About the Carneros Wine Region

With the wind and fog influence from the Pacific Ocean via the Petaluma Gap, and cool air from the Bay, the Carneros region enjoys a climate ideal for Burgundian varieties. The name Los Carneros means 'the rams' in Spanish, which is a reference to one of the dominant facets of the region from 1830 under Mexican rule to the 1970s when it began to transition to vineyards.

The Etude estate vineyards at Grace Benoist Ranch and Etude's tasting room are located in the Carneros wine region. The vineyard parcels on Grace Benoist Ranch are customized to conform to the various soil types and the changing contours of the topography.

More on Carneros

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

The grape varieties that truly thrive in this climate are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Because Carneros was also one of the earliest wine regions in the area to transition to grape-growing, you can also find early-Californian Wente, Swan, and Martini clones.

There are seven key clones we grow at Etude's Grace Benoist Ranch, each one has a personality that is influenced by the Carneros climate and vineyard soils.

More on Clones

Carneros Topography

From the wetlands on the southern border to the hills that divide it from the Petaluma Gap AVA, the Carneros wine region enjoys less rain than its neighboring regions and consists of mainly shallow clay soils. Half of Carneros lies in Sonoma County, while the other half lies in Napa County.

Buy Carneros Pinot Noir