7 Reasons Why Amista is Dog Friendly

7 Adorable Shelties…

 

…and the  Amista wines they exemplify.

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.

 

Did you know Amista is dog friendly? For many of our guests, this is a highlight—bringing their best furry friends to relax among the vines while sipping our handcrafted red, white, and sparkling wines.

But for us, it’s more than just being dog friendly. It’s personal. Over the years, we’ve shared our lives with seven wonderful Shetland Sheepdogs—affectionately known as Shelties. Each has left a pawprint on our hearts and inspired our connection to the special bond between humans and dogs.

So, meet the Shelties who have shaped our days and discover the wines that embody their unique personalities!
 

1. Mickey – Our First Sheltie

Mickey came into our lives unexpectedly. A colleague of my late husband Mike, needed a home for a dog he couldn’t keep, and we couldn’t resist. Mickey was about a year old, sensitive, loyal, and intelligent—the classic Sheltie personality. He also introduced us to their well-known tendency to bark, sometimes a little too enthusiastically!

Mickey’s arrival marked the beginning of our love affair with this remarkable breed.

The Wine: Mickey earns the honor of being paired with our Syrah, the first wine Mike ever made for Amista—a fitting tribute to our beginnings.
 

2. MacDuff – A Pal for Mickey

With both Mike and me working long hours, we realized Mickey needed company. Enter MacDuff! This charming little Sheltie shared Mickey’s Sable coloring and quickly became his partner-in-crime.

The Wine: MacDuff’s lighter personality best matches our Grenache, a Rhône variety similar to Syrah but with a softer touch.
 

3. Casey – An Adventurous Companion

Casey was our first tri color Sheltie and quickly became Mickey’s new sidekick after we said goodbye to MacDuff. Casey loved exploring the woods around our home in New Jersey, often returning with that unmistakable sparkle of mischief in his eyes.

The Wine: Casey’s three colors and adventurous spirit are captured by Tres, a bold blend of three Rhône varieties: Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre.
 

4. Finnegan – Jumping for Joy

When we moved to Verdi, Nevada, Casey needed a new playmate, and Finnegan came bounding into our lives. His bubbly energy, love for leaping, and fascination with lawn sprinklers brought endless joy to our home.

The Wine: Finnegan’s effervescence shines in the Amista Sparkling Syrah rosé, our most robust sparkling wine—perfect for his spirited personality.
 

5. MacGregor (Mac) – The Resilient Soul

Mac’s story is one of resilience and redemption. At 13 years old, he came to us through Sheltie Rescue after enduring years of neglect. Tiny, nearly toothless, deaf, and fearful of the world, Mac slowly found solace in our gentle care. With patience and love, he transformed into a trusting, cherished member of our family, blessing us with four unforgettable years.

The Wine: Mac’s quiet strength and unexpected blossoming remind us of our Estate Chardonnay - a variety we hadn’t planned to make but has since become a cornerstone, featured in five of our wines.
 

6. Torin – The Independent Spirit

We brought Torin home as a puppy from Orland, California. A winding drive made for a messy (and memorable!) journey, but his strong, independent personality makes him unforgettable.

The Wine: Torin's coloring and character mirror our Sparkling Tres, a rosé blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Both are unusual, complex and full of pleasant surprises.
 

7. Dylan – A Bundle of Love

After saying goodbye to Finnegan, Torin needed a new puppy to boss around. Dylan entered our lives as the perfect balance—cuddly, affectionate, and endlessly playful.

The Wine: Dylan’s bright, lively nature makes him the ideal match for our Sparkling Blanc de Blanc, a wine that brings happiness to every moment.

At Amista, we don’t just welcome dogs—we celebrate them. Our Shelties remind us of the special connection between a dog and their human, and we’re thrilled to see that bond shared here at the winery. So, the next time you visit, bring your furry friend. We’d love to meet them!

Cheers to dogs, wine, and the joy they bring into our lives!

 

 

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.

 

 

Blanc 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