Carignane Grapes for Sale in Contra Costa County (2026 Harvest)
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If you’re looking to buy wine grapes in the East Bay or Contra Costa area — near Brentwood, Oakley, or Livermore — we grow Carignane right here in Knightsen and we’re taking reservations for the 2026 harvest. It’s a bold red grape with a great history in California home winemaking, and it makes a wine that stands out. Here’s what it is, why winemakers want it, and how to get some.
What is Carignane?
Carignane (spelled with an “e” at the end in California — you’ll also see it spelled Carignan) is a red wine grape with roots in Spain and a long history in the South of France’s Rhône Valley and Languedoc. It came to California early, planted by Italian and Portuguese farmers for its dependable nature and generous production. In the 1970s and 1980s, Californian Carignane was one of the leading home winemaking grapes in production.
Today it’s making a comeback — not as a jug wine grape, but as a serious variety that winemakers are seeking out from the right places. Contra Costa is one of those places.
What Contra Costa Carignane tastes like
Grown well, Carignane gives you a bold, deeply colored red. Carignan has always been prized as a black-skinned blending grape, but it makes a deep, sumptuous wine when bottled on its own — especially from special regions such as Contra Costa in California. Expect dark fruit, good natural acidity, firm structure, and real depth of color. It’s a grape that adds backbone to a blend or stands on its own if you want something with character.
Our Contra Costa County neighbors at Sandlands have made some noise with their Carignane from this same region — proof that the fruit here has what serious winemakers are after.
Why Contra Costa grows it well
It comes down to the ground and the climate. Our vineyard sits in Knightsen, in eastern Contra Costa County — close to Brentwood and Oakley, and a straightforward drive from Livermore and the rest of the East Bay. Carignane grapes thrive exceptionally well in Contra Costa County, where the unique Knightsen sandy loam soils and warm Mediterranean-like climate create ideal growing conditions.
The deep sandy soil drains fast and makes the vines work for their water. The Sacramento Delta brings a cool afternoon breeze that slows ripening just enough to keep the fruit fresh and the acidity alive. Hot days and cool nights — that’s the combination that makes Contra Costa Carignane worth seeking out.
We farm naturally and dry-farm our vines. No irrigation. Everything is picked by hand.
Wine grapes for sale near Brentwood, Oakley & Livermore
We’re in Knightsen — right in the middle of eastern Contra Costa County. If you’re a home winemaker or a small winery in Brentwood, Oakley, Antioch, Livermore, or anywhere in the East Bay, we’re your closest source for Carignane grapes grown on site.
No middleman. No broker. Fruit straight from the family that grew it.
What we have for 2026
For the 2026 harvest we expect about 5 tons of Carignane. It’s our smallest block, so availability is limited. Once it’s reserved, it’s gone.
For current Brix, pH, and pricing, email us at cortezavineyards@gmail.com and we’ll send the latest numbers. We don’t post specs that could be out of date by harvest.
We also have Grenache Noir (~15 tons) and Grenache Blanc (~10 tons) available for 2026 if you’re looking to source multiple varieties.
How to buy wine grapes for winemaking
Whether you’re buying in bulk for a commercial vintage or just need enough for a few carboys at home, the process is the same:
- Email cortezavineyards@gmail.com with your variety and rough amount.
- We’ll send current Brix, pH, and pricing.
- We confirm your reservation and coordinate pick timing as harvest gets close.
That’s it.
Reserve your 2026 Carignane grapes
- Wineries and cellars: Grapes for Wineries & Cellars
- Home winemakers: Home Winemakers: Grapes Available – Reserve Yours Now
Or email cortezavineyards@gmail.com directly.
FAQ
Where are you located? Knightsen, in eastern Contra Costa County — close to Brentwood, Oakley, and Antioch, and an easy drive from Livermore and the East Bay.
Do you sell Carignane in small amounts for home winemakers? Yes. Tell us what you’re planning and we’ll let you know what we can work out.
What else do you have for sale? Grenache Noir (about 15 tons expected) and Grenache Blanc (about 10 tons expected) for 2026. Email us for details.
How do I get pricing? Email cortezavineyards@gmail.com and we’ll send current Brix, pH, and price per ton.
Is 5 tons a lot or a little? For a small winery making a focused Carignane wine or blend, it’s a meaningful amount. For a home winemaker, you’d typically use a fraction of that — so there’s room for multiple buyers.
Ready to reserve? Quantities are limited for 2026. Wineries & cellars · Home winemakers · cortezavineyards@gmail.com
