Almost always a sweepstakes contender in any wine competition they enter, Domaine Carneros is tried and true, and their 2015 Estate Brut was no exception, handily winning Best Sparkling of Show at the 2020 Sunset International Wine Competition. Exemplary for its pristine balance, the complex orange blossom aromatics and dense juicy pear and lemon filling are deftly spun into a fine mousse. Made only of estate grapes, this blend of 53% Chardonnay and 47% Pinot Noir shows brilliantly and will age splendidly. Made under the guidance of the now retired CEO Eileen Crane, who handed over the reigns to Remi Cohen last August, this was one of many sparklers from this house of true California Methode Champenoise that has garnered awards at Sunset wine competitions over the years.
CEO Remi Cohen told us, “Domaine Carneros has participated in Sunset’s International Wine Competition since its inception, and we are very honored to have received the trifecta of Best in Show, Best in Class, and Double Gold for our 2015 Estate Brut. The award was especially well timed to deliver positive news during the pandemic and came at a time when visitation at the chateau was restricted. The recognition from this competition brings incredible visibility, not only to the award winning wine, but to the winery, which is an immeasurable and long lasting benefit.”
Indeed, given the on again/off again impact of the pandemic on hospitality venues like tasting rooms, having something positive to share was a godsend, as Cohen notes. “We were grateful to be able to share some bright news with our Chateau Society members and utilize the win in advertising to attract new visitors. The wine industry learned last year how important it is to build out our digital presence in ecommerce and social media, and our ability to feature this seminal award influenced the success we saw in these channels.”
Cohen points out that the Sunset magazine audience is perfectly aligned with that of Domaine Carneros. “We share similar philosophies, including the emphasis of delicious wine in enhancing an eco-friendly, California lifestyle. As California has been experiencing a return to less restricted tourism, at Domaine Carneros we are excited to see a surge in interest for our wines and visiting our chateau. We view the award as an endorsement of our practices, including sustainably grown grapes exclusively from our estate vineyards. We would love to express our gratitude to Sunset and its readership for this incredible acknowledgement!”
And they’ll be back at Sunset 2021 with more sparklers, ready to compete for that trifecta once again.
For more information about the SUNSET International Wine Competition click here: https://sunsetcompetitions.
