Sparkling Wines – Not Just for Special Occasions Anymore!
North Bay Wine Tours posed an important question in their feature on the 5 Best Sparkling Wine Tastings in Sonoma: “Did you know that sparkling wine isn’t just for special occasions anymore?”
We couldn’t agree more.
California sparkling wines are perfect for a fun, relaxed tasting, and Sonoma County now boasts an exciting collection of sparkling wine houses—each with its own style and story. Here at Amista Vineyards, we’re proud to have created the first sparkling winery in Dry Creek Valley, where our guests can explore bubbles in every hue and style.
Amista Vineyards, Healdsburg – Approachable and unique sparkling wines produced from a variety of grapes. This is a laid-back wine tasting experience out of their modern yet rustic barn. Take a walk along their vineyard trail and enjoy delicious Dry Creek Valley sparkling wine.
~ Vlada and Shawn Walker, North Bay Wine Tours
Amista Vineyards – First Sparkling Winery in Healdsburg
A couple of decades ago, before we dreamed of becoming the first sparkling wine house in Healdsburg, I was simply a sparkling wine lover who was frustrated. Every tasting flight seemed to include one or two bubbles and the rest still wines—often Chardonnay or Pinot Noir. I wanted a true sparkling wine tasting experience.
When we made our first sparkling wine in 2008, I decided Amista would always offer a sparkling flight. It turned out to be easier said than done—you can’t have a flight with just one sparkling wine!
The Journey to Sparkling Wines at Amista
Our first sparkling wine, made from the unconventional Syrah grape, debuted in 2008. We kept it mostly under wraps—just a few dozen cases—but it sparked something bigger.
By 2011, we added our Blanc de Blanc, made from Chardonnay. That wine scored 91 points and earned a gold medal at the Best of the Best North Coast Wine Competition. Our sparkling wines were no longer a secret, but we still didn’t have enough bubbles to offer a flight.
The First Sparkling Wine Club in Healdsburg
In 2013, we expanded our collection with three new sparkling wines. By 2014, we launched Healdsburg’s first sparkling wine club, something I’d long wanted to see. After all, how could a “sparkling house” not have a club dedicated solely to bubbles?
Creating the Sparkling Flight
By 2016, we finally had enough wines to offer a true sparkling flight. But there was a new challenge—our sparkling wines became so popular that they often sold out before the next release. Balancing availability for our club members and tasting guests became an art form of its own.
A Collection of Sparkling Wines to Explore
Today, we craft five distinct sparkling wines at Amista Vineyards:
- Sparkling Syrah
- Blanc de Blanc
- Sparkling Grenache
- Sparkling Mataró (100% Mourvèdre)
- Fusión (a pale blend reminiscent of a Blanc de Noirs)
In 2022, we introduced Sparkling Tres, a sparkling rosé made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre—the classic Rhône-style GSM blend. This unique sparkling rosé captures the lively spirit of Dry Creek Valley.
Unique Rhône-Inspired Sparkling Wines
Our winemaker, Ashley Herzberg, and I make sparkling wines we love to drink—crafted from nontraditional grape varieties that reflect our vineyard’s Rhône focus. All our sparkling wines come from estate-grown grapes at Morningsong Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley, just outside Healdsburg.
Because we grow our own fruit, we can farm and harvest specifically for sparkling wines, ensuring freshness, balance, and bright acidity.
Crafted in the Classic Méthode Traditionnelle
Although we use nontraditional grapes, we make our wines in the Méthode traditionnelle—the same time-honored process used to craft Champagne in France. The secondary fermentation happens in each bottle, creating the fine bubbles and elegant texture that make sparkling wine so captivating.
Amista – Among the Best Sparkling Wine Tastings in Sonoma
When you visit Amista Vineyards, you’ll discover why we were featured as one of the 5 best. Our friendly team will make you feel right at home, guiding you through a relaxed and joyful tasting experience. Enjoy a sparkling flight under our solar-covered patio, beneath the trees overlooking the vineyards, or inside our modern-rustic barn. At Amista—Spanish for “making friends”—our hospitality is as genuine and welcoming as the wines we pour.
Discover Rhône-Style Reds and a Warm Welcome for Dogs
In addition to our sparkling wines, we offer a flight featuring our Rhône-style red wines and blends of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, crafted from estate-grown grapes in Dry Creek Valley. These wines reflect the same care and balance that define our sparkling portfolio and highlight the beauty of Rhône varieties grown in Sonoma County.
We also welcome four-legged friends to join you during your visit. Whether you’re sipping under the trees or strolling along our vineyard trail, your pup will enjoy the relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere as much as you do.
We invite you to make a reservation to Taste With Us s and experience the joy of wine—both still and sparkling—at Amista Vineyards in Healdsburg, California.
Still Thirsty?
If you want to learn more, here is a curated list of resources.
What is Méthode Champenoise (or Méthode Traditionelle)?
