About Ancien Wines
Ancien has been a quiet fixture of California Pinot Noir since 1992, when Ken Bernards, a chemistry graduate who cut his teeth as an experimental winemaker at Domaine Chandon, made a hundred-odd cases from Carneros fruit. With his wife Teresa, formerly Chandon's lab director, he built the label into a boutique producer of small-lot Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris totaling under 5,000 cases a year.
The lineup reads like a cool-climate atlas: Carneros and Coombsville in Napa, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Mountain and the Sonoma Coast, Sta. Rita Hills, Carmel Valley, even Oregon's Shea Vineyard. After the Haynes Vineyard property sold in 2019, production moved to an established winery on the Napa side of Carneros, and a 'Tout Mes Terroirs' blend marked the label's thirtieth anniversary.
In 1999 Ken Bernards flew Pinot Noir grapes in from Burgundy's Morey-St-Denis and made 45 cases of 'Par Avion.'
What Wino Notion Loved
Visit pending, based on winery profile & reputation
✓
A 1992 originalKen Bernards has made small-lot Pinot Noir under the Ancien label for more than three decades.
✓
Site over brandBottlings span Carneros, Coombsville, Sonoma County, Sta. Rita Hills, Carmel Valley, and Oregon's Shea Vineyard.
✓
Chandon rootsKen was an experimental winemaker at Domaine Chandon, where Teresa Bernards ran the lab.
"Three decades of single-vineyard Pinot Noir from a genuine cool-climate specialist."
Visit Pending
Score Breakdown
Ratings will appear after verified reviews
Wine Quality
Not yet rated
Tasting Experience
Not yet rated
Value for Money
Not yet rated
Family Friendly
Not yet rated
Dog Friendly
Not yet rated
Reviews Across the Web
loading...
WN
Wino Notion
Not yet rated Awaiting reviews
G
Google Live
Fetching...
↗
Scores from Google Maps via its official API · Updated every 24 hours · Click any row to view full reviews
Featured Wines
PINOT NOIR
Toyon Farm Pinot Noir
2023 · Carneros, Napa Valley
A single-vineyard Carneros bottling from Toyon Farm, released to the mailing list in fall 2025.
Inquire
PINOT NOIR
Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir
2023 · Sta. Rita Hills
Part of Ancien's long-running Santa Barbara County program, released in spring 2026.
Inquire
CHARDONNAY
Toyon Farm Chardonnay
2023 · Carneros, Napa Valley
A small-lot Carneros Chardonnay from the same Toyon Farm site as the Pinot Noir.
Inquire
Recent releases per Ancien's mailing-list offers tracked at winerelease.com, March 2026; wines sell primarily through the list at ancienwines.com, with some bottlings club-exclusive.
Tasting Experiences
Book on Tock →Appointment Tasting at Vinoce
Ancien has no tasting room of its own; tastings are arranged by appointment at the Vinoce tasting room in Napa's historic Tannery Bend district.
By appointment
Mailing List
Small-lot releases are offered to subscribers several times a year, with certain wines reserved for club members only.
List access
Photo Gallery
Community Photo Coming Soon
Photos submitted by winery visitors will appear here after review.
Share details from your visit →Recent Reviews from Our Community
No Community Reviews Yet
This winery does not have any published Wino Notion community reviews yet. Be the first to share a recent visit and help other wine travelers know what to expect.
Share Your Experience at Ancien Wines
★★★★★
🔎 Practical Info
🚗 Parking
👶 Good for Kids
🐾 Dogs
💰 Value for Money
🔁 Would You Return?
✨ Vibe & Occasion
💑 Good For (pick all that apply)
🔊 Atmosphere
👗 Dress Code
🪑 Seating (pick all that apply)
🌱 Dietary Options (pick all that apply)
👟 Getting Around (pick all that apply)
More Napa Valley Wineries
All Napa Valley →
Not Yet Reviewed
Bergevin Lane Vineyards
Napa Valley · Napa
Not Yet Reviewed
Beringer Vineyards
Napa Valley · St
Not Yet Reviewed
Bjorn Vineyards
Napa Valley · Howell Mountain
Not Yet Reviewed
Black Dog Ranch
Napa Valley · Howell Mountain
Not Yet Reviewed
Black Stallion Estate Winery
Napa Valley · Stags Leap District
Not Yet Reviewed
Blackbird Vineyards
Napa Valley · Oak Knoll District