Why France? The Inspiration Behind Our Amista Vineyards Wine Cruise
Explore, sip and celebrate…
…our Rhône and sparkling roots in France!
France is the birthplace of both Rhône varieties and Champagne, the original sparkling wine—the two pillars of our winemaking focus at Amista Vineyards. When Ashley Herzberg, our winemaker, and I heard about the opportunity to host a river cruise from Paris to Normandy, we immediately knew it was the perfect fit. This journey isn’t just about exploring one of the world’s most iconic wine regions; it’s about celebrating the deep connections between Amista and the traditions that have inspired us from the very beginning.
Amista Wine Cruise – Paris to Normandy, June 2026
Ashley and I are thrilled to announce that will be hosting a wine cruise from Paris to Normandy from June 18 through 25, 2026! We are partnering with the Winegrowers of Dry Creek and two of our winery neighbors—Fat Dragon and Dutcher Crossing—to bring you an intimate opportunity to experience three exclusive wine-pairing dinners and master classes while immersing ourselves in the tradition, culture, and cuisine of France.
Get the details: Wine Cruise – Paris to Normandy, June 2026
At Amista, we believe that wine is about connection. Amista means “making friends,” and what better way to forge new friendships and deepen existing ones than by sharing meals and exploring the French countryside together?
Our Love for Rhône Wines
Our journey with Rhône wines began in 2000 when we planted Syrah on our estate vineyard in the heart of Dry Creek Valley. At the time, 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.
But instead of fading away, Syrah became a cornerstone of our winemaking journey. Our guests fell in love with its rich character, leading us to explore other Rhône varieties. By the 2012 harvest, we had all three classic GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) grapes in our vineyard, paving the way for our first blend—Tres.
Tres quickly became a favorite, especially for Mike, my late husband and co-founder. Winemaker Ashley encouraged us to embrace blending rather than focusing solely on single-varietal wines, and Tres became a beloved addition to our lineup.
The Sparkling Wine Connection
Sparkling wines hold a special place in our hearts, and today, Amista is recognized as the sparkling wine house in Dry Creek Valley, offering a half dozen different sparkling wines, a sparkling wine club, and a dedicated sparkling wine tasting flight.
But becoming the first sparkling winery in Healdsburg wasn’t part of our original plan. It all began with a happy accident in 2005 when Mike’s enthusiasm for machine-harvesting led to an unexpected surplus of Syrah grapes. To prevent overflow during fermentation, he set aside 200 gallons in neutral barrels. A few months later, we tasted what had become an accidental Rosé of Syrah—and we were hooked.
From a Class Project to a Sparkling Legacy
Two years later, our winemaker at the time asked to use some of our Rosé of Syrah for a class he was teaching at the local junior college. He wanted to show students how to craft sparkling wine using the méthode traditionnelle, the same technique used for Champagne. We agreed—on one condition: we had to taste the final product.
When we did, we knew we had to make more. In 2008, we produced our first sparkling Rosé of Syrah, debuting the following year at our first Sparkling Holidays party. That night, Mike started a tradition by sabering open the first bottle.
Blanc de Blanc and Beyond
Our next sparkling adventure began in 2011 when Ashley joined us as winemaker. One day in the vineyard, I asked if she thought we could make a Blanc de Blanc from our Chardonnay grapes. Although she had never made sparkling wine before, Ashley—a fellow bubbles enthusiast—immediately said, “Absolutely.”
That fall, we harvested Chardonnay for our first Blanc de Blanc. When we released it in 2013, it scored 91 points and won a gold medal in the Press Democrat’s Best of the Best North Coast Wine Challenge. It remains my personal favorite to this day.
Cheers to a Sparkling Collection
The combination of personal joy and public recognition fueled our desire to expand our sparkling program. Today, we have seven sparkling wines in our collection. While I love the wines themselves, what I cherish even more is the serendipitous journey that brought us here—the unexpected twists and turns that have shaped Amista over the last two decades.
The Joy of Wine and Community
Our last cruise on the Danube showed us the magic of spending seven days with people who share a passion for great wine, beautiful food, travel, and community. While the breathtaking scenery, rich culture, and delicious cuisine were unforgettable, it was the relationships we deepened—and the new ones we formed—that made the cruise truly extraordinary.
Years later, those of us who shared that magical Danube Wine Cruise still reminisce about the experiences, friendships, and memories we made. It wasn’t just a trip; it was a celebration of life, connection, and community—proof that wine has the power to bring people together in the most meaningful ways.
Join Us on This French Adventure
With our deep love for Rhône and sparkling wines, our passion for winemaking, and our commitment to fostering connections, this Paris-to-Normandy wine cruise feels like a natural extension of our story. We invite you to join us on this unforgettable journey, where we’ll explore the wines, traditions, and culture that have inspired Amista Vineyards from the very beginning.
Let’s raise a glass to friendship, adventure, and the joy of wine. À bientôt!
Get the details: Wine Cruise – Paris to Normandy, June 2026