Daily Archives: October 29, 2026

Carignan from 4 CA Regions: Bagias, Ridge, Sans Wine, Tercero Paired with Pumpkin Ravioli + Sage Cream Sauce

Carignan from 4 CA Regions: Bagias, Ridge, Sans Wine, Tercero

Once upon a time, Carignan was one of the most important grapes grown in France and the US. In 1961,  French vineyards grew 185,000 hectares of Carignan reports AAWE. In 1971, California grew over 25,ooo acres of Carignane. Today? Not so much. Looking at this chart below you’ll see today’s popular grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir are placed in number nine and number 16 in 1961, far behind Carignane.

1961 wine grapes in France

According to Wine Grape Varieties in California in 2024 (bearing acres).  today Carignane is only the 23rd most planted fruit bearing grape in California with 1,838 acres.
“It’s the perfect blending grape,” says Ridge’s David Gates; that’s “why it’s still around.” According to Gates in a Carignan Day webinar in 2020, Carignan brightens acidity, brings out aromas, and pushes fruit flavors forward. This is a “bistro style wine with good tannins but not too much” says Gates, and it works on its own or blended.

So what happened?

Continue reading →