From Bubbles to Reds: The Art of Harvesting Pinot Noir at Domaine Carneros

For all of our sparkling – from our Brut Rosé to our Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs – the focus is on preserving the grape’s natural acidity and freshness while achieving the distinct expression of our Carneros terroir. Grapes for sparkling wine are harvested earlier in the season, when their Brix (sugar level) is around 18-21°Bx. This early harvest ensures the crisp, lively character that our sparkling wines are known for, delivering flavors of citrus, green apple, and stone fruit. We began picking the fruit for our sparkling wines in the pre-dawn hours of August 14th and finished harvesting on September 1st.

Sparkling Winemaker, Zak Miller, shared this quote at the start of harvest: "I love this time of year! When the new vintage starts to take shape and express itself in its own unique way. To quote author Ralph Ransom, ‘Before the reward there must be labor.’ Just as we are enjoying the product of past harvests, we must put in the work now to have the same enjoyment in the future.”"

In contrast, the grapes destined for our still Pinot Noir, like our “Famous Gate” and Estate Pinot Noir, are left on the vine longer to develop richer flavors and the perfect balance of maturity and acidity. We wait to harvest this fruit at around 22-25°Bx, when optimal ripeness is achieved and the fruit possesses the deeper notes of cherry, raspberry, earth, and subtle spice. We began harvesting the fruit for our still Pinot Noir on August 28 – the grapes for our Pinot Clair. Block by block, we picked the remaining fruit across all six of our estate vineyards as it reached ideal ripeness, finishing up on September 18 with the Le Ciel Serein vineyard.

Still Winemaker, TJ Evans, shared this quote at the end of harvest season: "2024 is shaping up to be a classic vintage for Pinot Noir. We are fortunate and thankful to have brought in another harvest with stellar potential."

Both styles of wine are a beautiful reflection of the spectacular Carneros region and our estate vineyards. The cool breezes and foggy mornings create the perfect environment for Pinot Noir to thrive. Whether you’re enjoying the crisp bubbles of our sparkling wine or the rich layers of our still Pinot Noir, each glass tells the story of the land and the dedication of the people behind it.