2006-05-19
Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves Celebrates 20 Sparkling Years
From cowboy country to world-class Cuvées, northern California’s Carneros region has witnessed dramatic change in the last 20 years. When Gloria and José Ferrer – the Spanish couple behind the Catalan-based Freixenet – first visited the wind-swept region, Carneros was predominantly home to cattle and sheep ranches. Drawn by the Mediterranean-style climate and gently sloping terrain, the Ferrer family set out to cultivate the area’s first Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for sparkling wine.
In 1986, Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves became the first sparkling wine house in the Carneros region. But while the wines of Gloria Ferrer are pure California, its culture is a charismatic hybrid that mixes vibrant Spanish tradition with casual California elegance.
The winery itself is a harmonious marriage of Spanish and California mission design. Built to reflect the architecture of the Ferrers’ native Catalonia, the winery’s red-tile roof and thick stucco walls were inspired by an 11th century farmhouse located just five miles from the Freixenet bodega in Sant Sandurni d’Anoia. The tasting room at Gloria Ferrer is decorated with Spanish antiques discovered during a renovation of the old farmhouse.
The arched doorways and sunny terraces throughout Gloria Ferrer are also reminiscent of Spain. One of Gloria Ferrer’s main architectural attractions – its sun-drenched Vista Terrace overlooking picturesque estate vineyards – provides the perfect place to enjoy a glass of sparkling or still wine with the savory Spanish cheeses, meats, almonds and other delicacies that are available in the tasting room.
In addition, the winery celebrates its Spanish roots by hosting colorful events throughout the year, such as the annual Catalan Festival of Food, Wine and Music in July and the Three Kings Day in December/January.
Though proud of their Spanish heritage, the Ferrers are deeply committed to crafting authentic Sonoma County wines made by the people of California. Rather than replicate their family’s world-renowned cava in the Golden State, they have always sought to make sparkling wines that captured the unique spirit and unmistakable terroir of
Sonoma Carneros. 
Located 40 miles northwest of San Francisco, the Carneros region is distinguished by warm days, cool nights, summer fog and a long growing season that coaxes grapes to maturity slowly and consistently. To create the most distinctive wines from this climate, Gloria Ferrer has championed groundbreaking research on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir clones. Since 1988, the winery has meticulously matched dozens of clones to the diverse growing conditions in its vineyards, resulting in higher quality grapes with more intense flavors and characteristics.
Gloria Ferrer’s sparkling and still wines are distinguished by a commitment to exceptional fruit nurtured in hand-tended vineyards. True to the warmer California climate that allows grapes to reach full ripeness, Gloria Ferrer sparkling wines are defined by fruit-forward elegance. Though the winery focuses on high quality, more flavorful fruit, the winemaker is careful to balance fruit intensity with delicate effervescence in sparkling wines made to pair perfectly with food.
After 20 years, Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves is as enthusiastic about sharing its passion for California wines and Spanish culture, as it was the day Carneros’ first sparkling wine house was born. Visitors are invited to explore the process of méthode champenoise during tours offered daily. For more information about tours or upcoming events, please call Director of Hospitality Tom Scott at (707) 933-1931 or visit www.gloriaferrer.com.
Gloria Ferrer Champagne Caves is located at 23555 Carneros Highway (121), Sonoma, California.
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