Gloria Ferrer -  Sonoma, California

Region

Cool-Climate Character

Winegrowing in California’s Sonoma Carneros Region

From cowboy country to world-class cuvées, northern California’s Sonoma Carneros region has witnessed dramatic change in the last 20 years. When the Ferrer family first visited the windswept region, located 40 miles northwest of San Francisco, Carneros was predominantly home to cattle and sheep ranches. Drawn by the Mediterranean-style climate and gently sloping terrain, the Ferrers purchased 140 acres and set out to cultivate the area’s first Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for sparkling wine.

“Carneros is reminiscent of Catalonia, Spain,” says Juan Furné, winery president. “Both are blessed by maritime influences due to their proximity to large bodies of water. In the case of Carneros, the influence comes from the Pacific Ocean and the San Pablo Bay.” At night, the region is blanketed by fog that gently shields grapevines from early morning sun. Carneros also benefits from summer afternoon breezes that keep leaves and fruit dry.

The first wine region to receive an American Viticultural Area (AVA) designation based on climate rather than political boundaries, Carneros is distinguished by warm days, cool nights, summer fog and a long growing season that coaxes grapes to maturity slowly and consistently with a desirable balance of sugar and acidity. Carneros was established as an AVA in 1983, one year after the Ferrer family purchased the Gloria Ferrer estate.