Carneros is an AVA in the southern part of Napa where Sonoma and Napa meet.  The area is known for Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays as it is a much cooler climate than most of the Napa Valley.  I drive through this area almost every weekend on my way to Napa but have rarely stopped to check things out.  With thirteen wineries participating in Holiday in Carneros I thought it would be a good day to get on track with my 52 weeks and try some places I’ve never even heard of before!

On my way in to the valley I stopped to register at Keating and pick up my wrist band and map.  While there I had to do a quick taste of their Malbec.

No time to linger as next on to meet my friend Kathy and our first stop at Larson Family Winery.  Lovely grounds with a gorgeous picnic area in the vineyard.  I especially liked their Three Lab Cab which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Sirah named after the family dogs.

While not in the order of our travels we also checked out Ceja‘s new tasting room and their 2009 Pinot Noir and Homewood which had a very nice Viogner and Albarino.

One of my favorite stops of the day was Schug which is located up the laneway near the Carneros Deli where I have stopped for years coming and going from Sonoma and Napa.

Schug did a beautiful job with their Holiday in Carneros event that included olive oil tasting,  soup and artichoke dip from Kristine Schug and an extensive tasting of their wines.  They tasted their 2013 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir which is aged in 20% neutral oak and their 2012 Carneros Pinot Noir aged in 30% new oak.  Their Carneros Pinot Noir is their “flagship” and quite nice at $30 a bottle.

The best find of the day was Peter Cellars.  Couldn’t resist when we saw the name on the map.  Had never heard of them but they just received a 90 on their 2010 Syrah!  We were greeted by Peter himself when we pulled up to the cute tasting room in a small barn behind their house in the vineyards.  All of their wines were lovely but I did walk away with a few bottles of the Syrah and really enjoyed their Pinot Noir and Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon.

So on a Sunday afternoon we were able to explore six new wineries which now brings me to Week #47 and 50 wineries!  Only two wineries to make my New Year’s resolution of 52 in 52!  Cheers!