NAPA VALLEY, CA—Since yesterday morning, I’ve received numerous emails from friends and wine-loving strangers asking “Exactly what are your plans for New Year’s Day?” Folks who know me figured that I’d want to make today special. Certainly, for 2012’s premiere, I needed to start things off right. I knew that sparkling wine (aka Champagne) was A MUST—as was an elegant setting in which to enjoy it. Where to go on a cloudless, crisp January afternoon in Napa?

Nothing could be more breathtaking than sipping wine samplers on the terrace at the Domaine Carneros tasting room in Napa Valley. Nothing. Located in the renowned Carneros region in southern Napa, the winery is situated in what is prime growing area for the grape varieties that go into the best sparkling wine and sumptuous Pinot Noir.

The visually stunning winery is approached by a long series of steps that climb to a grand entranceway. French marble floors, high ceilings, and decorative features such as a Louis XV fireplace mantel imbue the interior with a palatial ambience.

I was surprised at the number of guests who had the same idea.

Table service is provided for guests who are welcome to order wines in the elegant salon, warmed by a fireplace on cool days,…

…or on the terrace. Here is the back terrace which was reserved for wine club members.

The views from the front and southern terrace were spectacular this afternoon. Everyone was having a splendid time. In this photo, you’ll see our waiter, Santos. He was so very polite, knowledgeable, and exceedingly helpful.

There was a myriad of tantalizing choices on the tasting and food pairing menus. For example:

Sparkling Wine Sampler (2 oz. each)
2007 Brut Cuvée
2008 Brut Rosé
2007 Vermíl Demi-Sec 

Red Wine Sampler (2 oz. each)
2009 Avant-Garde Pinot Noir
2009 Estate Pinot Noir
2007 Avant-Garde Merlot 

Grande Tasting (2 oz. each)
2007 Ultra Brut
2006 Le Rêve Rosé
2005 Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs
2007 The Famous Gate Pinot Noir 

Each of the above can also be ordered by the glass.

Artisan Cheese Plates on the menu included:
-Bellwether Farms “Carmody” (Sonoma County, CA)
-Cowgirl Creamery triple-cream “Mt. Tam” (Sonoma County, CA) 
-Cypress Grove, “Midnight Moon” (Humboldt County, CA)

Also available is a Charcuterie Plate: a selection of artisan sausages and patés served with baguettes. If you want to go all out, they also have caviar and smoked salmon or a pastry plate with an assortment of four European-style pastries. It all looked excellent.

We ordered the Sparkling Wine Sampler. All were lovely. My favorite of the three was the one on the far right: 2007 Vermíl Demi-Sec. It was a touch sweeter that the Brut Cuvée. The staff here was spot on. Everyone was welcoming and pleasant. To me, service and hospitality are equally as important to the quality of the product being served. Bravo!

The sparkling wine was SO good, in fact, that I had a large format bottle brought out!

My plans were to take it home. But, suddenly, the air held a scent of jealousy and the other guests became unruly. In order to save my skin I put the gigantic bottle down and slowly backed away… ;-)

It was an absolutely wonderful day at Domaine Carneros. You don’t need a special occasion like New Years Day to enjoy this opulent winery. It’s open from 10-6 daily. I’ve been recommending it to visitors for years. The next time you’re up to Northern California Wine Country don’t miss it!

Happy New Year to all!