Our Story Begins 40 Years Ago

History

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.  They eventually purchased a 60-acre parcel in the Alexander Valley, and realizing the potential for the area, began to acquire additional vineyard land. Ground was broken for Ferrari-Carano Winery in Dry Creek Valley in 1985. The first wines bearing the Ferrari-Carano label were released in 1987. Those first wines were a 1986 Fumé Blanc and a 1985 Alexander Valley Chardonnay.

Today, owned by Bill and Carol Foley since 2019, Ferrari-Carano still produces the Fumé Blanc and Chardonnay as well as over 20 other white and red wines. Ferrari-Carano’s 21 vineyards have earned California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) certification, becoming a Certified California Sustainable Vineyard for their numerous efforts to preserve the land for future generations while producing memorable, sustainable wines of outstanding quality.

Ferrari-Carano has always been a leading producer of world-class, nationally-acclaimed wines. Vintage after vintage, the wines exhibit a remarkable consistency of style and elegance. Ferrari-Carano’s uncompromising commitment to quality and excellence is a reflection of the desire to produce memorable wines that enhance the pleasures of gracious entertaining.