Adelaida Vineyards & Winery has a long history in Paso Robles; Pinot Noir was planted on the the land it occupies on Adelaida Road in 1964. That land was purchased in 1971 by Adelaida founders Don and Elizabeth Van Steenwyk, who later established the winery and more grape plantings over the years.
Adelaida made its first vintage of sparkling wine back in the 1980s, and has been breaking out those bottles every year to celebrate harvest. (It was made in the traditional method, like bubbles are made in Champagne.) As that bubble supply began to wane, the winery decided to release their 2017 sparkling wine in the fall of 2020, the first time in 30 years!
Méthode Champenoise is how sparkling wine is made in the Champagne region of France, also called méthode traditionnelle or classique. This is the highest-quality and most labor-intensive way to make sparkling wine. It involves bottling the still wine with additions of sugar and yeast after a first fermentation, ensuring a second fermentation happens in the bottle, trapping the bubbles inside. It then goes through aging (and periodic turning of the bottles to force the lees to the neck of the bottle), until it’s ready for dégorgement (to get these lees out) and dosage (to finish the wine).
From the winery:
“Located in the mountainous terrain of Paso Robles, Adelaida Vineyards & Winery is built on a vision of excellence: for wine, for community, and for the environment. Sustainable agriculture and a winemaking team guided by nature come together to create classic California wines that convey a sense of this unique place. Our vineyards offer a wide range of mesoclimates, aspects and soil types. We farm them organically, with an eye toward the long-term health of our customers, our employees, and our land. We invite you to our Ranch to experience first-hand the vibrant, peaceful charm of Adelaida Vineyards, the heart of Adelaida district in Paso Robles.”
Adelaida’s sparkling wine is not available year-round, so make sure to call and see if it’s in stock!
See more! There are over 80 sparkling wine producers in San Luis Obispo County.
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