Bubbles

Where to Taste Sparkling Wine in Los Olivos – and get dessert!

December 16, 2017 By calicoastblog 1 Comment

Did you know there are over 50 sparkling wine producers in Santa Barbara County? 10 of those are located in the charming, historic town of Los Olivos, with many businesses open on New Year’s Day.

Not all of these local champagnes are available all the time (with some going to club members only), so we’ve compiled a list of those you can taste or buy now.

The Bubble Shack

This is Fess Parker’s all bubbly, all the time tasting room with 3 sparklers on their tasting menu and a special holiday deal on 3-packs. Open Friday – Monday only.

Blanc De Noirs: “The delicate, persistent bubbles and straw color with a hint of salmon are harbingers of great things to come. You will detect hints of brioche, ginger and lemon rind on the nose. The palate offers up gorgeous citrus and tangerine flavors tempered by mineral notes and a delicious yeasty/pastry dough element as a result of extended time laying en tirage.”

Brut Rosé: “The 2015 Fesstivity Brut Rosé makes an impression with generous aromas of pink grapefruit, raspberry, passion fruit and a hint of orange zest. Bright flavors of citrus/grapefruit, vanilla, raspberry and cranberry are present on the pleasantly tangy palate and the finish lingers with a nice, quenching acidity.”

Sparkling Grenache: “Our 2015 Sibling Bubblery is surprisingly refreshing despite its dark ruby color. Aromas of cranberry, red plum and baking spice are what you will encounter on the nose of this sparkling Grenache. The palate is loaded with juicy flavors of red plum and black raspberry made more delicious due to a hint of cinnamon. While Grenache is an unusual choice of varietal for a sparkling wine we can assure you that you will be better off for having put your preconceived notions aside and trying it. Enjoy!”

Blair Fox

This rosé of Grenache is crisp and fruity; just ask and they will pour you a taste!

From Blair: “The 2014 Foxy Bubbles were disgorged, capped and labeled the last week of December 2016 of this year after resting in bins on their secondary fermentation lees for over twenty months. The lees add complexity and give the sparkling Grenache rosé a nice biscuity aroma and flavor to go along with the beautiful fruit flavors of strawberry, cranberry and raspberry. Every bottle has been touched at least 10 times from bottling, riddling and disgorging!”

Community Craft

Community Craft doesn’t make its own sparkling wine, but it carries local cult favorites Flying Goat (Goat Bubbles), Solminer and Combe Pét’Nat (from the Trousseau grape, a join project between Rajat Parr and Pete Stolpman).

Note: Pétillant Naturel, or Pét-Nat, is an even more ancient way to make sparkling wine than the widely-used méthod traditionelle or méthod champenoise originated in Champagne, France. In the méthod ancestral, the wine is bottle before it even finishes its first fermentation, so developing carbon dioxide as it goes. It’s not disgorged and often unfiltered.

Coquelicot

Sparkling Riesling from Coquelicot is coming soon – this summer, 2018!

Dreamcôte

In addition to still wine and hard cider, this effort from Brittany Zotovich also includes bubbles: “Desert Flower” Sparkling Verdejo 32 (another Pét-Nat sparkling wine).

From Brittany: “Passion fruit, white peach, saison, poached pineapple, and melon. This is our second ever “Pét nat”! Pétillant Naturel is a wine that is bottled before it has fully finished fermenting and sealed with a screw cap. The wine continues to ferment, building pressure with the conversion of sugar to alcohol and C02 resulting in some pretty awesome BUBBLES.”

E11even Wine

This is a classic blanc de blanc from winemaker Andrew Murray, with glasses or bottles for purchase at either location, sparkling tasting only at the E11even tasting room in Los Olivos.

From Andrew: “Our sparkling wine is crafted in the age-old Méthode-Champenoise style. This Blanc de Blanc Bubbly is 100% Chardonnay has aromas of toasty brioche, citrus, and tropical notes, with a balanced, yet bracing, natural acidity and a very fine mousse.”

Roblar

At Roblar, you can taste both the classic Sparkling Blanc de Blancs (Pinot Blanc) and Sparkling Rosé (Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc), and buy them by the glass or bottle.

From Roblar: “Roblar extra dry sparkling wine is crafted from grapes grown at the Michel-Schlumberger Benchland Estate Vineyard in Sonoma County. This sparkling wine was produced by inducing in-bottle secondary fermentation and a minimum of 12 months of aging using the traditional méthode champenoise to create the tiny bubbles and complex flavors. It will continue to develop as it ages.”

Solminer

Solminer only does private-tastings in the home of the winemaker overlooking the gorgeous vineyard, right in Los Olivos. It is one of the greatest pleasures in wine tasting in this town, and you must be a club member or make an appointment.

“Nebullite” Sparkling Syrah: “Whether there is a new star forming or simply a family holiday, certainly a champagne glass filled with the swirling, fizzing cosmos of red sparkling Syrah is intriguing and worthy of any celebration, large or small.”

Vincent

Vincent has a very dry Blanc de Blancs-style Brut bubbly made from 100% Chardonnay. It is available by the glass and if you ask for a taste, you’ll probably get one. Vincent is also open on New Year’s Day.

Zinke Wine Co.

Zinke has a fun sparkler from sister label Friend & Foe. It’s great for a large toast with pals, or even to make some simple sparkling wine cocktails!

See map of all Santa Barbara County sparkling wine producers here.

Desserts in Los Olivos

What better to eat with sparkling wine than desserts? Here are the best desserts in Los Olivos:

Stafford’s Chocolates – These chocolates and confections are handmade daily and blend in nuts and flavors grown locally in the San Joaquin and Santa Ynez Valleys. Try their mouth-watering truffles, caramels, English toffees, creams, and countless delectable, and adorable, chocolates.
Enjoy Cupcakes – these cupcakes are made daily, some with wine right in the frosting! Buy a 6-pack sampler of mini cupcakes at Saarloos & Sons to try them all! Flavor examples are Chocolate Blackberry Syrah, Lemon Lime Chardonnay, Black Bottom, Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee, S’mores and Candied Pecan Toffee Banana Fosters.
Sorbet from Sides Hardware & Shoes – all the desserts at Sides are really good, but the sorbet is truly amazing, especially the dark chocolate sorbet that you may have to ask for by name.

San Luis Obispo & Paso Robles Sparkling Wine Map: a Champagne Lover’s Guide

May 5, 2017 By calicoastblog 2 Comments

First-ever San Luis Obispo & Paso Robles Sparkling Wine Map: Where to Get Local Bubbles

It’s known by many names: Champagne, Bubbly, Sparkling Wine, Cava, Champers & Bubbles. California Sparkling Wine can’t be called Champagne — it’s not from the Champagne region of France — but it’s made in the same methode traditionelle, or method champenoise, used in Champagne. But San Luis Obispo’s “champagne” is also delicious…and it’s local!

Download the San Luis Obispo & Paso Robles Sparkling Wine Map here.

San Luis Obispo county has over 30 sparkling wine producers, from Paso Robles wine country to the wine trail right around San Luis Obispo itself and even in Morro Bay. Champagne from France is made only of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, but sparkling wine can be made out of almost any grape. San Luis Obispo county has a large range of sparkling wine producers from the French classics at Laetitia Vineyard & Winery to Italian Proseccos and sparklers from San Antonio Winery. There’s even a sparkling Viognier, a sparkling Marsanne and a sparkling Grenache.

Now you can use the San Luis Obispo Sparkling Wine Map for you to find them all: which local wineries make sparkling wine, and most important, where you can taste. Some producers don’t make enough quantity to have bubbles on a regular tasting list, but you can always ask at the winery. If they have some bubbles available; they’re likely to pour them for you. And if you like the producer’s white wines, you’ll probably like their Sparkling Wine.

Paso Robles is a large area, so make sure you pick up a Paso Robles winery map before heading out to taste some bubbly. In San Luis Obispo wine country, you can hit all the producers in one day, but it’s nearly impossible in Paso Robles.

Download the SLO County Sparkling Wine Map here.

Contact me if you’d like copies for your tasting room!

Santa Barbara County Sparkling Wine Map: a Champagne Lover’s Guide

May 5, 2017 By calicoastblog 14 Comments

First-ever Santa Barbara County Sparkling Wine Map: Where to Get Local Bubbles

It’s known by many names: Champagne, Sparkling Wine, Bubbly, Bubbles, Cava or Champers. California Sparkling Wine can’t be called Champagne — it’s not from the Champagne region of France — but it’s made in the same methode traditionelle, or method champenoise, used in Champagne. But Santa Barbara’s “champagne” is also delicious…and it’s local!

Santa Barbara county has perfect conditions and grapes to make high-quality Sparkling Wine. Santa Barbara county is one of the world’s premier growing regions for Chardonnay & Pinot Noir – 2 of the main grapes in traditional Champagne. And lucky for us, there are more than 40 Sparkling Wine producers in the county trying their hand at it.

Now you can use the Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine Map for you to find them all. Many producers don’t make enough quantity to have bubbles on a regular tasting list, but you can always ask at the winery. If they have some bubbles available; they’re likely to pour them for you. A good guideline: if you like the winery’s white wines, you’ll probably like their Sparkling Wine.

You’ll find Sparkling wine in Santa Barbara, Summerland, Los Olivos, Solvang, Santa Ynez, Buellton, Lompoc, Santa Maria Valley and Los Alamos, with more on the way. Even wineries without tasting rooms and getting into the bubbles business – the online-only producers are from some of the county’s highest-rated winemakers.

Download the Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine Map.

Contact me if you’d like copies for your tasting room!

12 Days of Sparkling Wine: Central Coast Local Bubbles!

December 14, 2016 By calicoastblog 3 Comments

We have so many amazing sparkling wines right here on the central coast, there’s no need to look further afield for New Year’s Eve bubbles. With about 30 sparkling wine makers in Santa Barbara county and about 20 in San Luis Obispo county, this coastal region in California can really stand up to real Champagne. Below is my list of 12 of my favorite sparklers:

1. Brewer-Clifton – Blanc de Blancs

One of the oldest sparkling wines on the central coast, the first-ever release from Brewer-Clifton was actually a Sparkling Wine in 1993. They then stopped making it to focus on Pinot Noir, until 2010 when they decided to bring it back. And we’re so glad they did! This 100% Chardonnay from a Sta. Rita Hills estate vineyard (3-D) drinks much like a classic Blanc de Blancs from the Champagne region of France. It’s perfect for the Champagne snob, who’s also a little geeky about wineries with a small-production focus. But get it quick! They’re almost sold out (it’s for mailing list customers only) and they’re not making more.

2. Laetitia – 7 different sparkling wines!

Laetitia has a heritage going back to the early 80s, when their wine was produced under Maison Deutz, a Champagne maker in France. Since 1997, Laetitia Vineyards & Winery has been the Grand Dame of sparkling wine on the central coast, now with 7 different bottlings. From their classic Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noir styles, as well as a sparkling rosé and more yeasty styles, you’re sure to find something for everyone. These wines can be tasted every day in their tasting room and they also have a Sparkling Wine club. Perfect for anyone who loves bubbles. Laetitia photo by Toki Lee.

3. Flying Goat – Goat Bubbles

Flying Goat Cellars has a long history of quality Pinot Noir, and they’ve been hand-riddling, disgorging and bottling sparkling wine since 2005. Currently, they have a lineup of 5 sparkling wine classics of Goat Bubbles: Rosé (a fruity Pinot Noir), Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay), Blanc de Noirs (Pinot Noir), Brut Cuveé (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) and Crémant (a tart fruit Pinot Blanc). These sparklers can be tasted at their Bubbles Bar every weekend in Lompoc. Another small-production winery creating each bottle by hand, with a perfect lineup expressing each style of Champagne. Perfect for the slightly irreverent sparkling wine lover.

4. Riverbench – Cork Jumper

In Santa Barbara county, the only place to taste a flight of sparkling wine every day is Riverbench Winery‘s tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara. They make 3 different sparklers: Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noir (a rosé) and a semi-sweet Blanc de Blancs. From their Santa Maria-focused Chardonnay and Pinot Noir program to their certified sustainable farming practices, the quality here is really high. Perfect for Burgundy (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) lovers.

5. Sea Smoke – Sea Spray

Sea Smoke is renowned for their Pinot Noir in a cultish way. Their sparkling wine is the most expensive on this list, and can also be hard to come by as they sell wines exclusively to their allocation list and some retail. I found a bottle in Santa Barbara, and was charmed when I finally opened it. It has the smallest, finest bubbles and a wonderful yeasty, classic Champagne taste. Perfect for the Champagne snob you need to impress. (Or for a super-special wedding!)

6. Palmina – Lumina

Palmina Winery makes some of the best Italian wines outside of Italy. Winemaker Steve Clifton makes much of the wine you might be enjoying under other labels including many restaurants. Lumina is made from the dark, tannic Nebbiolo grape and makes a surprisingly elegant sparkling rosé with lots of flavor and structure. They also make a sparkling Malvasia Bianca (more aromatic and floral) and a sparkling Barbera (red, fruity bubbles). These are perfect for the Italian wine lover.

7. Derby – Brut Rosé

Derby Wine Estates in Paso Robles makes a variety of interesting, refreshing varietal wines and blends. The family got their start growing grapes in 1998, gaining the farming knowledge needed to make great wines. 10 years later, they launched their own label. Now located in the historic Almond Growers Association building, they continue to create high-quality wines and a lovely pink sparkling wine made of Pinot Noir. Perfect for the Paso wine lover or pink bubbles lover.

8. Cass – Sparkling Marsanne

Cass Winery makes estate wines from French Rhone grapes in the Paso Robles area, just east of the Templeton gap. The cooling breezes on the west side of Paso are what make the grapes grow in a similar fashion to the Rhone, varietals like Viogner, Marsanne, Rousanne, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. The sparkling wine is made from Marsanne, with acidity, toast, citrus and melon. Perfect for the Rhone wine lover.

9. Kessler-Haak – Brut & Brut Rosé

A winery born out of the love of wine, Kessler-Haak started as a backyard operation. Now farming 2.5 acres in the Sta. Rita Hills, Kessler-Haak produces a quality Chardonnay, several Pinot Noirs, a dry Riesling and a Syrah. They also recently opened a tasting room in Lompoc where you can find their Brut (made in Blanc de Blancs style) and Brut Rosé (made in Blanc de Noir style), both paired with a jazz CD. Perfect for the jazz lover or Sta. Rita Hills wine aficionado.

10. Clavo – Corazón

Clavo Cellars specializes in single-varietal, bold wines in Templeton (near Paso Robles) and makes this sparkling wine from Grenache. But it’s surprising for a Grenache: this sparkler is the dryest on this list! Made with no sugar/dosage added, it reminds me of an Extra Brut Champagne. It’s supremely refreshing. Plus, the winery donates $1 of every bottle sold to cancer research. Perfect for those who want to give back and really love extra-dry bubbles.

11. Mosby – Stelline de Cortese

Mosby Winery focuses on Italian varietals and have an extremely impressive lineup. Most wines are made in Santa Barbara county (just outside of Buellton), but some are made in Italy and shipped over. They have 2 sparkling wines: California bubbles made from Cortese and Italian sparklers made from Erbaluce and Vernaccia. All are delicious, but the Stelline di Cortese is the local one, and it’s a real steal. It’s best wine for the price, and reminds me of a real Prosecco, so I can drink it every day. Perfect for the Prosecco lover.

12. Carmody-McKnight – Pomegranate Cuvée

If you love sweet Champagnes and sparkling wine like Asti, you’ll love Carmody-McKnight‘s Pomegranate Cuvée. Making estate wines in Paso Robles for over 25 years, they make a traditional sparkling cuvée with grapes grown on chalky soil (like in Champagne) and age it in the bottle for up to 10 years. In the meantime, they wanted something bubbly to drink! Pomegranate Cuvée was born, made from the original sparkling cuvée mixed with pomegranate. Soon, a citurs honeysuckle cuvée will be available. Perfect for those who love sweet sparkling wine or dessert wine.

Goat Bubbles: Santa Barbara’s OG of Sparkling Wine

December 2, 2016 By calicoastblog Leave a Comment

One of the original sparkling wine makers in Santa Barbara county using the traditional method to make bubbles — méthode champenoise — was Flying Goat Cellars. Norm Yost and Kate Griffith have been picking early, fermenting grapes, providing the proper environment for a second fermentation in the bottle and disgorging in the Lompoc wine ghetto since 2005. Flying Goat is one of the few bubbles producers in the county to master handcrafting sparkling wine at its own facility, where every step of production is done in-house.

Norm’s been a Pinot Noir maker, drinker and fanatic since landing in the Santa Ynez Valley in 1979. But for him, the Sta. Rita Hills‘ and Santa Maria Valley’s high acidity, low sugars, and great flavors were perfect for sparkling wine.

Flying Goat is the first to open a Bubbles Bar in their tasting room, where you can taste all 5 of their stellar sparkling wines. Sounds like you need a road trip!

Goat Bubbles:

Rosé (a fruity Pinot Noir)
Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay)
Blanc de Noirs (Pinot Noir)
Brut Cuveé (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay)
Crémant (a tart fruit Pinot Blanc)

Laetitia Sparkling Wine: New Year’s Eve Grand Dame

December 31, 2015 By calicoastblog Leave a Comment

Laetitia Vineyards & Winery in Arroyo Grande has a sparkling wine heritage going back to the early 80s, when it was produced at the same location by Maison Deutz, a Champagne maker in France. Since taking it over in 1997, Laetitia has been the Grand Dame of sparkling wine on the central coast, now with 7 different sparkling bottlings! Just in time for New Year’s Eve!

In fact, I picked up my 4 bubblies this week from their Sparkling Club: Brut Rosé, Brut de Blancs, Cuvée M (92 points, International Wine Review) and Brut Coquard (92 points, International Wine Review). Some have notes of fruit, some lemon zest, hazelnuts, toasty and brioche-ey, though nearly all the sparkling wine here is dry, or Brut. (The Cuvée XD has some sweetness, but the other 6 varieties of sparkling wine are gloriously dry and zesty). Perfect for the quintessential sparkling-wine lover and her quintessential holiday: New Year’s Eve.

Check out the 12 Days of Bubbles—all made right here on California’s Central Coast. In fact, the Central Coast has more than 50 makers of Sparkling Wine!

So pop those bottles carefully—or saber it if you learned how at Laetitia’s BubblyFest Excursion-ar this past October—and share some bubbles with those you love tonight. Or every night.