Sparkling wine has found a home in Anderson Valley. Our coastal climate is perfect to ensure the right acidity levels are achieved to provide sparklers that possess backbone, yet are able to showcase the gorgeous fruit of our wine region. Pinot Noir is often the primary source for making exceptional Blanc de Noirs, but other grapes like Pinot Gris and Chardonnay are also key grapes. It is estimated that as much as 70% of the Chardonnay grown in the Valley goes into sparkling programs. With sixteen known producers in our community making sparkling wine, cider or petnat, we are recognizing ourselves as the premier New World sparkling wine region.

Scharffenberger Cellars was the first to produce sparkling wine in Anderson Valley in 1981 with the Brut Excellence made from grapes from the Valley Foothills Vineyard. Handley Cellars followed with the innagural release of their Brut Sparkling in 1983, made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Navarro Vineyards trailled one year later and in 1984 released a sparkling Sparkling Brut. Famed Roederer Estate released their first sparkling wine in 1988 with the Estate Brut, which was the first domestic sparkling wine produced by the domestic house founded by Louis Roederer.