What is a Sparkling GSM Blend?
A Rare and Unique Bubbly…
…Sparkling Tres from Amista Vineyards.
At Amista Vineyards, our love for Rhône varieties and sparkling wine led us to create Sparkling Tres—a unique take on the classic GSM blend. But what exactly is a GSM blend? Traditionally, it refers to a red wine made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, a combination that originated in France's Rhône Valley. Our sparkling version follows the same principles, using these three grapes and undergoing a second fermentation in the bottle to create elegant bubbles.
Did Amista Create the First Sparkling GSM Blend?
Perhaps! Sparkling GSM blends appear to be rare. A recent web search turned up only one—Amista Sparkling Tres. That discovery makes our wine all the more special, a true reflection of our pioneering spirit.
Amista Sparkling Tres
Winemaker Ashley Herzberg describes Sparkling Tres, a sparkling rosé, as bursting with fresh berry, bright cherry, and deep cranberry notes. While its vibrant fruit profile might suggest sweetness, it is a dry, refreshing wine that pairs beautifully with a wide range of foods. We didn’t set out to make a sparkling GSM blend. Instead, it evolved naturally, step by step, from our deep-rooted love for Rhône varieties—beginning with Syrah.
Que Será, Será
When we planted our first Syrah vines in 2000 in Dry Creek Valley, we didn’t have a master plan. Syrah was being hailed as the “next big thing,” and we were excited to be part of its rise. Little did we know that just a few years later, the movie Sideways would shift the spotlight to Pinot Noir, pushing Syrah into the background.
The Birth of 'Garage Syrah'
Despite the industry trends, my late husband and co-founder, Mike, saw the potential in our young Syrah vines. Traditionally, vineyards drop their fruit in the second year to help vines establish themselves. But Mike, eager to revive his passion for winemaking that began a decade earlier in our Silicon Valley home, had a different idea. In 2002, with the help of neighbors, family, and friends from Munich and Denver, he harvested three tons of Syrah and made our first wine in our garage—affectionately called "Garage Syrah."
The Launch of Amista
Garage Syrah was never intended for sale—it was simply a hobby and a way to share something personal with our friends. But every time they tasted it, they asked when they could buy a bottle. Their enthusiasm gave us the nudge we needed, and in 2004, Amista Vineyards was born.
Our Love for Rhônes Grows
That first Syrah set us on a path of discovery with Rhône wines. While Syrah didn’t become the superstar we expected, it became a cornerstone of our winemaking journey. We and our guests fell in love with its character, leading us to explore other Rhône varieties.
Expanding Our Rhône Collection
In 2011, we decided to grow our Rhône offerings. Instead of uprooting our established Syrah vines, we used T-budding, a grafting technique that allowed us to introduce new varieties without waiting years for new vines to mature. By the 2012 harvest, we had added Grenache and Mourvèdre to our vineyard, making two new red wines from these grapes.
The Debut of Tres and Our First Blend
With all three classic GSM grapes now in our vineyard, we created our first blend—Tres. This wine quickly became a favorite, especially for Mike. Winemaker Ashley, who joined us in 2011, encouraged us to blend rather than focus solely on single-varietal wines. Though hesitant at first, we embraced the idea, and Tres became a beloved addition to our lineup.
Sparkling Wines from Rhône Varieties
As we continued our Rhône adventure, we also expanded our sparkling wine collection. We introduced Sparkling Grenache and a sparkling Mourvèdre (called Mataró, the Catalan name for Mourvèdre). We also blended Grenache and Syrah with Chardonnay to create Fusión.
Why Sparkling Tres?
We first created Sparkling Tres in 2020, more than a decade after making our first sparkling wine. As with everything at Amista, we didn’t follow a market trend—we simply trusted our instincts. Given our love for Tres and the Rosé of Tres we introduced in 2018, making a sparkling version felt like a natural next step. Today, Sparkling Tres is one of our most sought-after wines, with fewer than 150 cases produced each year—a true testament to the joy of discovery and the spirit of Amista.
Still Thirsty?
If you want to learn more, here is a curated list of resources.
Mourvedre — A Guide to the Basics
What Do We Mean When We Say Rhône-style Wine?