THE CARNEROS ATTITUDE Running along Napa’s southern countryside, Carneros is surrounded by local ranches, & is considered to be the most relaxed appellation in the valley. With a cool, breezy climate, sandy soils & temperatures rarely exceeding 80° F, the region has attracted some of Napa’s most iconic winemaking names since the late 1960s; in recent years, it has become a hub for local artisans & farmers seeking to travel back in time to a stripped-down, more authentic version of Napa Valley.

VINEYARDS: CRESCENDO E CERCANDO (Italian translation: “Growing & Seeking”)

The names of Ca’ Momi’s estate vineyards, Crescendo & Cercando, were inspired by a famous song of the same name by Italian singer/songwriter Claudio Baglioni. The song encourages a life spent growing & learning from the past to embrace the future: ”Troveremo infine chissà / la via della felicità / ogni dì crescendo e cercando...” “We will find, at the end / the path to happiness / everyday growing & seeking...”

Crescendo features 10½ acres of old-vine Pinot Noir. This property along Cuttings Wharf Rd. is home to the oldest continuously producing vines in the Carneros AVA, having been planted in the early ’70s. Cercando, neighboring Crescendo a mile to the north, is a 9-acre parcel planted to Pinot Noir, Merlot & Chardonnay.

The Crescendo property also features Kent Rasmussen’s original planting of Pinot Noir. Since the 1970s, the property has been synonymous with legendary Carneros pinot—so much so that bud wood from the acreage has been sought by vintners all across California, hoping to recreate Rasmussen’s magic. “Rasmussen clone” Pinot Noir can be found in vineyards across the state.