Updated May 2024
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 Sparkling Wine (and local champagne) to enjoy every day of the year!
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, we have 18 sparkling wine producers right here in Los Olivos, making bubbly wine available here in town year-round.
See more! There are over 75 sparkling wine producers in Santa Barbara County.
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 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 anytime. Pét-nats include Carhartt’s sparkling rosé of Grenache or Sauvignon Blanc (availability is seasonal), 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).
Plus, you can also get Italian DOCG (high-quality) Prosecco at Moretti Wine Co. and if you eat at Bar Le Côte, you can get their private label bubbles.
Find more Santa Barbara County bubbles on our local sparkling wine map, and celebrate any season in Los Olivos.
Pop some local bottles!
1. Blair Fox
1. This méthode champenoise rosé of Grenache is crisp and fruity, and they recently released a Blanc de Blancs (white sparkling wine made from white grapes) and Blanc de Noirs ( white sparkling wine made from red grapes). If the wines are not open for tasting, just ask and they will pour you a taste.
From Blair: “Our 2018 Foxy Bubbles is a brut style, low sugar Grenache Rosé sparkling wine that is light and fresh and just fun for any bubbly situation!”
2. Brewer-Clifton
Brewer-Clifton 3D Vineyard Sparkling Blanc de Blancs is a labor of love. The entire process is done in-house, completely méthode champenoise (traditional Champagne method), with all tasks done by hand. It’s made from 100% Chardonnay, and it’s the yeasty, delicate bottle of bubbles you’d want to buy in France. Not always available, so ask for it.
3. The Bubble Shack
This is Fess Parker’s all-bubbly, all-the-time tasting room with three different sparklers made in the méthode champenoise on their tasting menu. It’s located in the courtyard with Epiphany, and it’s open Friday – Monday only. Bottles sales are possible at Epiphany and Fess Parker Winery.
“The 2016 Fesstivity Blanc De Noir checks in as 82% Pinot Noir and 18% Chardonnay. It’s a more toasty effort that offers plenty of hazelnut and brioche nuances as well as background stone fruits. Made in a richer, more opulent style (think Krug as opposed to Cristal), it hits the palate with plenty of fruit and richness, terrific balance, no hard edges, and a great finish. This cuvée had 19 months of aging and 10 grams of dosage.” ~ Jeb Dunnuck
“The 2017 Fesstivity Blanc De Blancs has bright, fresh aromas of citrus and lemongrass with hints of biscuit and a subtle minerality. Flavors of green apple, citrus and mineral notes are made more complex with hints of caramel and toast.”
“Our 2016 Sibling Bubblery Sparkling Grenache 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: “Generous passion fruit, raspberry and a hint of orange zest won’t be missed on the nose. Persistent bubbles dance in the flute, while bright tangy flavors of cranberry, raspberry, grapefruit are mellowed by a touch of vanilla on a pleasant palate that finishes with a clean, quenching acidity.”
2018 Brut Cuvée (2017 and 2015 Anniversary Magnums also available): “A complex sparkling blend comprised of roughly 88% Pinot Noir and 12% Chardonnay spending an extended time en tirage to bring out its unique characteristics. You won’t miss fine persistent bubbles floating to the top of your flute in a pale straw background. Light and flowery on the nose with a palate dominated by lemon cream, pear, roasted cashew and rounded out by a hint of nectarine.”
4. Carhartt Family Wines
Carhartt’s sparkling wines change every year, but all are Pét-Nats, made in the méthode ancestrale in limited quantities. Recently, they’ve had two Sparkling releases: the Venture Nat/É Boi SB, a Pét-Nat made from Sauvignon Blanc, with a zingy acidity and fresh flavor profile, and the Nat/É Boi Sparkling Rosé made from Grenache with fresh fruit and floral notes, and balanced acidity.
Note: Pétillant Naturel, or Pét-Nat, is an even more ancient way to make sparkling wine than the widely-used méthode traditionelle or méthode champenoise originated in Champagne, France. In the méthode 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.
5. Coquelicot
Sparkling Rosé Sangiovese from Coquelicot is available in the tasting room this summer (2022). This new sparkling is another Pét Nat, made from organic grapes in their Solvang vineyard. They only made a tiny amount, so it won’t last long!
6. Dreamcôte
In addition to still wine and hard cider, this effort from Brittany Zotovich includes Pét-Nat sparkling wines, which sell out every year
2021 Grenache Rosé Pét-Nat Bubbles: This wine has a nice natural bubble and tastes like: Strawberry juice, watermelon, crushed pez. Excellent light pink fruit balanced with mouth-watering acidity & grounding minerality.
2021 Grenache Blanc ‘Orange’ Pét-Nat Bubbles: This wine has a nice natural bubble and tastes like: Asian pear, lime zest, honeysuckle, aromatics of crushed lily leaves & warm fennel pollen.
7. Four Brothers
This crisp and dry (brut) Sparkling Wine is a classic blend of 46% Pinot Noir 46% Chardonnay, and 8% Pinot Munier, an elegant and classy Champagne style sparkler.
You will find aromas of Pear and Nectarine on the nose, and delicious green apple and candied lemon drops on the tongue. This wine finishes with a nice crisp acidity.
8. Future Perfect
This colorful, dynamic new wine tasting spot in Los Olivos has just released a Sparkling Rosé Méthode Champenoise made of 69% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 6% Pinot Menuier (these are the classic grape varieties allowed in Champagne, France). Owner and winemaker Sunny Doench Stricker makes wine that brings people joy, from the best Santa Barbara County vineyards.
9. The Hideaway LO
This wine is currently out! The team behind these fun labels makes a méthode champenoise sparkling wine called Flocking Fabulous Sparkling Wine, with floral, citrus, and pear aromas with a hint of yeast. The fine mousse brings forth the light citrus, smooth and round in the mouth. It has a round finish, with a note of grapefruit. This Sparkling wine is a blend of 63% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, and 3% Pinot Meunier grapes.
10. Holus Bolus
This Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend from the North Coast of California is made in the classical Champagne Method. It’s time to celebrate with Wineslut Sparkling Rosé by Holus Bolus!
11. Liquid Farm
Liquid Farm is one of the only wineries on the Central Coast to see French Champagne under their own label! (L’Aventure on Paso’s west side imports French Champagne from a partner winery and sells it on site.) The Grand Cru Champagne is a Blanc De Blancs from Le Mesnil, and only available to members.
Liquid Farms also produces a domestic Sparkling Wine in the traditional method and utilizes hand-picked Chardonnay from Rita’s Crown, Spear, and Kessler-Haak Vineyards. Only one year aging on the less promotes freshness while moderating the yeastiness. this 2021 Sta. Rita Hills Blanc de Blancs has just 3 g/L of sugar, making it Extra Brut.
12. Margerum / Barden
Barden, part of the Margerum Wine Company, produces limited quantity, boutique wines made from grapes solely sourced from the world-renowned Sta. Rita Hills. Enjoy their 2019 Blanc de Blancs (made in méthode champensoise) as it is Barden’s first sparkling wine! You can enjoy 2 glasses of these bubbles with a dozen fresh Kumamoto Oysters from the Pacific Northwest at the Margerum tasting room in Los Olivos. This Blanc de Blanc is aged on the lees for 3 years, and has zero dosage, making it light and crisp with delicious notes of brioche and lemon curd. For a full lunch and wine pairing, Margerum also offers a five-course Bento Box of steamed local crab (which also pairs with the Sparkling Wine), sushi rolls, eel, sashimi and Korean Pork. All pairings must be ordered at least 1 day in advance.
You can also get it by the glass or bottle at their Santa Barbara tasting room.
13. Moretti Wine Co.
The Moretti Prosecco is an Italian Superiore DOCG Valdobbiadene Brut—a high-quality sparkling wine for just $25. It’s made in Italy, with oversight by owners Antonio & Jeni Moretti – he’s from northern Italy, but she’s studied and traveled the country so much that she knows it better than he does. From the Morettis:
“Sipping on this is like stepping into an impressionist painting. The bubbles remind you of the lightness of being that those paintings evoke. Yet underneath that easy, Mediterranean feeling, you can appreciate the layers of complexity, even smell the hints of flowers, meadow and fruit. Its palate (and palette) has a richness that defies its sparkle and shine.”
14. Refugio Ranch
The Gleason family who owns Refugio Ranch decided to make a new label for their Pét-Nat of Sangiovese called Gleason Family Vineyards. This red sparkler is in the style of classic Italian bubbly wines. The tasting room is in a historical, early-1900s warehouse, and now features two wine tasting bars, a VIP lounge, and an expansive outdoor deck, one of the largest tasting locations in Los Olivos.
Their sister property just outside of Los Olivos, Roblar, also has 2 different sparklers made in the méthode champenoise.
15. Solminer
Solminer 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, and their wines are “completely natural. Nothing but organic grapes creating clean, fresh bubbly.” 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.”
16. Stolpman & Combe
There are 2 bubblies made by folks from Stolpman. You must try their first-ever Sparkling Chenin Blanc pét-nat, offered next door to the main tasting room at Stolpman So Fresh. The other is a collaboration with Raj Parr, and the world’s only sparkling Trousseau pét-nat – only available certain times of year at the main tasting room or online.
More info on Combe pét-nat:
“Pete Stolpman’s esoteric project is labeled “Combe” referring to the French word for a small sheltered valley within a vineyard (in partnership with Raj Parr). Sometime around 2010, Pete became convinced of the great potential for the pale red Trousseau grape on the Limestone soils of Stolpman Vineyards. We decided to make a light red Trousseau and a Trousseau pét-nat. The first vintage for the Trousseau wines was 2014, and we now have 3.5 acres planted to the varietal. Our 1.5 acres of Chenin began producing in 2016. The tiny first crop of Mondeuse made it into the 2019 Vin Gris and should make up the majority of this delicious dark pink wine in 2020.”
The 2022 version is 80% Trousseau and 20% Mondeuse. This is the only known sparkling Trousseau in the world; get it in Los Olivos, CA!
17. Story of Soil
Story of Soil has released their very first bubbly: a 2021 pét-nat of Grüner Veltliner. We don’t know if you get a taste or glass of it in the tasting room, but you can buy a bottle.
18. Strange Family Wines
The Strange Family Vineyards have dedicated themselves to producing world class Sparkling Wines and exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their estate in the Sta. Rita Hills. You can visit their vineyard for tastings in the Lompoc area or head to their new tasting room on Grand Avenue (coming soon) to taste their three Sparkling Wines – Cuvée, Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs. Their Sparkling Wines are produced by traditional French methods. They are also available for glasses at the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern.
BONUS! Local Sparkling Wine at Bar Le Côte:
When dining at this local seafood tavern, try their Los Olivos Skin Contact Pét-Nat Blanc de Blanc by Solminer & Bar Le Côte.
See more! There are over 75 sparkling wine producers in Santa Barbara County.
Sparkling Wine in Santa Barbara & Summerland
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