Carneros is an example of an AVA that has a more uniform terroir than most. Whereas borders of some AVAs have been extended beyond their natural climactic boundaries because of politics and influence, Carneros resisted this all too common tendency.

History

During Spanish era of California, region was a natural place for settlement in North Bay due to its proximity to San Francisco, and accessibility by water routes. When General Vallejo secularized Spanish Missions in 1834, he divided region amongst several of his cronies. The area was initially developed to produce subsistence crops and livestock.

The first vineyards were planted in 1830s, and Carneros Wineries flourished for many decades until phylloxera devastated region's grapes along with most vineyards throughout California.

Prohibition appeared to be last nail in coffin for Carneros Wineries. After this unfortunate law's repeal, Andre Tchelistcheff and Louis M. Martini took an interest in region's unique climate. Investment in Carneros Wineries was slow until 1970s when it began to surge with rest of Napa Valley.

Terroir

As new residents, we had to make Sedona pilgrimage. Sedona is considered by many to be center of New Age movement. Allegedly, it contains several natural energy vortexes. So we had to visit just for novelty of it. The first visit we spent entire time visiting main town shops. Even by end of day we hadn't exhausted possibilities. On our second visit to Sedona, we went directly to Tlaquepaque ,a wonderful Spanish hacienda containing some of best art in region. Despite half a dozen visits to Sedona since then, we still haven't sampled New Age offerings. Each visit we have seen something new.