Ferrari-Carano

Since 1985, Ferrari-Carano has been a leading producer of world-class, nationally-acclaimed wines. Vintage after vintage, the wines exhibit a remarkable consistency of style and elegance. Don and Rhonda Carano’s uncompromising commitment to quality and excellence is a reflection of their desire to produce memorable wines that enhance the pleasures of gracious entertaining.

Alexander Valley

Home to our Mountain Winery, Alexander Valley is one of the largest appellations in Sonoma County, with a diversity of soil and climate unequaled in any other region.

More than half of Ferrari-Carano`s mountain, bench land and valley floor vineyards are located here. Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot grapes are planted on the valley floor and bench lands, while Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc are planted in the mountains.

Fog drifts in over the tops of the coastal mountain range, burning off quickly in the morning sunshine, resulting in a warm climate with almost full sun throughout the day - ideal conditions for the vineyards. Each vineyard`s "terroir" contributes its own complexity of flavors and tannins in the grapes.

Russian RIver Valley

One of the most prestigious appellations in Sonoma County, this valley is known for marine fog at night that cools ripening fruit, while gravelly soils provide perfect drainage for the vines.

In the Russian River Valley, deep forests of redwood, oak, bay and pine cling to the curves of the Russian River, while broad, open grasslands cover much of the valleyfloor that sweeps back from the river banks. Situated only 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean, Russian River Valley is one of the coolest grape growing regions in Sonoma County, ideal for Ferrari..Caranos Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Summer fog frequently rolls in from the ocean into the valley by mid..afternoon, and lingers until well after sunrise the following morning. 

Many different soil types are found in Russian River Valley, like Goldridge soils, the most sought after soil in Sonoma County, as well as deep, alluvial deposits of sand and gravel left over thousands of years by the flooding winter river. This unique combination of soils and climate are the building blocks for creating some of Ferrari..Caranos finest, single vineyard Chardonnays.

Dry Creek Valley

Blessed with rich soils and a warm climate, Dry Creek Valley, known for Zinfandel, supports a diversity of our varietals at equally high levels of quality. This beautiful valley, home to Ferrari-Carano`s Estate winery, is only 16 miles long and two miles wide, but it boasts more than 6,000 acres of vines.

The climate reflects both coastal and inland influences. Like Alexander Valley to the east, Dry Creek Valley enjoys warm temperatures during July, August and September, the crucial ripening months of the growing season. And, like the Russian River Valley to the west, Dry Creek Valley experiences frequent later afternoon and evening cooling from coastal fog during the summer and early autumn. These two climatic influences combine to create overall moderate conditions under which the vines and fruit thrive best.

Napa Carneros

A very cool climate punctuated by afternoon sea breezes sweep through the vineyards during peak growing season - ideal conditions for our Chardonnay grapes.

The Carneros appellation straddles two counties, Napa and Sonoma, at their southernmost edges along the San Pablo Bay. Fog is a frequent and lingering phenomenon here. The long, cool growing season matures the fruit slowly, giving it plenty of time to gain in richness and depth while retaining a higher acidity and tighter structure than fruit in a warmer climate. Ferrari-Caranos Reserve Chardonnay grapes are grown in the vineyards of Carneros.

Mendocino Ridge / Anderson Valley

Located just off the coastal region of Mendocino County and only 15 miles long, Anderson Valley and adjacent Mendocino Ridge is only two hours north of San Francisco, but a world away. Sparsely populated and anchored by the town of Boonville (population 700), Anderson Valley was created by the Navarro River watershed and is surrounded by steep, forested slopes as well as rolling hills dotted with picturesque vineyards, farms and orchards.

It is here that Ferrari-Carano purchased a unique, vineyard property planted to Pinot Noir grapes - Sky High Ranch - on Mendocino Ridge high above Anderson Valley. The vineyard, surrounded by towering redwoods and lush forest, sits high above the fog line at over 1,500-foot elevation on the cool, steep slopes of Mendocino Ridge.

Two of our Pinot Noir wines come from this area - Sky High Ranch Pinot Noir from Mendocino Ridge and the Ferrari-Carano Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley. Anderson Valley is known as an up-and-coming appellation ideal for growing Pinot Noir grapes, where warm sunny days and cool, foggy mornings and nights create the ideal microclimate for this varietal.

Located in Dry Creek Valley and home to Ferrari-Carano's Villa Fiore Wine Shop & Tasting Room, the Estate Winery was built in 1981 and focuses on producing Ferrari-Carano's stellar white wines. At Ferrari-Carano, we harvest our grapes at night, when temperatures are the coolest, giving us crisp and intense fruit flavors. From the moment the grapes enter the winery, our objective is to interpret the individual characteristics of each vineyard block, based on the growing techniques, soil, clonal differences and flavor – a term for which in France is "Vigneron," or “Winemaker,” in English. At our Estate Winery, we have a multitude of tools to support this goal:

• A whole cluster fruit press is utilized to gently provide intense flavorful berry extraction.

• Stainless steel juice-settling tanks allow grape solids to settle naturally without the roughness of centrifuge, which can remove flavorful grape solids.

• Five barrel cellars, including a magnificent French underground cellar, for the fermentation and aging of our Chardonnays are the ideal environment for our wines to develop into lush, rich wines with complex nuances.

• Research and development is ongoing at Ferrari-Carano. A separate experimental cellar and two labs enable our winemaking team to apply new procedures for creating superior wines.

All Ferrari-Carano wines are vinified and kept in separate lots until blending, a philosophy that began with Don and Rhonda’s first bottle of wine and continues to this day. Our Fumé Blanc is crafted from seven of our estate vineyards in Dry Creek, Alexander and Russian River Valleys. Our Sonoma County Chardonnay is created from various estate vineyards and is a blend of numerous clones and selections. Our Reserve Chardonnay is primarily from our Napa Carneros ranch, and is complemented with fractions of our best lots from our Alexander Valley vineyards. The Russian River Valley Chardonnays are all single vineyard designates from premier locations in this appellation.

The Gardens

Acres of gorgeous gardens await you. Meandering paths and foot bridges, a lazy, rippling stream, fish ponds and dazzling displays of color year round.

Ferrari-Carano’s spectacular five acres of gardens surrounding the winery are just as well-known as its wines. What began in 1987 as a labor of love for gardener extraordinaire Rhonda Carano, took 16 months just to plan and complete the initial planting. Today, garden aficionados and wine lovers alike enjoy the beautiful gardens and dazzling displays of color that Rhonda and head gardener Pat Patin have created.

The gardens surrounding Villa Fiore, Ferrari-Carano’s Hospitality Wine Center, are Italian/French parterre in style with classic, geometric shapes that form the architectural backbone of this garden. The Enclosed Garden at the front of the Estate Winery has a more park-like setting; relaxed in design with an emphasis on color and texture, and featuring a mixture of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals.