José Ferrer championed his family’s dream of producing exceptional traditional method sparkling wine in the New World. In the 1980s, he ventured from Barcelona, Spain to Sonoma, California with his wife Gloria in search of the ultimate region to make sparkling wine. They settled upon Carneros…
The First Sparkling Winery in Carneros
For the Ferrers, whose Spanish sparkling winegrowing experience goes back generations, the potential of Los Carneros was unmistakable, even before it became an established AVA. They recognized the ideal climate for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay — and thus the perfect terroir for brilliant sparkling wines.
Warm days, cool nights, predictable winds, summer fog, and a long growing season coax grapes to maturity slowly and consistently with a desirable balance of sugar and acidity. They immediately began planting the estate, three-quarters with Pinot Noir vines and one-quarter with Chardonnay vines.
Inspired by a centuries-old understanding of the balance between earth and wine, we pursue winegrowing with a respect for each vine and for each person in our extended family. Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards implemented the Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices and became certified in 2016.
