The Sparkling Women of Sonoma

Saluting Women Owners and Winemakers of Today…

…and the pioneering Champagne women who paved the way.

You might be surprised to learn that Sonoma wine country is home to a dozen wineries with a special focus on sparkling wines, each crafting a collection of bubblies and offering dedicated sparkling wine tastings. Amista is proud to be among them!

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we're raising a glass to the remarkable women behind six of these sparkling houses—either as owners or winemakers. These talented women are shaping the future of sparkling wine in Sonoma, just as pioneering women did in Champagne centuries ago.

Amista Vineyards, Vicky Farrow, Owner

 

Amista Vineyards, Ashley Herzberg, Winemaker

 

Breathless Sparkling Wines, Sharon Cohn, Rebecca Faust & Cynthia Faust, Owners

 

Breathless Sparkling Wines, Penny Gadd-Coster, Winemaker

 

Cast Wines, Ashley Herzberg, Winemaker

 

Iron Horse Vineyards – Joy Sterling, Owner

 

J Vineyards & Winery – Nicole Hitchcock, Winemaker

 

Korbel Champagne Cellars – Erica Mandl, Winemaker

It’s inspiring to see these accomplished women leading the charge in Sonoma’s sparkling wine scene. Their passion, craftsmanship, and dedication remind me of the pioneering women who transformed Champagne and left an indelible mark on the world of sparkling wine.

Trailblazing Women of Champagne

Madame Clicquot (Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin). At just 27, she took over Veuve Clicquot after her husband's passing. She revolutionized Champagne by inventing the riddling table, creating the first vintage Champagne, and pioneering the first rosé by blending white and red wines.

Louise Pommery. In 1858 she took over Pommery following the death of her husband. She created Pommery Nature in 1874, introducing the world to brut Champagne, breaking the tradition of sweet Champagnes and transforming the style into the crisp, dry expression we love today.

Lily Bollinger. Following the death of her husband in 1941, she assumed the reins of Champagne Bollinger, leading the house for 30 years. She developed the “recently disgorged” method, allowing Champagne to age longer on the lees for a richer, more complex flavor.

If you’re as fascinated by these trailblazers as I am, I suggest the biography The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It by Tilar Mazzeo.

Stories of the Champagne Widows

I am also enjoying the pleasure of collaborating on Sparkling Discoveries with novelist Rebecca Rosenberg, who has written a captivating historical fiction series on all three Champagne widows, bringing these extraordinary women to life. 

 

• Champagne Widows: First Woman of Champagne, Veuve Clicquot
• Madame Pommery: Creator of Brut Champagne
• Look out for the third book in the series, featuring Lily Bollinger, coming later this year!

Here’s to the women—past and present—who make the world of sparkling wine shine!

 

 

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

 

 

10 Years of Stunning Vineyard Views

Amista Vineyards in March…

…as the buds begin to break and the vineyard begins to sparkle!

One of the most precious things about living and working in the midst of a vineyard is witnessing the ever-changing splendor of the seasons. It’s easy to take it for granted—until a friend visits and sees it with fresh eyes. My dear friend Miriam, who visits often from my home state of Colorado, never fails to remind me of the magic. Every time she steps onto the back porch, she opens her arms wide, takes in the view, and simply says, “This. This.”

After the rains of winter, the vineyard starts to come alive in March with its multiple shades of green, bright yellow mustard, iridescent rainbows and glorioius blossoms. As we get ready to turn the page from February to March, I’d like to share some images from over the last ten years at Amista Vineyards.

Amista Vineyards in First Morning Light

2015

Bud Break at Amista Vineyards

2016

Mustard Among the Vines in Dry Creek Valley

2017

A Stunning Sunset over Amista Vineyards

2018

Springtime Brings Rainbows to Dry Creek Valley

2019

Amista Wine Dog Torin Prancing through the Spring Flowers

2020

A Blustery March Day in Sonoma Wine Country

2021

The First Winemaker’s Garden at Amista Vineyards

2022

Cherry Blossoms in Dry Creek Wine Country

2023

After a Sparkling Spring Rain at Amista Vineyards

2024

Looking back at these moments from the past ten years, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to call this place home. The vineyard is never the same from one season—or even one day—to the next, and that’s part of its magic. As March unfolds once again, bringing fresh greens, golden mustard, and the promise of another growing season, I’m grateful for the beauty that surrounds me and for the many friends like Miriam who remind me to pause and take it all in. I hope these images bring a little of that magic to you as well.