When planning a wedding in the beautiful wine country of California’s Central Coast, incorporating local sparkling wine into your celebration is a perfect way to embrace the region’s vibrant wine culture. San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties boast an array of exceptional sparkling wines from over 200 local wineries! Whether you want something Champagne-like, boutique and made in-house, or a fun Pet-Nat, choosing the right sparkling wine means considering the style, origin, and pairing potential for your special day.
Sparkling wine is an excellent choice for weddings not only for your wedding toast, but also to pair with your entire menu. It pairs beautifully with appetizers, seafood, poultry, and vegetarian dishes, making it a natural fit for multi-course menus or buffet-style receptions.
Explore Sparkling Wine Varieties and Styles
Central Coast sparkling wines come in a range of styles, from traditional Brut to Extra Brut and even whimsical options like Prosecco-style or Pét-Nats.
Many wineries in this region use classic methods of secondary fermentation in the bottle, such as Méthode Champenoise, to craft sparkling wines that rival those of more renowned regions.
A few wineries import Prosecco from Italy, or make their sparkling wine in that style: secondary fermentation in tank instead of bottle, resulting in a crisper, fruitier profile with a reduced cost.
A large portion of wineries use the Méthode Ancestral and bottle their sparklers earlier, allowing carbon dioxide produced during the main fermentation to naturally carbonate the wine. These Pétillant Naturel wines can be from non-traditional grapes, with fun flavors and softer bubbles.
When selecting a sparkling wine, think about your favorite wines:
- If you love dry, crisp white wines, you’ll love the classic Brut or Extra Brut Champagne-style wines.
- If you love fruitier wines, you can look for Prosecco-style or Sparkling Wine that is more affordable.
- If you’re an adventurous wine drinker, frequently choosing natural wine or more interesting and esoteric wines, try a fun Pét-Nat.
Focus on Local Terroir
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties each offer distinct characteristics in their sparkling wines, thanks to their diverse microclimates. San Luis Obispo’s Edna Valley is known for its cool coastal breezes and long growing seasons, producing sparkling wines with elegant acidity and minerality. Santa Barbara County, with its varied AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), offers a range of styles, including fruit-forward sparkling wines from the Sta. Rita Hills or Santa Maria Valley. Ventura County, though lesser-known, has boutique wineries crafting limited-edition sparkling wines with a personal touch. Choosing wines that reflect the local terroir not only supports regional winemakers but also brings a sense of place to your wedding.
Customize Your Wedding Bubbles
Sparkling wine has long been a symbol of celebration, its bubbly effervescence associated with joy, new beginnings, and shared toasts of happiness. To add a personal and memorable touch, choose a bottle from the year you met, or plan a fun bridal party outing to the local winery where you selected your bubbles. You can also match your wedding colors with a glitter-decorated bottle (try Riverbench for this) or add personalized labels–these can be DIY and also make great gifts. There are so many ways to make your champagne toast reflect your love story and your style!
Visit Wineries for Tastings
We have a tried-and-tested list of the best sparkling wines on the Central Coast, but another way to choose sparkling wine for your wedding is to visit the wineries for tastings. Many local producers offer tasting experiences where you can sample their sparkling wines and learn about their winemaking process.
By choosing local sparkling wine from California’s Central Coast, you can infuse your wedding with regional charm while treating your guests to exceptional wines crafted with care.
Paso Robles Area Bubbles (click for more):
- Four Lanterns Winery on 46 West
- Hoyt Family Vineyards in Downtown Paso Robles
- Metronome/Hayseed & Housdon in Downtown Paso Robles
- Niner Wine Estates on 46 West (bottle sales only)
- Rava Winery on Paso’s East side
- Treana/Hope Family Wines on Paso’s West side and Downtown Paso Robles
San Luis Obispo Area Bubbles:
- Chamisal Vineyards in Edna Valley
- Laetitia Vineyards & Winery in Arroyo Grande Valley
- Stephen Ross Wine Cellars in San Luis Obispo
- Timbre Winery in Arroyo Grande Valley and San Luis Obispo
Santa Maria/Ynez Valleys Bubbles:
- Fess Parker Winery/The Bubble Shack on Foxen Canyon, in Los Olivos and Downtown Santa Barbara
- Flying Goat Cellars in Lompoc
- Future Perfect Wine in Los Olivos
- Presqu’ile Winery in Santa Maria Valley
- Riverbench Vineyard & Winery in Santa Maria Valley and Downtown Santa Barbara
- Sanford Winery in the Sta. Rita Hills
Santa Barbara Bubbles (all Downtown SB):
- Loubud Wines
- Margerum Wine Company
- Pali Wine Co.
- Fess Parker & Riverbench tasting rooms, too!
Ventura Area Bubbles:
- Clos Des Amis
- Four Brix Winery
- Giessinger Winery
- Magnavino Cellars
- Strey Cellars
Where to Taste Sparkling Wine Flights & Bites on California’s Central Coast
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