Why We Created Amista Sparkling Friends
Because sparkling wine is meant to be enjoyed with friends!
Why Start a Sparkling Wine Club?
As a longtime lover of Champagne and sparkling wine, I know one thing for certain—bubble lovers always want their bubbles. At Amista Vineyards in Healdsburg, we already had a wine club for our red and white wines. But if you’re like me, you want the choice to enjoy sparkling wine exclusively. That’s exactly why we created the a sparkling wine club, Sparkling Friends , the first dedicated sparkling wine clubs in Dry Creek Valley.
Our vision was simple: to give sparkling lovers a community, a place to celebrate, and guaranteed access to our limited-production sparkling wines. Since then, Sparkling Friends has become one of the most joyful parts of Amista, connecting wine enthusiasts who share a passion for bubbles.
Here are five reasons we launched Sparkling Friends—and why joining a sparkling wine club might be the best way to experience sparkling wines from Sonoma County.
1. Sparkling Wine Brings People Together
We believe sparkling wine is meant to be enjoyed with friends. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or simply a Tuesday night, bubbles have a way of making any occasion feel special. That sense of celebration and connection is what inspired us to create Sparkling Friends.
When you open a bottle of sparkling wine, you’re not just pouring a drink—you’re creating a moment to share. A sparkling wine club makes sure those moments are always close at hand.
2. Food and Wine Pairings Deserve a Spotlight
We’ll use any excuse to showcase extraordinary wine and food pairings. Sparkling Friends officially launched in 2014 during Passport to Dry Creek Valley, the premiere food and wine event in our region. That year we paired our Amista Blanc de Blanc with freshly shucked oysters, and the combination was magical.
Since then, we’ve loved sharing pairing ideas that go beyond the traditional. Sparkling rosé with salmon, Syrah sparkling with barbecue, Blanc de Blanc with fried chicken—our club members get to explore how versatile bubbles can be at the table.
3. A Sparkling Wine Club Encourages Experimentation
Our winemaker, Ashley Herzberg, and I love to experiment with grapes not traditionally used in Champagne, especially our Rhône varieties grown on our estate vineyards in Dry Creek Valley. Creating new sparkling wines keeps things fresh and exciting, and having Sparkling Friends gives us even more reason to keep innovating.
Today, our lineup of sparkling “gems” includes everything from Blanc de Blanc to Sparkling Syrah and even sparkling Grenache. A wine club gives us the freedom to craft small, experimental batches—and gives our members the thrill of discovering them first.
4. Guaranteed Access to Limited-Production Wines
One of the biggest benefits of joining a sparkling wine club is guaranteed access. At Amista Vineyards, we’re a small grower sparkling house, much like the boutique grower Champagne houses in France. Our production is extremely limited, and bottles often sell out before the next release.
Sparkling Friends members always have the first “pop” at our estate-grown sparkling wines. For anyone who has ever missed out on a favorite vintage, that priority access makes all the difference.
5. Sharing the Spirit of Amista
At the heart of it all, Sparkling Friends is about sharing. Ashley and I often say we make sparkling wines for ourselves, but we love nothing more than sharing them with others. That’s what friends do—share their discoveries.
Amista means “making friends,” and the Sparkling Friends club embodies that spirit. It’s about more than wine—it’s about connection, celebration, and community.
Join the Celebration
If you love bubbles as much as we do, consider joining the Amista Sparkling Friends Wine Club. You’ll gain exclusive access to our estate-grown sparkling wines from Healdsburg, early releases, and special pairing experiences designed to bring out the joy in every glass.
Because sparkling wine isn’t just for special occasions—it creates them.
Still Thirsty?
Below is a curated list of resources to learn more.
A Case for Why Sparkling Wine Pairs with Everything, Wine and Food
The Best Cheeses for Champagne, Karen MacNeil
