Los Carneros AVA

"Carneros" redirects here. For the former settlement, see Carneros, California. For other uses, see Carnero.

Los Carneros
Wine region
Vineyards in the Sonoma section of Los Carneros
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1983[1]
2006 Amended[2]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, North Coast AVA, Napa County, Sonoma County, Napa Valley AVA, Sonoma Valley AVA
Total area37,000 acres (58 sq mi)[3]
Size of planted vineyards9,000 acres (3,642 ha)[3]
Varietals producedAlbarino, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot Meunier, Pinot noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Tocai Friulano, Vermentino, Vernaccia, Viognier, Zinfandel, Petit Verdot

Los Carneros (also known as Carneros) is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which includes parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties in California, U.S.A. The 37,000 acres (58 sq mi) area was recognized on September 18, 1983 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Beaulieu Vineyards proposing to establish a viticultural area named "Los Carneros.”[4][5] The proximity to the cool fog and breezes from San Pablo Bay to the south makes the climate in Los Carneros cooler and more moderate than wine regions farther north in Napa and Sonoma Valleys. The cooler climate has made Los Carneros attractive for the cultivation of cooler climate varietals like Pinot noir and Chardonnay. Many of the grapes grown in Los Carneros are used for sparkling wine production.[6] Receiving its AVA status in 1983, the Carneros area was the first wine region in California to be defined by its climate characteristics rather than political boundaries.[7]

Early morning fog over a block of Chardonnay on the Napa side of the Los Carneros AVA
  1. ^ "Establishment of Los Carneros Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. ATF-142; Re: Notices 360 and 412] Final Rule). Federal Register. 48 (161). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 37365–37368. August 18, 1983.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ "Los Carneros Viticultural Area; Technical Amendment (2006R–224P)" (27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. TTB–55] RIN 1513–AB32 Final Rule). Federal Register. 71 (220). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury: 66454–66455. November 15, 2006.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ a b Elkjer, Thom (June 9, 2005). "Carneros conundrum - Even after 20 years, Napa-Sonoma region struggles to define its identity". San Francisco Chronicle.
  4. ^ "Carneros Viticultural Area Designation" (Petition). TTB.gov. Beaulieu Vineyards. December 4, 1979.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ Wright, John (October 1, 1980). "Los Carneros AVA Exhibit Document" (Petition Attachment). TTB.gov. Beaulieu Vineyards.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ "Carneros ~ Los Carneros (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved October 30, 2007.
  7. ^ Goldfarb, Alan (September 28, 2007). "Carneros AVA -- The Sweet Spot for Pinot noir and Chardonnay". Appellation America.