Schug Carneros Estate Winery

The founder of Schug Carneros, Walter Schug, spent ten years as the founding winemaker at Joseph Phelps Vineyards beginning in 1973 and created California's first proprietary Bordeaux-style blend, Insignia, and the first varietal Syrah in the U.S. He also made the vineyard designates Eisele and Backus, and pioneered late-harvest dessert wines. He was the first-ever to receive a 99-point score from wine critic Robert Parker, Jr.

Schug's real passion was Pinot Noir. Phelps discontinued producing Pinot Noir in 1980 and Schug began making it the same year under his own label. Ten laters later, he built Schug Carneros Estate Winery near the town of Sonoma and by 1992 was making estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Walter and his wife Gertrud were joined by son Axel in 1989 who directed the sales and growth of the winery in the ensuing years and became the currently the managing partner.

Schug was the "winemaster emeritus" while Sonoma-born Michael Cox handled the winemaking duties beginning in 1995. For Pinot Noir, German plunger fermentation tanks and European oval oak casks were used in addition to small French oak barrels. The style here has always emphasized elegance and age ability.

Schug Carneros Estate Winery celebrated the 40th anniversary of its first vintage in 2020. The family-owned winery entered a new chapter, with dynamic, young German-American winemaker Johannes Scheid bringing modern touches to the winery's European-styled wines.

Walter and Gertrud Schug have both passed away and the current owners are the couple's children, Axel, Claudia and Andrea Schug. They are preserving the family's rich winemaking legacy for generations to come.

The Schug lineup of multiple varietals is sold on the website and distributed nationally. Pinot Noir offerings include Carneros, Estate Grown, Sangiacomo Vineyard and Sonoma Coast. The winery's tasting room at 602 Bonneau Road in Sonoma is open by appointment only.