The unique cool climate of the Carneros district has drawn grape growers and winemakers to the appellation since the 1830s. And though their grape vines reigned the rolling hills of the north shore of San Francisco Bay for decades, phylloxera and Prohibition eventually forced these early Carneros growers to plant fruit trees where their vines had once prevailed, and raise cattle and sheep that could mow the pastures clean. Ironic or fitting - carneros is the Spanish word for sheep.

It was 100 years later in the 1930s before wine pioneers Louis Martini and Andre Tchelistcheff returned to Carneros to develop vineyards again. In the 40s they promoted important rootstock and clonal research. In the 50s, thanks in part to Martini’s work, Chardonnay Clone #108 was born to the California wine industry. In 1960, Rene diRosa purchased the historic Carneros vineyards named Talcoa – which today are home to the world-class diRosa Preserve. And in 1971, Francis and Kathleen Mahoney partnered with Balfour Gibson to found what became Carneros Creek Winery in 1973. Carneros Creek was the first winemaking facility to be constructed in Carneros since Prohibition, and, under Francis Mahoney’s stewardship, it would become a significant force in the development of the Carneros district and New World Pinot Noir.

Why Carneros? Inspired by his affinity for the great wines of Burgundy, Francis Mahoney gravitated to the Carneros District which had long been known to be ideal for cultivating Burgundian grapes – most notably Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The shallow, rocky clay loam soils of Carneros make the vines work hard to establish roots. This “stressing” yields smaller, intense varietal fruit. And the cool breezes off the water temper the hot summers and cold winters – promoting full and even ripening of the fruit and balance in the wine.

Even before his Carneros vines began to bear fruit, Mahoney teamed up with the U.C. Davis School of Enology and Viticulture to conduct the first research focused on developing California Pinot Noir. Francis recognized that by isolating the specific flavor characteristics of various Pinot clonal selections, he could create several styles of Pinot Noir by vinifying these clones in separate small lots for blending. He began with 20 proven Pinot clones from around the world and, after many years of study, was able to identify eight of those clones as key components of greatness for Carneros Pinot Noir. Today, these clonal selections are planted throughout the 160+ acres of Mahoney Vineyards and they serve as the foundation of the winemaker’s blending palette for the Carneros Creek wines.

Francis Mahoney’s passion and ongoing commitment to making world class Pinot Noir in California has made Carneros Creek a leader in defining and expressing the heritage and distinctive terroir of the Carneros district through its highly-developed vines and award-winning wines.

DISTINGUISHED AWARDS:
2006 Pacific Rim International Competition: Best of Class and Gold Medal to 2003 Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir; Gold Medal to 2002 Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir
2006 San Diego International Competition: Silver Medals to 2003 “Grail” Pinot Noir, 2002 Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir, 2003 Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir.
16th Annual Jerry D. Mead New World International Competition: Gold Medal to 2002 Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir; Silver Medal to 2003 Carneros Reserve Pinot Noir.
2006 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition:  Gold Medal awarded to the 2003 “Grail” Pinot Noir.