winery are off the beaten path. The Robledo Family welcomes visitors to their courtyard winery. Roche Winery & Vineyards opened a new 17,000-square-foot winery, complementing its Sonoma Plaza tasting room, with ample outdoor seating with sweeping vineyard views. Discoveries inside the Cornerstone Sonoma Garden Center include Meadowcroft Wines and Obsidian Wine Co.

Restaurants and Lodging in the Carneros

An arch with plants growing on it at the gardens in Cornerstone Sonoma, Sonoma County — Cornerstone Sonoma in the town of Sonoma, California

Where to Stay

The Carneros region is easily explored from the historic town of Sonoma, where many of the best restaurant and lodging options can be found. Lodging can range from high-end luxury at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn, nearby in Sonoma Valley, to vintage motor-court chic at the Vineyard Inn Hotel, and cottage charming at Sonoma’s Best Guest Cottages.

Where to Eat

Along the Carneros Highway, Angelo’s Wine Country Deli (look for the red and white cow on the roof) features homemade cold cuts, sausages, and condiments like garlic salsa and garlic mustard; or relax in the half-acre outdoor space, under the shaded patio or in the tree-covered wine garden at Kivelstadt Cellars Wine Garden & Eatery. Or, Lou’s Luncheonette focuses on locally sourced seasonal ingredients, with items like buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast and a variety of chicken platters and sandwiches for lunch.

Written by Sonoma Insider James Knight.