Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs Rosé

Region and Vineyards

The grapes for Gloria Ferrer’s Blanc de Noirs come from Carneros, an appellation straddling the southern tip of Sonoma and Napa counties, defined by its proximity to the San Pablo Bay. The cool, maritime-influenced climate is particularly suited to the early-ripening Pinot Noir grape, which flourishes under the alternating foggy mornings and sunlit afternoons. These conditions help preserve acidity and intensify aromatics—key for méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines.

On the estate’s Carneros property, over 21 different clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are cultivated. This clonal diversity adds both aromatic complexity and structural refinement. The combination of low-yielding vineyards, meticulous canopy management, and precision viticulture ensures vibrant fruit character and consistent quality across vintages.

Winemaking

This cuvée is composed of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, all hand-harvested and gently whole-cluster pressed to preserve freshness and nuance. After a cool stainless steel fermentation (13–16°C), the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and is aged three years on the lees, developing autolytic richness and creamy texture.

With a dosage of 12.6 g/L, and a total acidity of 7.0 g/L (pH: 3.16), the Blanc de Noirs finds an elegant balance between fruit intensity and freshness. The 12.5% ABV offers a seamless and approachable structure that remains vibrant and food-friendly.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Light salmon-pink with brilliant clarity and persistent, lively bubbles.
• Aroma: Bright notes of wild strawberry and black cherry, laced with vanilla and subtle spice.
• Palate: Lush and creamy with flavors of ripe cherry, lemon zest, and cola. A textured mouthfeel leads into a long, clean finish with hints of citrus and toasted spice.

Did you know?

Gloria Ferrer’s Blanc de Noirs was one of the first méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines made from Pinot Noir in Carneros. Its name—“white from blacks”—refers to the white sparkling wine made from predominantly red grapes, showcasing the potential of Pinot Noir as a base for elegant sparkling expressions outside of Champagne.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Roasted pork with plum sauce: The wine’s sweet cherry notes harmonize beautifully with fruit-forward glazes.
• Thai cuisine with chili and lemongrass: Its fruity profile balances spice while refreshing the palate.
• Foie gras with persimmons and hazelnuts: A rich and decadent pairing elevated by the wine’s effervescence and acidity.
• Triple-aged Gouda or hard aged cheeses: The creamy texture and nutty undertones in both wine and cheese create a savory synergy.

History of Gloria Ferrer

Gloria Ferrer was founded in 1986 by the Ferrer family of Spain, renowned for their production of Freixenet Cava. Driven by a vision to establish a world-class sparkling wine house in California, José Ferrer selected the Carneros region for its cool-climate potential and proximity to the San Pablo Bay—ideal conditions for cultivating Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Named after José’s wife, Gloria Ferrer, the estate was the first sparkling wine house in Carneros, and its establishment marked a turning point for California’s sparkling wine industry. Drawing on their long-standing expertise in Cava production, the Ferrers introduced the traditional method (méthode traditionnelle) to Sonoma, but with a focus on estate-grown fruit and a clear expression of local terroir.

From the beginning, the Ferrer family emphasized sustainable viticulture, precision farming, and clonal diversity, especially in Pinot Noir. With over 335 hectares (830 acres) planted and more than 21 Pinot Noir clones, the estate set a new standard for sparkling wine complexity and consistency in the New World.

Region and Vineyards

Located in the Carneros AVA, at the southern edge of Sonoma County, the estate enjoys a cool, maritime-influenced climate shaped by the San Pablo Bay. This fog-laden environment is essential for maintaining high acidity, slow grape maturation, and aromatic finesse—key traits for quality sparkling wine.

Gloria Ferrer’s vineyards span gently sloped hillsides with clay-loam and gravel soils, ensuring excellent drainage and moderate vigor. The diversity of microclimates and clones across the estate allows the winemaking team to craft nuanced, site-expressive blends. The estate’s approach balances tradition and innovation, with a particular emphasis on hand-harvesting, whole-cluster pressing, and precision in dosage and aging.

Wine Range of Gloria Ferrer

Gloria Ferrer produces a diverse portfolio of méthode traditionnelle sparkling wines, as well as select still wines:

• Sonoma Brut: The flagship cuvée, led by Pinot Noir, showing creamy texture and citrus-driven freshness.
• Blanc de Noirs: A bold, fruit-driven style made primarily from Pinot Noir, with notes of red berries and spice.
• Blanc de Blancs: A pure Chardonnay expression marked by finesse, lemon zest, and mineral tension.
• Royal Cuvée: A vintage-dated prestige cuvée, aged extensively on lees, offering complexity and depth.
• Rosé: A delicately colored sparkling rosé showcasing wild strawberry, rose petal, and citrus lift.
• Still Wines: Including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, highlighting single-block expressions of the estate.

Did you know?

Gloria Ferrer was the first producer to plant Champagne clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Carneros, setting the foundation for the region’s modern sparkling wine success. Its commitment to estate-grown fruit and traditional methods remains a defining hallmark of its identity.