Pinot Meunier (French for ”miller,” in reference to the powdery underside of its leaves that can look as though dusted with flour) is the soulful cousin of Pinot Noir that plays a small but vital role in the blending of Chandon sparkling wines. Rarely planted outside of the Champagne region in France where it represents significant acreage of that appellation, Pinot Meunier is being discovered by only a few of the most adventurous California winemakers.

Chandon’s experience growing Carneros Pinot Meunier for our sparkling wine programs over the past three decades gives us unique insight, allowing us to tap the full potential of this variety to create an exceptional red wine. Our vineyard property in Carneros seems to be the perfect home for this fruit, and we believe its distinctive character deserves a place on every wine lover’s table. Hand-crafted by Domaine Chandon since 1989 in boutique quantities for sale at the winery, the 2000 Pinot Meunier represented the first national release of this unique and hard-to-find variety.