"In 1981 Anna Moller-Racke was new to marriage and new to America, dispatched from Germany to Sonoma with her husband, Marcus Moller-Racke. His family had just bought Buena Vista Carneros Winery in Sonoma, one of the oldest wineries in the state, originally established by Hungarian count Agoston Haraszthy in 1857. Anna was put to work in the tasting room.

But before long the vineyards called and she was named vineyard manager in 1983, put in charge of some 540 acres sprawled across a burgeoning appellation called Carneros. She was instrumental in obtaining official appellation status as the region started to show promise as a place for chardonnay and pinot noir.

“I remember the French saying if you have 30 more years you will know what you're doing,” Moller-Racke said. “And I thought, well, we know how to make great wines, but there's some truth to that, (about) the vineyards being mature. It's like a baby, to see what it will be as an adult, it takes those 30 years.”"

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Sunday December 6th, 2009

San Francisco Chronicle Selects Carneros Wines as Top 100 Wines 2009

NV Domaine Carneros Cuvee de la Pompadour Brut Rosé
($36) A bit more Pinot Noir helps give this latest rosé from Taittinger's American outpost extra depth. With creamy berry and wet dough accents, there's a slight red-wine grip, peach-skin flavors and a youthful leanness that makes it just right with food.

2008 Etude Carneros Pinot Noir Rosé
($20) Etude winemaker Jon Priest has again nailed a noteworthy pink wine, aged about four months in used barrels. Its creamy stone fruit and impressive strawberry depth add up to a serious, stylish effort.

2007 Donum Estate Carneros Pinot Noir
($65) Made by owner Anne Moller-Racke (formerly of Buena Vista) and Kenneth Juhasz (Auteur Wines) from Donum's estate plots. Dusky tamarind, cola and cedar, with exotic blue plum accents atop loamy dark fruit and a nervous mineral edge. Power here, but kept just a touch back by fine tannins and a distinct lift that balances its significant size.

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Wednesday December 2nd, 2009

Cuvaison 2007 Carneros Syrah, Napa Valley

90 points

"Taut, with firm, dry, pepper-driven flavors, including blackberry and a touch of jalapeño, joined by dried berry, tar and pleasant earth flavors that are tightly wound. Decant. Drink now through 2017." — By James Laube

Tuesday December 1st, 2009

Domaine Carneros 2003 Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs - 92 Points

Domaine Carneros 2003 Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs

92 points | $85 | California | Carneros

Displays an agile balance of boldness and delicacy, with aromas of lemon curd and baked Asian pear. The flavors are crisp yet luscious, with complex apple, citrus and spicy yeast roll. Drink now through 2013.–TF

Tuesday December 1st, 2009

A Family Affair

Issue: Decembery 2009
Story and photos by Cathy Twigg-Blumel

Food and wine go together naturally—
in life and online—at Ceja Vineyards

THE TASTING PANEL had the opportunity to spend a weekend at Ceja Vineyards, tucked away in the Carneros region of Napa. Ameilia Ceja and her family were gracious hosts. Ceja Vineyards was founded in 1999, but the family had been growing wine grapes in the area since 1986. Ceja joins the growing roster of Mexican-American families who have become successful vintners in California.

Amelia knows that wine and food bring people together to create lasting memories, and she proved to be right as she and her family welcomed us with open arms while she prepared an amazing meal (made with herbs from Ceja garden) of lamb chops with her own chimichurri sauce, Mexican shrimp cocktail and grilled eggplant, paired with Ceja Pinot Noir and Ceja Sauvignon Blanc. By the end of the evening, we truly felt like part of their family..."

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