Domaine Chandon in Napa Valley

Domaine Chandon in Napa Valley brings French tradition to the New World. The story began in 1743, in Champagne France, where Claude Moet founded Moet & Chandon. Fast-forward 200 years, and Moet-Hennessy bought land in Northern California, seeking to expand into the United States. Chandon in Napa Valley was designed, and vineyards were planted. The first sparkling wine produced from these vineyards was released in 1976. The next year, the visitor’s center welcomed guests, marking the first French-owned sparkling wine project in the United States.

The Chandon winery Napa focuses mainly on sparkling wines that capture the vibrant nature of California fruit. Some still wines are produced as well, and the winery's exclusive, limited-edition wines are greatly popular among wine-lovers. A lot of experimentation was done in the beginning of the vineyard, as varietals were tested in the California climate. Ultimately, Chandon in Napa Valley discovered that Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier proved most successful; these three varietals are the three traditional grapes used to make French champagne.

Domaine Chandon consists of 1,000 acres of vineyards spread throughout Yountville, Carneros, and Mount Veeder. Environmentally conscious practices and sustainable farming are of great important to the Chandon winery Napa, which seeks to preserve the beauty of the landscape for future generations. The three areas of vineyards each lend their own distinct quality to the wines. Yountville has a slightly warmer climate, and thus it produces even more ripe Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. On the other hand, Carneros is known as a cool and breezy district, which is important for sparkling wines. Mount Veeder has great drainage, another important element for Chardonnay.

The winemaking at Chandon in Napa Valley combines practices that are centuries old with the best of modern technology and equipment. The regional character of the wine is showcased while tradition is maintained during the winemaking process. Some members of the winemaking team have been with Domaine Chandon for more than twenty years, and they have helped to continually tweak the process over time. This winery takes joy in sharing its produce with visitors, and the estate was designed with the pleasure of guests in mind. From the tasting salon to the terrace, the art exhibits to the lush grounds, guests will be continually entertained.

If you'd like to visit the Domaine Chandon tasting room during your days in Napa Valley, no appointments are necessary to sample the winery's delicious and memorable productions. There are three options for tastings, including varietal tasting, classic tasting, and prestige cuvée. Regardless of your own preferences or experience with wine, you're sure to find the options at Chandon to be educational and memorable.

A guided tour of the winemaking facilities is an essential element to visiting Chandon Winery Napa. Domaine Chandon is also the only winery in Napa with an award-winning restaurant on-site. Inventive cuisine is paired with local wines at étoile, the fine-dining restaurant of the winery. Accolades vary from a Michelin recommendation to a stellar review in Wine Enthusiast magazine. Forbes Traveler has named it one of the top ten romantic restaurants in the country. Private dining is available for groups of twelve or fewer. Splurge on the chef's tasting menu and allow the wine pairings to enliven the cuisine even further.