覚えておきたい畑や生産者：Los Carneros

Summary

This video delves into the Carneros AVA, a renowned wine-producing region known for its cool climate ideal for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The speaker highlights notable vineyards such as Hyde Vineyards, Hudson Ranch, Rombauer, Saintsbury, and Truchard, each celebrated for their distinct contributions to the wine industry. The region's unique conditions and rich history are explored, alongside personal stories of winemakers, including their connections to France and Japan. The video offers an engaging look at Carneros' exceptional wines and the dedicated producers behind them.

Takeaways

• 😀 Los Carneros is known for being one of the coolest AVAs in the Napa Valley, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir being its famous varietals.
• 😀 Hydes Vineyards is one of the most famous vineyards in Los Carneros, producing top-quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It supplies grapes to over 35 wineries.
• 😀 Larry Hyde started Hydes Vineyards, and now his son is running it, though they still produce their own wines through two brands: Hyde Vineyards and HDV (Hyde de Villaine).
• 😀 HDV (Hyde de Villaine) was founded in collaboration with the French Aubert de Villaine, reflecting a close personal connection between the two families.
• 😀 Hudson Ranch is another well-known vineyard, especially famous for its high-quality Chardonnay. They also produce Merlot, which has been highly praised.
• 😀 The Hudson Ranch winery is run by the Hudson family, with the founder, B. Hudson, and his wife Christina, who speaks Japanese and has lived in Aichi, Japan.
• 😀 Rombauer Vineyards is renowned for its rich, oak-influenced Chardonnay, a signature style of the winery that has made it widely recognized in America.
• 😀 Saintsberry is another producer located in the Carneros region, known for its high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, helping to establish Carneros' reputation.
• 😀 Truchard Vineyards is a small family-run operation with its own vineyard, producing wines from grapes grown on-site, including unique varietals like Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon.
• 😀 The region's cool climate allows for the successful cultivation of cool-weather varietals such as Chardonnay, while warmer areas near the mountains are more suited for varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Q & A

What is the Los Carneros AVA known for?

Los Carneros AVA is known for its cool climate, which is ideal for growing cool-climate grape varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It is one of the top regions for these varieties in the Napa Valley.

What are the key characteristics of Hyde Vineyards?

Hyde Vineyards is famous for its high-quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It supplies grapes to over 35 wineries and is known for producing some of the top wines in these varieties. The vineyard was originally run by Larry Hyde and is now managed by his son.

What unique relationship does Hyde Vineyards have with France?

Hyde Vineyards has a unique connection to France through its collaboration with Aubert de Villaine from Burgundy. This partnership led to the creation of the winery HDV (Hyde de Villaine).

What makes Hudson Ranch stand out in the wine industry?

Hudson Ranch is particularly known for its exceptional Chardonnay and Merlot. The vineyard supplies grapes to around 30 wineries and is led by founder B. Hudson and his wife Christina. The family-owned vineyard has earned a strong reputation in the industry.

What connection does Christina Hudson have to Japan?

Christina Hudson, the co-owner of Hudson Ranch, studied abroad in Japan and is fluent in Japanese, which makes her connection to Japan notable.

How is Rombauer Vineyards known in the wine world?

Rombauer Vineyards is famous for its rich, oaky Chardonnay, a style that has become iconic in the U.S. wine industry. It is known for producing bold, barrel-influenced wines.

What type of wines is Saintsbury known for?

Saintsbury is primarily known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, having gained fame for producing high-quality wines from the cool-growing conditions in Carneros.

How does Truchard Vineyards adapt to the cool climate of Carneros?

Truchard Vineyards thrives in the cool climate of Carneros, producing not only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir but also Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, showcasing the region's versatility despite its cooler temperatures.

Why is the climate of Carneros particularly suited for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir?

The climate of Carneros is cool due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, which allows for longer growing seasons and helps preserve the acidity and fresh fruit flavors that are key characteristics of high-quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

What role does family ownership play in the Carneros region's wineries?

Many wineries in the Carneros region, such as Hyde Vineyards, Hudson Ranch, and Truchard Vineyards, are family-owned. This often contributes to a focus on sustainability, quality production, and a personal touch in the winemaking process.