Napa’s Sparkling Wines

Let’s face it: A celebration risks falling flat without sparkling wine! But you don’t need to look overseas to experience bubbly in all its splendor, as Napa Valley boasts a rich sparkling wine tradition. Whether your next soirée is a black-tie gala or a cozy gathering at home, world-class Napa bubbles match any mood and elevate the moment.

We asked a few of Napa Valley’s sparkling icons to share what makes the region’s bubbly stand out from the crowd.

ROOTED IN TRADITION

In Napa, sparkling wines are most often produced using the traditional method, which means the bubbles are created via a secondary fermentation in the bottle. “We follow the same méthode traditionnelle (méthode champenoise) processes that are used in Champagne, but because our grapes are grown in a different terroir, our wines have their own unique, fruit-forward style,” says Tamra Lotz, winemaker for Mumm Napa.

It’s a style of fine winemaking that requires a diligent and disciplined attention to detail over a sustained period of time.

“The labor-intensive méthode champenoise style is a patient process that takes no less than five years from vineyard to release. The resulting wines showcase the attributes we desire most in sparkling wine—fresh aromatics, vibrant flavors and natural acidity,” explains Todd Graff, general manager and winemaker at Frank Family Vineyards.

TASTING NAPA’S TERROIR

The traditional method has French roots, but Napa Valley’s sparkling wines are authentic expressions of Napa’s terroir.

Some of the finest sparkling wines are crafted from cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Los Carneros. “The unique maritime fog provides the ultimate hang time for the ripening grapes, pivotal in developing cool-climate aromatics and maintaining high acidity. Strong breezes tunneling through the vines throughout the day create thick skins and tiny clusters for an intense fruit-focused palate,” says Graff.

Ana Diogo-Draper, former director of winemaking at Artesa Vineyards & Winery, concurs: “There is superb freshness and vibrancy in the sparkling wines produced in Napa Valley. Los Carneros possesses the perfect terroir to grow great quality sparkling grapes, granting us elegant fruit with bright acidity and great balance.”

ALL THE PRETTY GRAPES

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the foundation of Napa’s sparkling wines, but other varieties are also used. “You may not think of Pinot Gris for sparkling wines, but it was one of the original seven varieties in Champagne and we feel it brings some roundness and pleasant stone fruit to our blends,” says Lotz.

For their demi-sec (semi-sweet) sparkling wine, Schramsberg Vineyards winemaker Jessica Koga says, “In addition to the sites in Los Carneros, we source a grape called Flora, a cross between Gewurztraminer and Semillon, which is planted in Yountville.”

A DELICIOUS LABOR OF LOVE

Napa’s producers embrace the challenge of making top-tier sparkling wine.

“It is by far the most intimidating wine style to produce. I love the thrill of it during harvest, as those are always the first grapes we receive and are truly an indicator of the quality of the vintage,” says Diogo-Draper.

“There are so many reasons I love making sparkling wine! First, it’s my favorite style of wine to drink. It pairs so beautifully with all the foods I love to cook and eat, especially seafood and fresh produce. I also really enjoy the complexity of the process,” exclaims Lotz.

LET’S CELEBRATE!

Need another reason to sip sparkling wine from Napa? Heed these words of wisdom from Jessica Koga: “No matter when you’re drinking it, sparkling wine is celebratory. Whether it’s being opened for a huge life event like a wedding or it’s a random Tuesday night, as soon as you open that bottle, it’s a party.”