Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc

Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc is a 100% Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County, California, bottled at 13.8% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scored 92 points by James Suckling in both 2023 and 2024, this expression stands out for its split-fermentation technique that balances bright tropical fruit against a rounder, more textured mouthfeel than most comparably priced California Sauvignon Blancs.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.8%  |  Origin: Sonoma County, California  |  Style: Dry White Wine  |  Winery: Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery

Production & Heritage

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery was founded in 1981 by Don and Rhonda Carano in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley, and their Fumé Blanc has long been one of the winery's flagship releases. Grapes sourced primarily from Sonoma County and the broader North Coast undergo 48 hours of cold settling after crushing and pressing. The fermentation is then split: 70% goes into stainless steel tanks to preserve bright acidity and varietal purity, while the remaining 30% ferments in neutral French oak barrels, where it undergoes sur lie aging with biweekly stirring for two months. This dual approach gives the wine its signature combination of crisp citrus drive and creamy mid-palate weight.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe pineapple and mango before shifting into more delicate notes of lemongrass, lychee, and grapefruit pith. A subtle flinty minerality emerges as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is bright with lime zest and kiwi, moving into a mid-palate of yellow peach, apricot, and pear. The oak-fermented portion reveals itself through a lemon-cream richness that adds weight without masking the fruit, while hints of white flowers and melon round out the palate.

Finish: Medium in length, the finish carries clean citrus acidity alongside lingering notes of ripe stone fruit and a subtle grassy quality. The texture remains smooth and balanced through the close.

How to Drink Fumé Blanc

Serve well chilled at 45–50°F to let the tropical aromatics open gradually; a tulip-shaped white wine glass will concentrate the nose beautifully. This wine also works as a cocktail and spritz ingredient. A White Wine Spritz with soda and a grapefruit twist plays to the wine's citrus character. A Fumé Blanc Sangria loaded with fresh mango, peach, and lime highlights the tropical profile. And a Wine Margarita—replacing a portion of the tequila-citrus mix with this Fumé Blanc—adds body and floral complexity to the classic template.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want a versatile, food-friendly white
• Summer entertaining on the patio or poolside
• Introducing someone to California Sauvignon Blanc beyond basic supermarket labels
• Gifting a wine lover who appreciates Sonoma County producers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Fumé Blanc taste like? Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc delivers bright tropical fruit—pineapple, mango, and peach—balanced by lime zest, lemongrass, and a creamy lemon-cream texture from partial oak fermentation. It finishes clean with crisp acidity and a touch of green grassiness.

How does Fumé Blanc compare to Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc? Robert Mondavi popularized the "Fumé Blanc" name in the 1960s as a label for dry, oak-influenced Sauvignon Blanc, and that wine tends toward a leaner, more herbaceous style. Ferrari-Carano's version, with 30% neutral French oak barrel fermentation and sur lie aging, generally shows more tropical fruit intensity and a rounder mid-palate texture.

Is Fumé Blanc good for sipping on its own? Absolutely—the balance of bright acidity and creamy weight from the split-fermentation process makes it enjoyable on its own as a chilled aperitif or warm-weather sipper.

Where is Fumé Blanc made? Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc is produced at Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma County, California, with grapes sourced primarily from Sonoma County vineyards and selected North Coast California sites.

What foods pair well with Fumé Blanc? Grilled shrimp or prawns complement the wine's tropical fruit and citrus acidity. Fresh goat cheese salads mirror its tangy brightness. Seared halibut or other mild white fish let the wine's stone-fruit and cream notes shine. Thai green papaya salad echoes the lemongrass and lime zest aromatics. Chicken with a lemon-herb pan sauce works well with the wine's balanced weight and acidity.

What sizes does Fumé Blanc come in? Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Fumé Blanc worth the price? Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc positions as a mid-range California Sauvignon Blanc that consistently over-delivers, earning 92 points from James Suckling in consecutive vintages—a strong showing for its price tier and a reliable choice within the category.

Why Fumé Blanc?

The 70/30 split-fermentation method—stainless steel for freshness, neutral French oak for body—is the defining production decision that separates this wine from straightforward, tank-fermented Sauvignon Blancs in its price range. Consecutive 92-point scores from James Suckling confirm vintage-to-vintage consistency, a quality that matters when you want a go-to bottle you can rely on. Ferrari-Carano has been refining this exact approach since the early 1980s, making Fumé Blanc one of the longest-running Sauvignon Blanc programs in Sonoma County. For drinkers who find many California Sauvignon Blancs either too lean or too oaky, this expression occupies a well-judged middle ground with genuine complexity.