Spring Barrel Tasting With The Carneros Wine Alliance

Earlier this Spring I had the pleasure of visiting Carneros, a Wine region located in both Napa Valley and Sonoma. Fun fact, Carneros is the only Wine region in that is both in Napa AND Sonoma Valley’s A.V.A.’S (American Viticultural Area). The occasion was their Annual Spring Barrel Tasting with members of the Carneros Wine Alliance region.  My kind of morning out of the office wine tasting and meeting fabulous vintners. The event was hosted at Starmont Winery.

Picturesque views of Starmont Winery. I have been here before and love this chic modern setting including beautiful outdoor gardens and lounge areas for guests to taste in and relax outside in.

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

Guests enjoying the wine tasting

Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Poseidon Vineyard, Arpad Molnarm and Winemaker of Schug Carneros Estate, mingling and enjoying the event

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

I always enjoy tasting Cuvaison Wines, these Pinot Noir wines were lovely.

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

This was my first time tasting the ZD Wines and I also met one of the family members, Associate Winemaker, Brandon deLeuze, third generation which was great. I learned the history of this Carneros Wine and about all the various wines they make.

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

Enjoying some barrel samples from ZD Wines.

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

It was fun meeting the team behind Viansa Reserve Wines as I have not had these wines before and am heading there this summer so was excited to try their yummy wines.

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

I always love seeing the Hyde Vineyard men. Larry and his son Chris are the best and their wines are some of the most amazing in Napa.  I literally get beyond excited when I see them at events and get to enjoy their lovely wines. They also source grapes for various other wineries so if I see Hyde Vineyards I know the wines will be amazing. Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

It’s always great to see Winemaker Michael of Schug Winery. I had a chance to visit Schug Carneros Estaste tasting through barrel samples with Michael earlier this spring and we had a blast. Not only does he make incredible wines he is super nice, personable and really great to hang out and wine taste with.

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

The delicious food provided by Feast Catering. A lot of delicious, heavy food at a wine tasting like this is essential to keep the belly full and allow for lots of great wine tasting.

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

This cheese cracker with figs was incredible. I had a few too many for sure!

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

The team behind Truchard Winery. This is another amazing winery I have visited with very historic Carneros roots so it was such a treat meeting Owners Tony and Jo Anne Truchard.

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

Hyde Vineyards sells grapes to various other wineries so the moment I saw that this Domaine Carneros was Hyde Vineyard fruit I knew I would adore the wine.

The lovely wines from Liana Estates. This was also the first time I tasted these wines and they were lovely. The sisters  Lisa and Ariana Peju who own this company were lovely and so great to chat with and learn more about the Liana Estate history.

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I really loved experiencing Donum Wines and meeting their winemaker Dan Fishman at this event.

This was another wine that I had never tasted before and really loved at this barrel tasting.

Carneros Wine Alliance Barrel Tasting

Cheers to the Carneros Wine Alliance and all the participating wineries that attended this great Spring Barrel Tasting. It was great to see some familiar faces, meet new people and of course enjoy all of the delicious wines.

Select event photo’s by Ashley Teplin, Carneros Wine Alliance

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