Carneros Creek's Clonal Research

In an attempt to produce the finest California Pinot Noir, Carneros Creek, under the leadership of Francis Mahoney, was the first winery to approach the University of California at Davis to offer its land for an extensive field study focused on improving the quality, not quantity, of a single grape varietal. In a small vineyard behind the winery, Francis planted 20 clonal selections from proven vineyards around the world.

Francis believed that there would be a single Pinot Noir clone which would be the key to success with the varietal in California. With the team from UC Davis, Francis set out to determine the distinct personality of the many clones of Pinot Noir he had planted. After more that a decade of research, the results of the research became all too clear. No single clone could possibly embody all to the wonderful characteristics of the varietal. In order to create consistently superior wines, winemakers must be able to identify the characteristics of each clone, and then blend these clones together to achieve the style of Pinot Noir they were striving for.

His pioneering research behind him, Francis selected an "artist's palette" of different flavors of Pinot Noir. Eventually, eight clones were chosen as being the most promising for achieving the Carneros Creek style. These are the clones that were planted in the winery's newest 100-acre vineyard in 1997, and will provide the backbone for the diverse line of Carneros Creek Pinot Noirs.

Clone - In agriculture, a clone is a genetic replica of one plant propagated and grown as a separate plant. Pinot Noir (like every other varietal) is not composed of a single clone, but a number of clones that all are genetically similar, though not identical.