Californian Roots
Italian Soul
Our Story Begins Over
40 Years Ago
From the small, 30-acre plot of grapes purchased in 1979 to today’s 21 estate vineyards in 6 different appellations totaling over 1,200 sustainably-farmed acres, Ferrari-Carano owns some of the finest winegrowing properties in all of California.
1981
Don and Rhonda Carano, natives of Reno, Nevada, and second generation Italian-Americans, founded Ferrari-Carano in 1981. Don and Rhonda were introduced to the beauty of Northern Sonoma County in 1979 while searching for wines to enhance the wine lists at the Eldorado, their hotel casino in Reno.
1985
Ground is broken for the winery production building in Dry Creek Valley
1987
First two Ferrari-Carano wines are released – the 1986 Fumé Blanc and the 1985 Chardonnay – two wines that are still produced today.
1995
Italian-inspired Villa Fiore hospitality center is opened in Dry Creek Valley.
2004
PreVail Mountain Winery production facility in Alexander Valley opens for red wine production.
2015
Ferrari-Carano’s 21 vineyard ranches earn CA Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance certification (CSWA).
2020
Foley Family Wines purchases Ferrari-Carano Winery
2026
For the first time in Ferrari-Carano’s history, our iconic Fumé Blanc and Chardonnay packages receive a thoughtful refresh, bringing a fresh, modern expression to two longtime favorites while honoring their unmistakable Ferrari-Carano heritage.
Italian at Heart
Our Italian roots run deeper than a name. Founders Don and Rhonda Carano were second-generation Italian-Americans who brought a love of food, wine, family, and generous hospitality to everything they created at Ferrari-Carano.
Today, that spirit lives on in the way we gather around the table, welcome guests to our estate, and craft wines meant to be shared. It’s our own expression of Italian good living—rooted in Sonoma, full of warmth, and always served with a little flair.
Crafted with Character
Aromatic Whites + Mountain Reds
From bright, expressive whites to rich, structured mountain reds, our wines begin with a deep understanding of where they’re grown. We keep vineyard lots separate throughout winemaking, giving each site the time and attention it deserves before bringing the final wine together.
The result is distinctly Ferrari-Carano: aromatic, food-friendly whites with freshness and character, and complex reds shaped by the rugged mountain vineyards of our region.
Winemaker
Spotlights
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Winemaker, White WinesNatalie West
“The bottom line is quality without compromise. This is a commitment we feel is reflected in every bottle of Ferrari-Carano wine.”
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Winemaker, Red WinesRebecka Deike
“As winemaker for our red wines, I love the seasonal experiences and connection between seeing the vines develop in the vineyards, the grapes ripening & witnessing…”
Our Sustainable Vineyards
Great wine starts with great land. Across more than 1,200 acres of estate vineyards, we farm with an eye toward both the wine we’re making today and the land we’ll leave for tomorrow.
Our 21 estate vineyards are certified sustainable, with practices tailored to the unique needs of each site—from conserving water and building healthy soils to supporting biodiversity and protecting surrounding habitats. Because caring for the vineyard isn’t separate from making exceptional wine. It’s where it begins.
Our AVAs- A Sense of Place
Sonoma County is home, but our vineyards reach beyond it too. From the warmth of Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys to the cooler reaches of Russian River Valley, Mendocino, and Napa Carneros, our vineyard sites span some of Northern California’s most distinctive winegrowing regions.
Each brings something different to the table—its own climate, soils, elevation, and character—and gives our winemakers an extraordinary range of fruit to work with.
Dry Creek Valley
The warm, well-drained soils of Dry Creek Valley…one of the most picturesque wine regions that supports multiple Ferrari-Carano varietals and is home to our Italianate winery and hospitality center, Villa Fiore.
Alexander Valley
The deep, fertile soils of Alexander Valley…home to many of Ferrari-Carano’s mountain, bench land and valley floor vineyards and one of the largest appellations in Sonoma County.
Russian River Valley
The cooler region Russian River Valley…known for its marine fog, gravelly soils, deep forests and open grasslands…ideal appellation for growing our Pinot Noir and Vineyard Select Chardonnays.
Napa Carneros
The foggy, breezy Napa Carneros region…the unusually cool climate of this region near the San Francisco bay is ideal for growing our Chardonnay grapes.