As a Wine enthusiast and event planner, I realized there was something HUGE missing on my blog as I did not share my favorite California Sparkling Wines. So I’ve decided to create a running list of my favorite California Sparkling Wines at any moment. See more below!
The Best California Sparkling Wines
Breathless Wines
Breathless Wines in California is a boutique winery known for its exceptional sparkling wines and a passion for celebrating life’s special moments. Located in the heart of Sonoma County, this family-owned winery specializes in méthode champenoise sparkling wines, crafted with meticulous attention to detail. The tasting room, set in a charming garden setting, offers a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere where visitors can enjoy a flight of their award-winning bubbly. 499 Moore Ln, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Buena Vista
Sonoma Winery, Buena Vista makes a beautiful Blanc De Noir California Sparkling Wine, typically a blend of 70% Pinot Noir Grapes, 30% Chardonnay with grapes sourced from the Carneros AVA of Napa/Sonoma. Retails $70, to purchase online visit Buena Vista Sparkling Brut
Caraccioli Cellars
Caraccioli Cellars is one of the most undiscovered (in a cool off the radar way), yet high-end, beautiful quality wines on this list. I learned about this Santa Lucia Highlands Brand a few years ago when I was on a Sommelier trip to SLH, read about the Santa Lucia Highlands Sommelier Trip here, and visited their vineyards, and met their fabulous Owner Scott Caraccioli. Overall, this brand is a bit more acidic, bright, and fresh reflective of the cooler SLH climate. Read about my visit to Caraccioli Cellars Vineyards here. The price points are between $52 – $60. Brut Cuvee is $52, Brut Rose $60… Purchase online here.
Chandon
Domaine Chandon is another brand offering great high-quality California Sparkling Wine at quite accessible prices. I personally prefer their higher-end Etoile collection as the wines are riched having aged longer and they’re just a bit more special occasion wines than their signature wines. Regardless give them both a try they’re consistently tasty and always deliver. Additionally, if you’re in Napa Valley be sure to plan a visit to Domaine Chandon. They have a great brunch pairing experience that I’ve enjoyed which you can read more about here. Be sure to tell them the JSF sent you! Happy bubbles & brunch. Purchase Chandon wines online here.
Carolina Bale Brut & Rose
A newly released brand from the Charles Krug Napa Valley team is the Carolina Bale Brut & Rose Wines. I had these at a launch party this summer and they were both beautiful. In sum, light, refreshing, and super enjoyable and drinkable. Learn more and purchase online here.
Domaine Carneros
Founded by the noble family behind Champagne Taittinger, Claude Taittinger’s search for a worthy U.S. counterpart began in the late 1970s. In 1987 he selected a 138-acre parcel in the heart of Carneros, Napa Valley, wisely choosing Eileen Crane-often referred to as America’s doyenne of Sparkling Wine-to oversee the development of the Taittinger style in Carneros. In 2020, after 33 years, Crane passed the torch to a new CEO, Remi Cohen, whose role carries on the Taittinger tradition of visionary female leadership. Ushering in a new era of Domaine Carneros, Cohen brings two decades of experience in all facets of the wine industry to the château.
Any California Sparkling Wine lovers this is a Maison you want to know and be sure to enjoy. I enjoyed their 2015 Brut which was very bright, with great acidity & freshness, and paired perfectly with beautiful Caviar.
The 2015 Domaine Carneros Brut vintage.
Flaunt Wine Company
A new brand from Dianna Lee, Flaunt Wines is a beautiful luxury California Sparkling Wine Brand. The Flaunt Brut is a delicious Sparkling Wine with subtle green fruit, minerality, and a touch of yeast, nutty flavors and toastiness. Flaunt retails for $65 per bottle but as a JSF reader, you get a special price of $48. Visit Flaunt Wine Company to purchase.
Inman Family Wines
Another fabulous less known winery on this list is Inman Family Wines. I discovered this fabulous Russian River Winery the first year I was living in California in 2012 and fell in love. Kathleen Inman is the winemaker and she makes beautiful wines including her sparkling Brut Rose which is spectacular. Buy this Sparkling Wine online here.
Iron Horse
One of the most well known Sparkling Wine brands in Northern California is Iron Horse. Not only do they make their own wines, but they also make special Cuvees for lots of local San Francisco and Wine Country restauranteurs such as One Market SF, Michael Mina, Dry Creek Kitchen. It’s one of those brands that whenever you see you’ll know there is a Cuvee that will appeal to you. Read more about Iron Horse Vineyards here and purchase Iron Horse Wines here. It certainly belongs on my list of Best California Sparkling Wines!
MacRostie Wines
This was an exciting year for my friends at MacRostie as they launched their first Sparkling Wines, a Brut, and a Sparkling Rose of Pinot Noir. The Brut made from Chardonnay from the legendary Sangiacomo Vineyards, and the Rose is estate-grown Pinot Noir from MacRostie’s beloved Thale’s Vineyard. In sum, the wines are bright, beautiful, and fresh. During the holiday months, all gift sets include a beautiful gift box, Estate House tasting certificate for two ($70 value) and a $5 donation to the No Kid Hungry program. Plus: $10 flat rate ground shipping. Shop more online here.
Mary Elke
For more than two decades, the Elke family has been growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes for Mumm Napa and Roederer Estate. Over the years, they have become aficionados of sparkling wine, and after years of producing grapes for others created their own label, Mary Elke. This non-vintage Brut is made from grapes grown in select Mendocino vineyards using the method traditionally. The blend is 40% Pinot Noir and 60% Chardonnay. This non-vintage Brut is aged en tirage for seven months, resulting in a crisp and yeasty sparkler that is both fresh and delicious and a great value for $28. Buy online here.
Melville Vineyards & Winery
Another fabulous Sparkling Wine I suggest you try is from Melville Vineyards & Winery. They’re one of my favorite producers in Sta. Rita Hills and their newly released Sparkling Wine (released Fall of 2019) is incredible. Super bright, fresh, flavorful, and hard to put down. Read more about Melville Winery and my other favorite Sta. Rita Hills Wineries on my Top 10 List here.
Tasting the Blanc de Blanc and Blanc de Noir with Winemaker & friend, Chad Melville.
Mumm Napa
Another great addition to this list of California Sparkling Wines is Mumm Napa. They have a range of price points but what I think is the real winner are their entry-level wines in the mid $20s. It’s hard to find a Napa brand in the mid $20 range, with high-quality wines at a nice accessible price point with tons of impressive 90+ scores. The Brut Prestige is a blend of 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Gris & Pinot Meunier, and retails for $24. While the Brut Rose, also at $24, is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir & 20% Chardonnay. Purchase the Mumm Napa Brut Rose here online here and The Brut Prestige online here. It certainly belongs on my list of Best California Sparkling Wines!
Roederer Estate
When I think of California Sparkling Wines, Roederer Estate is usually one of the first brands that come to mind. I am a fan of their Brut and their Rose, but if I had to choose I would say their Rose is one of my favorite in California. I had the privilege to visit Roederer Estate and meet their winemaker Arnaud and spend a few hours visiting the winery and seeing how their wines are made. Read more about Roederer Estate on the blog here!
Scharffenberger
Another well-known house from Anderson Valley California is Scharffenberger. They were family-owned for years and still are, however, most recently the Roederer Estate (and Louis Roederer) family acquired them. As you know I’m a huge fan of Roederer Estate Wines so naturally, I adore the wines from their sister property, Scharffenberger.
This Brut spends two years on the lees, helping create a full wine with notes of yeasty flavors. This is a fruit-forward style Bruit with subtle hints of caramel and hazel complexes. This is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir.
Schramsberg Vineyards
Schramsberg Vineyards is another incredible spot for stunning Sparkling Wines. Schramsberg handcrafted American sparkling wines are one of the finest and most complex in California. You cannot go wrong with any of their sparkling wines or rosé, and their other selections are also divine! Schramsberg Vineyards is also featured on my blog post Best Sparkling Wineries to Visit. 1400 Schramsberg Rd, Calistoga, CA 94515
Seppi Wines
Another California brand I adore is Seppi Wines from my dear friend Kelsey Phelps. These California Wines are beyond beautiful. Use the code JSF for a 20% savings when you purchase Seppi Wines (during the month of February 2021) and enjoy free shipping.
Thank you to all of the wineries for sharing samples with me to taste! They were instrumental for me to create this list of Best California Sparkling Wines. As always, I only write about wines that I believe are of high quality and think others would enjoy.
What do you think?