Domaine Carneros Rosé Cuvée de la Pompadour

Region and Vineyards

Domaine Carneros is situated in the cool-climate Carneros AVA, straddling the southern ends of Napa and Sonoma. This unique zone is moderated by the fog and breezes of San Pablo Bay, offering ideal conditions for cultivating Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with natural acidity and vibrant aromatics—fundamental for sparkling wine production.

The grapes for Cuvée de la Pompadour are hand-selected from estate-grown vineyards, with a particular emphasis on capturing the fruit purity and finesse of the Pinot Noir. While Chardonnay adds backbone and freshness, it’s the expressive, aromatic Pinot that lends this wine its distinct rosé charm.

Winemaking

Made in the méthode traditionnelle, this non-vintage cuvée is a blend of 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay. To achieve its vibrant salmon-pink hue and layered complexity, a portion of the Pinot Noir undergoes several days of skin contact, extracting color, texture, and wild berry character.

The wine is then bottle-fermented and aged on its lees, gaining refinement and structure. Despite its rosé profile, the wine is finished in a Brut style (9.34 g/L residual sugar) and offers bracing acidity (TA 9 g/L) and a crisp, refreshing structure, all balanced at a moderate 12% alcohol.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Elegant salmon pink with fine, persistent bubbles.
• Aroma: Aromatically expressive with wild strawberry, ripe peach, pomegranate, apricot, honeysuckle, and a touch of exotic spice.
• Palate: A dry and crisp palate with red fruit freshness and creamy texture, delivering complexity and finesse with a lingering, vibrant finish.

Did you know?

This wine pays tribute to Madame de Pompadour, the influential French courtier who introduced sparkling Champagne to the French court and famously declared, “Champagne is the only wine that leaves a woman beautiful after drinking.”

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Seared duck breast with cherry reduction: The wine’s acidity and fruit complement the richness of duck.
• Grilled salmon with citrus glaze: Enhances the wine’s stone fruit and pomegranate notes.
• Strawberry shortcake or fresh berry tart: A perfect interplay of red fruit flavors and lively mousse.
• Spicy tuna tartare: The bubbles and freshness balance heat and umami.

History of Domaine Carneros

Founded in 1987 by Claude Taittinger, then president of Champagne Taittinger, Domaine Carneros was established with a clear and ambitious vision: to create a benchmark American sparkling wine estate, rooted in the traditional Champagne method and powered by the unique terroir of Carneros.

The site chosen for the estate lies in the southern part of Napa Valley, where the cool maritime climate is ideally suited to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A French-style château, modeled after Taittinger's own Château de la Marquetterie in Champagne, was built atop the hills overlooking the vineyards, symbolizing the deep connection between Old World tradition and New World innovation.

From the outset, the estate committed to sustainable viticulture and estate-only production, ensuring full control over quality from vine to bottle. Over the decades, Domaine Carneros has become a reference point in the U.S. for Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines and refined, cool-climate Pinot Noir.

Winemaking is led by Zak Miller (CEO and sparkling winemaker) and TJ Evans (still wines), both of whom combine Burgundian finesse with Californian expressiveness. Their philosophy balances precision, aging potential, and terroir expression—particularly in the flagship wines Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs and the Estate Pinot Noir.

Region and Vineyards

Domaine Carneros is located in the heart of the Carneros AVA, straddling Napa and Sonoma counties. This region is defined by its cool, fog-laced mornings and breezy afternoons, moderated by nearby San Pablo Bay. These conditions slow grape maturation, promoting high natural acidity, subtle aromatics, and a long growing season—ideal for producing sparkling wines of finesse and Pinot Noir of texture and purity.

The estate comprises six distinct vineyard sites, all certified sustainable, planted predominantly to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Particular attention is given to clonal diversity, especially in Pinot Noir, with over twenty clones planted to optimize complexity and site expression.

Each plot is farmed with precision, allowing the winemaking team to craft blends that reflect both the personality of the vintage and the signature of the estate. This commitment to estate-grown fruit sets Domaine Carneros apart in the American sparkling wine landscape.

Wine Range of Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros produces a focused portfolio centered around sparkling and Pinot Noir wines:

• Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs: The prestige cuvée, made from 100% Chardonnay, aged six years sur lie, and considered one of the finest American sparkling wines.
• Estate Brut Cuvée: The flagship sparkling wine, made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with classic method aging and bright, balanced fruit.
• Brut Rosé – Cuvée de la Pompadour: A vibrant, dry rosé with expressive red fruit and elegance.
• Ultra Brut: An Extra Brut style for lovers of crisp, low-dosage sparkling wine.
• Estate Pinot Noir: A structured, silky red wine showcasing the full clonal diversity of the estate’s vineyards.
• Avant-Garde Pinot Noir: A fruit-forward, early-drinking Pinot Noir highlighting the vintage’s aromatic charm.

Did you know?

The estate’s name, Le Rêve, meaning “The Dream,” was chosen to honor Claude Taittinger's dream of producing a world-class American sparkling wine. Today, Le Rêve is widely regarded as one of the top blanc de blancs outside of Champagne.