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You are here: Home / Archives for Champagne

Champagne

BubblyFest is Back! Nation’s Only Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival Returns

September 1, 2019 By calicoastblog Leave a Comment

BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder

This year’s event will be held on September 28 at La Lomita Ranch in San Luis Obispo, California.

 

BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz DodderThis month, the nation’s only sparkling wine & Champagne festival returns to San Luis Obispo. Yay! We can’t wait to see what this year brings.

Previous years featured seminars, dinner and jazz cocktail parties, as well as a Grand Tasting in Pismo Beach, featuring over 50 Sparkling Wineries from all over the world on the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. Check out The Bubbly page to see the wineries coming to this event.

We can’t wait!

BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder
BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder
BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder
BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder
BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder
BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder
BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder
BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder
BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder
BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder
BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder
BubblyFest - nation's only dedicated Sparkling Wine & Champagne Festival - photogarphy by Liz Dodder

Filed Under: Bubbles, San Luis Obispo county Tagged With: bubbles, bubbly, Bubbly Wine, BubblyFest, Champagne, champagne festival, champagne tasting, San Luis Obispo Sparkling Wine, Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine, sparkling wine, sparkling wine festival

Where to Taste Sparkling Wine in Los Olivos, CA

April 1, 2019 By calicoastblog 3 Comments

Los-Olivos-Sparkling-Wine-Hero

Local Santa Barbara Bubbles

By now, eating and drinking local in Santa Barbara County is easy. With our plethora of local farmers and chefs who embrace local ingredients, along with the more than 200 wineries and over 21,349 acres planted to wine grapes, you can easily find locally grown food, wine and food products to enjoy every day of the year. Now, you can include sparkling wine too!

Los-Olivos-Sparkling-Wine-grass

Sparkling wine is a labor of love for many Santa Barbara County vintners, and the number of local producers has been growing slowly and steadily over the last 10 years. Today, with the popularity of an ancestral method resulting in a sparkling wine called Pét-nat, there are over 50 producers of sparkling wine in the county, making bubbly wine available here year-round.

Pét-nat is short for pétillant naturel, or natural bubbles, and is the oldest (and easiest) way to make sparkling wine. If differs from traditional Champagne production in that the wine is bottled before the fermentation is complete (so only 1 fermentation happens, partially in the bottle), no sugar or yeast is added for a second fermentation, and it’s usually unfiltered, and can be made from a multitude of grape varieties. It also takes a much shorter time than the traditional method, meaning more winemakers can get in on the bubbly action. Pét-nat’s bubbles typically don’t last as long as traditional sparkling wine, and the flavors can be all over the map, instead of the classic style and flavor profile you get from the méthode traditionnelle.

Los-Olivos-Sparkling-Wine-wood

Los Olivos has a high concentration of these fun, fresh bubbles, as well as traditional sparkling wine, so it’s a perfect place to go bubbly tasting this Spring. Pét-nats include Carhartt’s sparkling rosé of Grenache, Dreamcôte’s 3 different pét-nats (Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Verdejo) and Solminer, also with 3 different bubblies (all certified organic and biodynamic: Riesling, rosé of Syrah and Sparkling Syrah). Some of the traditional sparklers in town are Blair Fox (also rosé made from Grenache), Coquelicot’s Sparkling Riesling, Fess Parker’s Fesstivity label (3 different sparkling wines from classic Blanc de Blancs to sparkling red Grenache plus a 30th Anniversary Magnum of sparkling Cuvée, all available at the Bubble Shack), Toretti Blanc de Noirs, and E11even Blanc de Blancs. Plus, you can also get small-lot Loubud Blanc de Noirs & Goat Bubbles from Flying Goat (some of the oldest bubbles in the County) at local wine shop Community Craft.

Find more Santa Barbara County bubbles on our local sparkling wine map, and celebrate Spring in Los Olivos: pop some local bottles!

The Bubble Shack

Fesstivity - Fess Parker Sparkling Wine in Los Olivos, CA

This is Fess Parker’s all bubbly, all the time tasting room with three different sparklers on their tasting menu (it’s only 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.”

Fesstivity Bubbles at the Bubble Shack - Santa Barbara Sparkling WineBrut Cuvée: “Benefitting from additional time en tirage, this is our most complex sparkling wine to date.”

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!”

2016 Brut Rosé also coming soon!

Blair Fox

Blair Fox Sparkling Grenache Rose - Santa Barbara Sparkling WineThis 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!”

The 2017 is coming out soon, but you can still buy older vintages now.

Community Craft

Community Craft doesn’t make its own sparkling wine, but it carries local cult favorites Flying Goat (Goat Bubbles), Loubud Blanc de Blancs, Solminer Pét-Nat 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, often unfiltered and can be made from any grape variety. 

Coquelicot

Sparkling Riesling from Coquelicot is available now! Made in the Méthode-Champenoise by hand, the wine is made from organic grapes in their Solvang vineyard.

Dreamcôte

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

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.”

Also available are 2 other Pét-Nat sparkling wines: Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, and Sparkling Riesling.

E11even Wine

E11even Sparkling Blanc de Blancs - Santa Barbara Sparkling WineThis 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. These wines are sourced and made in Sonoma County.

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 Sparkling Syrah - Santa Barbara Sparkling WineSolminer is the newest tasting room in Los Olivos, and is located at the flagpole at the center of town, in the same building at Kanea Wines (just north of the post office).

Solminer makes 3 different Pét-Nats as well. The Sparkling Rosé of Syrah is exceptionally bubbly, and has a lovely earthy and fruity flavor. Their Sparkling Riesling offers something different to bubbly lovers – it is dry and citrusy, also floral with delicate bubbles.

They also make “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. These wines are sourced and made in Sonoma County. 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! This wine is sourced and made in Sonoma County.

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

Los-Olivos-Sparkling-Wine-Hero
Los-Olivos-Sparkling-Wine-grass
Fesstivity - Fess Parker Sparkling Wine in Los Olivos, CA
Fesstivity Bubbles at the Bubble Shack - Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine
Fess Parker Sparkling Wine: Fesstivity
Los-Olivos-Sparkling-Wine-wood
Blair Fox Sparkling Grenache Rose - Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine
E11even Sparkling Blanc de Blancs - Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine
Solminer Sparkling Syrah - Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine

Filed Under: Bubbles, Los Olivos District Tagged With: bubbles champers, Champagne, local bubbles, santa barbara wine, sparkling wine

Fess Parker’s Fesstivity at The Bubble Shack

March 21, 2019 By calicoastblog Leave a Comment

Fess Parker Sparkling Wine: Fesstivity

Fesstivity sparkling wines are a collaborative effort for Parker siblings Eli Parker and Ashley Parker Snider. Their first release of Blanc de Blancs, Brut Rose and Blanc de Noirs have proven to be great expressions of their shared vision of fresh and exciting wines from the finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, AVA.

This is Fess Parker’s all-bubbly, all-the-time tasting room in Los Olivos with 3 sparklers on their tasting menu (open Friday – Monday only). This year, The Bubble Shack celebrates the Fess Parker Winery’s 30th Anniversary with a 1.5L bottling of 2015 Fesstivity Anniversary Cuvee.

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.”

Fess Parker Sparkling Wine at the Bubble Shack

Brut Cuvée: “Benefitting from additional time en tirage, this is our most complex sparkling wine to date.”

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!”

2016 Brut Rosé also coming soon!

  • Fesstivity Bubbles at the Bubble Shack - Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine

Filed Under: Santa Barbara County Bubbles Tagged With: bubbles, California Sparkling Wine, Champagne, champagne tasting, local bubbles, Los Olivos, sparkling wine

Biddle Ranch Vineyard – Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine

February 7, 2019 By calicoastblog Leave a Comment

Biddle Ranch Vineyard - Sparkling Wine

For those of us who’ve been in love with the winery, grounds, view and elegant wines of Biddle Ranch Vineyard for the past two years, we now have one more reason to pine and gush — bubbles!

Note: This winery is just one of 40 different sparkling wine producers in San Luis Obispo County!

Right near the entrance to Edna Valley in San Luis Obispo Wine Country, Biddle Ranch Vineyard sits on 17 acres of grapes and a minimalist tasting room fashioned from a vintage barn. It’s surrounded French-style gardens: olive trees, lavender, oak trees an grapevines. And now they have released their non-vintage sparkling wine, made entirely from Chardonnay grown in Edna Valley, and bottled in August 2018.

This wine could easily be called a Blanc de Blancs: the classic Champagne style made only from white wine grapes in the Champagne region of France. This wine should satisfy any Champagne lover with its yeasty notes, flavors of tart green apple, fine bubbles, and crisp, elegant finish. It’s clean, with just a hint of almond, and absolutely delicious.

Locally-made sparking wines can be very expensive. Following all the steps of the labor-intensive Méthode Champenoise or Méthode Traditionnelle costs the winery quite a bit per bottle, so this one’s a great deal at $50.

Biddle Ranch Non-Vintage Sparkling Wine Details

Grape: Chardonnay
Source: Edna Valley
Type: Blanc De Blancs
Style: Dry
Price: $50
Availability: year-round, by the bottle, sometimes by the glass (just ask!)

Filed Under: Paso Robles & SLO County Bubbles, SLO Wine Country Tagged With: Champagne, sparkling wine

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

April 5, 2017 By calicoastblog 3 Comments

San Luis Obispo County Sparkling Wine Map & Trail

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

Laetitia Sparkling WineIt’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 printable San Luis Obispo & Paso Robles Sparkling Wine Map here (pdf).

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. You’ll event find fun grape varietals like a sparkling Viognier, Grenache and Syrah!

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 the San Luis Obispo Coast wine country, you can hit all the producers in one day, but it’s nearly impossible in Paso Robles.

Download the printable SLO County Sparkling Wine Map here (pdf).

San Luis Obispo County Sparkling Wine Map & Trail

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

Filed Under: Bubbles, Maps, San Luis Obispo county Tagged With: Bubbly Wine, California Sparkling Wine, Champagne, Paso Robles Sparkling Wine, San Luis Obispo Sparkling Wine, SLO Wine Country

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

April 5, 2017 By calicoastblog 16 Comments

Santa Barbara county Sparkling Wine Map & Trail

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

Santa Barbara Bubbles: California ChampagneIt’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!

Download the printable Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine Map here (pdf).

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 printable Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine Map here (pdf).

Santa Barbara Bubbles: California Champagne

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

Filed Under: Bubbles, Maps, Santa Barbara county Tagged With: Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noir, Bubbly Wine, California Sparkling Wine, Champagne, champagne tasting, Champers, Santa Barbara Sparkling Wine, sparkling wine map

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