Arriving to Artesta Winery on a foggy morning in Carneros for an incredible Carneros Pinot Noir hosted at Artesta Winery.

A true good morning welcome at 9:00am starting with some Artesa Grand Reserve Brut Wine. 

The set up of the room where we had a panel of 5 winemakers and approximately 65-75 guests. This event had an amazing turnout and the set up of the room was amazing. Great light with a back drop of the rolling hills of Carneros. What a perfect setting to learn about the Carneros Pinot Noir wines from the winemakers themselves!

Moderator Kelli White welcoming guests and introducing our panel including winemakers from our hosts Artesa Winery, Donum Estate, which I adore, read about Donum Winery here, Etude Winery, another fabulous Carneros Winery, read more about Etude Winery here,  Hyde de Villaine (HdV) Wines and Renteria Winery.

My front row seat (as usual). Best views and then I pay the most attention and really get to see what the winemakers are saying and tasting.

Me and Adam Snyder, a Restaurant Owner from San Francisco who I rode to the event with. It’s always fun at tastings like this seeing old friends and meeting new friends!

The line up of Pinot Noir from the first flight. My favorites were the Donum Estate, HdV, and Etude. They were all extremely balanced, full body and really showcased the vineyards the grapes were sourced from as well as the winemaking techniques and intentions each winemaker explained they were aiming for.

We enjoyed this HdV Chardonnay after the tasting, what a perfect palette cleanser.  I know the Hyde family well, having visited their vineyards with Larry and his son Chris quite a few times. More to come on the incredible Hyde Vineyards and new tasting room on the blog soon!

Cheers to an incredible morning in Carneros and some Chardonnay as a palette cleanser after two verticals of Pinot Noir.

Our fabulous driver Ray of Destiny Wine Tours. He’s a retired fire fighter and has his own driving company in Wine Country and was fabulous.

Thanks to Artesa Winery for hosting this incredible morning and all of the other winemakers who shared their time, passion and knowledge with us guests at this incredible Carneros tasting session.