No, you’re not in the French countryside: Domaine Carneros is a grand, French-inspired château and gardens atop a hill in Napa Valley, California, and it was our third winery stop during my recent trip to Napa for a wedding.

Even driving up to it made me have a moment of confusion, as I truly forgot I was still in California and not France. Of course, this winery is nowhere near as old as the similar-style castles in France. This one was founded in 1987 and built and modeled after Taittinger’s Château de la Marquetterie in France’s Champagne region.

The winery specializes in bubbly wines, and it’s a popular spot, so reservations are highly recommended. After we were escorted to our outdoor table, shaded by an umbrella, we were introduced to our options.

Most of us chose the Sparkling Sampler ($36 each), which included Blanc de Noir, Estate Brut Cuvée, Brut Rosé and Verméil Demi-Sec. I enjoy the occasional glass of bubbly, so this was a treat. I thoroughly loved Estate Brut Cuvée and Brut Rosé the most, although all were crisp, refreshing and cold.

The winery also offers light bites, but as we had eaten before our visit, we came and stayed for the wine (and views).

Domaine Carneros also offers the Red Wine Sampler ($36), which one of my friends opted for instead of the sparklings. The Sparkling Château Tasting ($48) features a more curated selection of sparkling wines, while the Grande Tasting ($65) is the epitome of Domaine Carneros’ offerings.

— Aoife O’Riordan, managing editor