Meet the Carneros AVA: Where Cool Climate Meets World-Class Wine

Featuring Hyde Vineyards, Saintsbury Winery, Boon Fly Café, and Vines of Napa.

Morning Fog over the Vineyard

Straddling the southern edge of Napa Valley, the Carneros AVA is where cool Pacific breezes and morning fog create the perfect environment for two varietals that thrive in finesse: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With its long, gentle growing season and naturally moderated temperatures, Carneros produces wines with bright acidity, freshness, and nuance, ideal for growing the best Pinot Noir in Napa, or elegant, terroir-driven Chardonnay.

Hyde Vineyards: A Carneros AVA Legacy

Hyde Vineyards stands as one of California’s most influential and respected vineyard sites, celebrated for producing some of the most sought-after Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the state.

Hyde Vineyards Tasting Room

Its wines are defined by precision, purity, and a signature cool-climate profile -- think vibrant red berry, subtle savory spice, and impeccable balance.

A deep commitment to quality and thoughtful innovation has earned Hyde its place among Napa Valley’s most esteemed vineyards. Tastings, available by appointment, offer an intimate opportunity to explore the character and craftsmanship behind these remarkable wines.

Saintsbury Winery: Pioneer of Pinot Noir

Garden Tasting at Saintsbury Winery

Just a quick three-minute drive from Hyde, Saintsbury Winery has been a defining voice in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay since the early 1980s. Their wines are bright, elegant, and beautifully layered, an authentic expression of various California AVAs cool-climate strengths. Tastings here feel relaxed, intimate, and garden-focused, making it one of the most charming experiences in the region.

Saintsbury’s reputation rests on its refined, single-vineyard wines that highlight the terroir of Carneros. Sourcing from renowned sites like Sangiacomo Green Acres and Pratt Vineyard, they craft wines with vibrant acidity, rich texture, and remarkable purity.

A minimalist winemaking approach allows each vineyard’s character to take center stage, resulting in Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that are consistently praised for their precision and grace.

Vines of Napa: Carneros AVA Day Trip

10:30 AM: Hyde Vineyards - Begin your day with a vineyard-driven tasting and learn why Hyde fruit is so revered.

Tasting: $75 per person. Bring along your Vine Pass for an upgraded library tasting complimentary ($50 value), plus shipping is included with a 6+ bottle purchase (up to $75 value).

Boon Fly Donuts

12:30 PM: Boon Fly Café - Enjoy lunch at a modern farmhouse known for their Boon Fly Chicken and Waffle, it’s famous for a reason and don’t skip their Boon Fly Donuts for dessert. They’re iconic and the perfect sweet ending to a Carneros morning.

Cost: Lunch is approximately $75 per couple.

2:30 PM: Saintsbury Winery - Take the short drive across Sonoma Highway to Saintsbury for a relaxed, outdoor garden tasting.

Tasting: $65 per person. Present your Vine Pass to receive 15% off a 6+ bottle purchase ($50- $75 value).

Elevate Your Carneros Wine Day With a Napa Vine Pass

So why not make a day of it? Explore two standout Carneros AVA wineries and experience some of the best Pinot Noir in Napa. Adding the Napa Vine Pass is an effortless upgrade that elevates your trip, letting you taste more, explore more, and enjoy even more of what makes Napa unforgettable. On this itinerary alone, the Vine Pass saves you nearly $175.

Plus, the pass unlocks savings at dozens of other Napa Valley wineries, offering great flexibility and value, and it’s valid through the end of 2026. Cheers.

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