Carneros We Love Ewe

In 1979, when Carneros attempted to become an American Viticultural Appellation, there were only two wineries (Acacia and Carneros Creek) and less than 1,000 acres of vines. It was Anthony Bell, an assistant winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyard, and Anne Moller-Racke, the viticulturist from Buena Vista, who helped submit the application that defined the Carneros region. The boundaries of the proposed 37,000-acre appellation were unique in that they encompassed the southern ends of both Sonoma and Napa Counties. Approval came in 1983, making Carneros the first established AVA based on climate rather than political boundaries. Carneros is classified as a Region I heat-summation climate, viticultural conditions ideally suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In 1985, the growers and wineries of Carneros founded the Carneros Quality Alliance to promote the region. The Alliance began 2006 with a new name, The Carneros Wine Alliance (www.carneros.com), with the goal of enhancing the well-deserved branding and image of the Carneros appellation.

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