Sparkling Moments in Wine
I have been asked lots of questions about owning a winery after spending so many years in the corporate world. Here are some of the stories of my journey into wine that have added sparkling moments to my life.
Amista Danube Wine Cruise
A Journey to Treasure…
…magic, community and connection.
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, I'm excited to share a series of short weekly posts that take you behind the scenes, revealing memorable moments that have shaped our journey at Amista Vineyards.
Imagine standing on the deck of a river cruise ship on a crisp fall evening, gliding along the Danube through the heart of Budapest. Glittering city lights dance on the water, and a sense of wonder fills the air.
That’s the magic Mike and I experienced during our unforgettable Danube wine cruise. Let me share the three things that made this journey truly special.
Priceless Moments
This was Mike’s and my first cruise—and, though we didn’t know it then, it would also be his last. Mike, my late husband, wasn’t always enthusiastic about traveling but would end up having the time of his life. That cruise was no exception.
One of the highlights was hosting an Amista wine dinner on the ship. Mike beamed with pride, sitting at the head table, chatting with the chef about cooking techniques, and watching winemaker Ashley present our wines to an engaged audience.
Later in the lounge, guests approached Mike to ask about the wines and how he had brought his winemaking dream to life. He was touched, even if he wouldn’t admit it outright.
In those moments, I could see how much it meant to him that we had built Amista together from nothing—a shared dream turned reality.
Precious Relationships
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.
My mother and stepfather, both in their late eighties at the time, joined us on the cruise. It was my mom’s first trip to Europe, and she embraced every moment.
From excursions to events, she didn’t miss a thing. Watching her and my stepfather dance in the lounge after our Amista wine dinner was pure joy.
One of my favorite memories was our girls’ night out in Vienna, where we attended a concert in a stunning palace.
We also met Marge and George, who were part of a lively group in the dining room. Their warmth and humor drew us in, and we quickly became fast friends. Our shared love of cooking, wine, and laughter has kept us close ever since.
After the cruise, Doug and Tamara, our gracious trip hosts from Expedia Wine Cruises, invited us to join them on their drive to Prague. Along the way, they arranged a fascinating visit to a Budweiser brewery.
In Prague, we met up with dear friends from Europe—Bertram, Traudl, and their daughter Anina, who had flown in from Germany and Belgium to spend time with us. These friendships, some decades old, were renewed and deepened during those precious few days.
The Spirit of Community
The sense of community that blossomed on this cruise was a delightful surprise. Organized by our local wine association, the cruise included six wineries, each hosting winemaker dinners.
Despite representing different wineries, we all gathered in the same dining room each night, creating a shared space where conversations flowed and friendships flourished over great food and wine.
Even though the other winery owners and I live and work in the small Dry Creek Valley, we rarely have time to connect socially. This cruise gave us the chance to bond, not just as colleagues but as friends.
Beyond the wineries, the spirit of community extended to our wine club members from across the country. Seeing them connect with one another, share stories, and cheer us on during the winemaker dinner was heartwarming.
One evening, we gathered for a private toast and wine tasting at the Captain’s Table, a moment that encapsulated the friendly, welcoming essence of Amista.
A Journey to Cherish
Years later, those of us who shared this 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.
If only I could bottle the magic of that brisk fall evening on the Danube with Mike, surrounded by glittering lights and warm laughter. It’s a memory I’ll hold close forever.
Nov 14, 2024 at 8:00 AM
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Be the first to comment on this postBlanc de Blancs
The Story Behind My Favorite Bubbly and…
…three fascinating secrets.
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, I'm excited to share a series of short weekly posts that take you behind the scenes, revealing memorable moments that have shaped our journey at Amista Vineyards.
Sparkling wines hold a special place in the heart of Amista Vineyards, and one of our most beloved creations is our Blanc de Blanc. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how this signature bubbly came to life and the unique details that make it truly one-of-a-kind.
1. Winemaker Ashley’s First Sparkling Adventure
In 2011, Ashley Herzberg joined Amista as our winemaker. By then, we had already been crafting a Sparkling Syrah since 2008, thanks to a creative spark from my late husband, Mike, who was also our first winemaker. While I loved the Syrah, my dream was to see a Blanc de Blanc—my personal favorite—added to our lineup.
Ashley and I were standing in our Chardonnay vineyard just months after she joined the team, and the idea struck: Could we create a sparkling wine from these very grapes? To this day, we both claim credit for the idea, but perhaps it was a shared vision born from our mutual love of bubbles. Ashley, undaunted by the challenge of crafting her first sparkling wine, immediately said, “Yes, we can!”
That fall, we harvested 3.25 tons of Chardonnay grapes, producing 214 cases of what would become our first Blanc de Blanc—a crisp and refreshing wine that continues to delight us and our community.
2. Blanc de Blanc…or Blanc de Blancs?
If you’ve ever enjoyed a sparkling wine labeled Blanc de Blancs, you may have wondered about the difference in our naming. While the traditional French term is plural, meaning "white from whites," our label simply says Blanc de Blanc - “white from white.”
Here’s how it happened: I loved Blanc de Blancs from a well-known Northern California sparkling house but hadn’t paid close attention to the plural spelling on the label. Two years after releasing our first vintage, a host on a live radio show asked me about our choice of the singular term. He may have noticed the surprised look on my face because he offered, “Is it because it is made from a single white grape variety?” And I said, “Yes, that’s exactly right.”
While my reaction was spontaneous, it turned out to be accurate. Nearly all Blanc de Blancs are made from 100% Chardonnay, as is ours. We’ve kept the name Blanc de Blanc ever since—and while the singular term remains rare, we’re proud to have embraced this unique twist. Who knows? Perhaps we’ve even started a trend.
3. Non-Vintage Labels, Vintage Roots
Another common question we hear is: Why are your sparkling wines labeled non-vintage if they’re all harvested from a single year?
The answer lies in the aging process. At Amista, we craft our sparkling wines to be vibrant and fresh, with aging periods of 12 to 18 months before disgorging. This timeline contrasts with Champagne’s strict requirement of at least three years of aging for vintage designation. While no such regulations apply in the U.S., we choose to follow the spirit of this tradition by refraining from vintage dating.
Interestingly, most non-vintage sparkling wines are blends of several years, designed for consistency. By contrast, each of our sparkling wines reflects the unique climate and character of the harvest year. The result? A true vintage wine in every sense—except for the label.
A Celebration in Every Glass
Our Blanc de Blanc represents the perfect blend of passion, creativity, and commitment to quality. From its serendipitous beginnings in our Chardonnay vineyard to its distinctive name and aging process, every bottle tells a story.
Raise a glass of Amista Blanc de Blanc, and celebrate not just a wine, but the joy of discovery and the shared love of bubbles that brought it to life. Cheers!
Still Thirsty?
If you want to learn more, here is a curated list of resources.
What Does ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Mean in Wine?
The Difference Between Multi-Vintage and Nonvintage Champagnes
Why Rhônes at Amista Vineyards?
The Story of Our Rhône Journey…
…and the spirit that shaped Amista.
As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, I'm excited to share a series of short weekly posts that take you behind the scenes, revealing memorable moments that have shaped our journey at Amista Vineyards.
Que Será, Será
This phrase, “what will be, will be,” captures the spirit of why we planted our first Syrah vines in the year 2000 in our recently acquired vineyards in Dry Creek Valley, just outside the charming town of Healdsburg. We’re not really sure why we planted Syrah, a Rhône variety, except it was being hailed as the “next big thing,” and we were eager to be part of its rise. Little did we know that shortly after planting, the movie Sideways would hit the screen, catapulting Pinot Noir into the spotlight and nudging Syrah offstage.
"Garage Syrah"
Undaunted by this development and the fact that the Syrah vines were young, Mike, my late husband and co-founder, saw their potential. Typically, a vineyard in its second year would drop its grapes, letting the vines strengthen without the demands of producing a crop. But Mike, eager to revive his love for winemaking that began nearly a decade earlier in our Silicon Valley home, had other plans. In 2002, he harvested three tons of Syrah from those young vines, and with the help of neighbors, family, and friends from Munich and Denver, he made our first wine in our garage. We fondly called it “Garage Syrah.”
The Launch of Amista
Garage Syrah was never meant for sale—it was a hobby, a chance to share something personal with our friends. But every time they came to taste it, they wanted more and kept asking when they could buy a bottle. Their encouragement gave us the nudge to consider making wine for others, and in 2004, Amista Vineyards was born. That initial Syrah, with all its humble beginnings, had woven a path for us into the world of Rhône wines.
Our Love for Rhônes Grows
While Syrah didn’t skyrocket to fame as expected, it became a cornerstone of our winemaking journey. We—and eventually our guests and members—fell in love with it. Over time, we began exploring other Rhône varieties, all thanks to that “gateway grape” of Syrah.
Expanding Our Rhône Collection
In 2011, we decided it was time to diversify. We were eager to experiment with more Rhône varieties but didn’t want to uproot our established Syrah vines. So, we opted for a grafting method called T-budding, placing buds of new varieties into small cuts on the existing vines. This way, we could grow new varieties—Grenache and Mourvèdre—without waiting the typical four years for the vines to mature. By the 2012 harvest, we had our first Grenache and Mourvèdre. We also created our first Rhône blend. We called it Tres, combining all three Rhône grapes: Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
The Debut of Tres and Our First Blend
Tres quickly became a hit—and Mike’s new favorite. Winemaker Ashley Herzberg, who joined us in 2011, inspired us to try our hand at blending. Having always made single-varietal wines, we were hesitant, but Ashley’s excitement for a classic GSM blend (Grenache-Syrah-Mourvèdre) won us over. What began as an experiment quickly became a cherished addition to our lineup.
The Amista Rhône Lineup Today
Today, our estate-grown Rhône wines include Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Tres, our Rhône-style blend. We also produce a Rosé de Tres, a refreshing blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. We also make a unique collection of sparkling Rhône wines.
Why Rhônes?
When people ask why we chose Rhône varieties, I think back to the spirit that has shaped Amista. We didn’t have a grand plan or flawless reasoning. We simply followed our instincts, letting the path unfold. Along the way, we embraced challenges, unexpected delights, and every opportunity to learn and grow. Rhône grapes continue to guide our journey, surprising and inspiring us, and, above all, allowing us to share a piece of this adventure with others.
Still Thirsty?
If you want to learn more, here is a curated list of resources.
Mourvedre — A Guide to the Basics
How do you pronounce "Mourvèdre"?
What Do We Mean When We Say Rhône-style Wine?