Picture this: It’s a sun-drenched summer afternoon, the sky is a brilliant blue and you’re making your way down Anderson Valley’s scenic Highway 128, with rolling vineyards stretching on as far as the eye can see. You make a stop at one of the many wineries dotting the roadway and sip on a glass of sparkling wine, a regional specialty developing a devoted following among those who appreciate the finer things in life.
With each stop on Anderson Valley’s Sparkling Wine Trail, you find a different producer taking a distinctive approach to the process. Some innovate with unconventional flavors and techniques, while others adhere to more traditional methods, crafting sparkling wines that capably showcase the Valley’s distinct terroir and growing conditions.
Whether you’re after a full-bodied Blanc de Noir or a delicate Brut Rosé, Anderson Valley’s Sparkling Wine Trail offers more than just a tasting tour – it also promises an inside look at the region’s one-of-a-kind viticulture, community and landscape.
Anderson Valley Sparkling Wine Producers
Pennyroyal Farm
Often the first stop coming into the Valley on Anderson Valley’s Sparking Wine Trail, Pennyroyal Farm’s 23-acre vineyard is part of a minimum-waste farm committed to sustainable farming and production practices. Pennyroyal’s distinctive sparkling wines include its 2019 Blanc de Noir, a vibrant blend offering white peach, nectarine, and rich apple meringue flavors and a fresh-baked graham cracker aroma.
Foursight Wines
A small, family-owned and -operated establishment producing about 4,000 wine cases per year, Foursight Wines has also ventured into the world of sparkling wine, serving up the likes of its Non-Vintage Brut Nature out of its Fido-friendly Boonville tasting room. A new off-dry Sauvignon Blanc offers a new twist on this classic grape.
Bee Hunter Wine
A small-batch operation that works exclusively with growers who follow organic, biodynamic, and sustainable farming practices, Bee Hunter Wine has a fervent following among fans of bubbles due in large part to its Pinot Noir and Rosé sparkling wines.
Lichen Estate
A must-visit destination on Anderson Valley’s Sparkling Wine Trail, Lichen Estate is one of the three sparkling houses of the region and sits on a former sheep ranch. They use about a third of the fruit it produces to create its Blanc de Gris, Blanc de Noir, and Grand Cuvée Brut Rosé estate sparkling wines.
Goldeneye Winery
Featured in everything from Forbes and Wine Spectator to Wine Enthusiast and Sunset magazines, Goldeneye Winery has fast become a fixture on Anderson Valley’s sparkling wine scene. Founded in 1996, Goldeneye’s sparkling wines include its Brut Rosé variety, which delivers a delicate berry flavor and a crisp, refreshing finish.
Long Meadow Ranch
Celebrated for its exceptional wines and sustainable farming practices, Long Meadow Ranch’s Blanc de Noirs and Brut Rosé sparkling wines highlight the winemaker’s commitment to quality while showcasing Anderson Valley’s unique growing conditions and cool-climate terroir.
Maggy Hawk Wines
Situated in Anderson Valley’s remote “Deep End,” Maggy Hawk’s sparkling wine lineup includes its hip and fresh Pet-Nat (short for “petillant naturel,” a French term meaning “naturally sparkling”), a playful, rustic blend created using Maggy Hawk Pinot Noir grapes. Their winemaker is excited for a new Méthode Champenoise sparkler to be released around 2026.
Scharffenberger Cellars
A true pioneer of Anderson Valley’s sparkling wine scene, Scharffenberger began producing sparkling wines back in 1981, relying on the “French méthode traditionnelle” to do so. Snag a seat on the covered porch or in the garden to sample Scharffenberger’s assortment of sparkling wines, from its fruit-forward Brut to its unique Brut Black Label featuring flavors and aromas of mocha, baked brie, and citrus zest. They may currently have one of the most exciting and diverse sparkling wine tastings in California wine right now.
Toulouse Vineyards
Perched on a 160-acre property overlooking the Navarro River and Valley below, Toulouse Vineyards is another must-do on the Anderson Valley Sparkling Wine Trail. Pop into their Philo tasting room and ask about Goose Bubbles, their renowned and acidic sparkling Blanc de Noir. Aged on the lees for five years, this blend merges green apple, pear, and vanilla flower flavors with earthy and brioche notes, resulting in a lively, complex summer sipper.
Navarro Vineyards
A small, storied producer of fine California wines and non-alcoholic grape juices, Navarro Vineyards sells the majority of its products straight from its Philo tasting room. Stop in and sip on Navarro’s 2019 Navarro Brut, a four-year labor of love Navarro dreamed up after a mid-May series of storms dropped more than five inches of rain on the vineyard, creating ideal conditions for sparkling wine development. Don’t pass your chance to buy it if you like what you taste, because these wines are limited and not produced very often.
Husch Vineyards & Winery
A favorite Mendocino County winery since 1971, Husch produces 22 different wines it serves up in its tasting room, a converted pony barn that dates back to the 1800s. Sparkling wine fans can check out Husch’s 2016 Cuvée Beret Blanc de Blanc, a tribute to the late Rich Robinson and the winemaker’s first foray into sparkling wine. Enjoy a glass in Husch’s tasting room, which exudes rustic charm reminiscent of some of the area’s earliest homesteads.
Roederer Estate
The most famous Anderson Valley sparkling wine producer who planted their first vineyards in 1984, Roederer Estate’s 580-acre Anderson Valley vineyard relies on age-old traditions and sustainable practices to craft its sparkling wines. Standouts include its Estate Brut Sparkling Wine, which some wine enthusiasts say is among the best sparkling wines produced in California.
Handley Cellars
With a history rich in sparkling wine, they made the first sparkling vintage in 1983. Made with Chardonnay grapes sourced from its Anderson Valley estate vineyard, Handley Cellars’ 2019 Blanc de Blancs has ripe fruity notes, moderate acid levels and enticing aromas of apple, citrus blossom, and fresh bread. Reserve a spot or pop by Handley’s tasting room, open daily from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., to sip on this and other Handley Cellars standouts.
Anderson Valley Sparkling Cider Producers
While many visitors come to Anderson Valley and Mendocino County in search of sparkling wines, it’s also a great spot to sample sparkling ciders. Stop by these wineries and vineyards for a taste of the region’s burgeoning sparkling cider scene.
While many visitors come to Anderson Valley and Mendocino County in search of sparkling wines, it’s also a great spot to sample sparkling ciders. Stop by these wineries and vineyards for a taste of the region’s burgeoning sparkling cider scene.
Gowan’s Heirloom Cider
Gowan’s Heirloom Ciders offers a unique twist on standard sparkling beverages with its limited-production sparkling cider. A refreshing alternative to sparkling wine, sparkling cider showcases the owners artisanal approach to beverage-making, highlighting its dedication to both quality and the craft. During the summer months enjoy frozen slushies and sit in their 100-year-old apple orchard.
Drew Wines
Known for its small-lot, cool-climate wines, Drew Wines estate vineyard also dabbles in sparkling cider, infusing champagne yeast into its apple blends to create a crisp, effervescent alternative to traditional sparkling wine. Guests can make a reservation and journey up Greenwood Road and into Elk to try this unique cider, or if you can’t visit the winery you can buy it locally at The Elk Store.
As one of the nation’s premier sparkling wine regions, Anderson Valley and its Sparkling Wine Trail promise more than just an opportunity to sip and sample red, white and rosé sparkling wines – they also enable you to immerse yourself in the culture and community of the local vintners who pour their passion and creativity into the craft. This summer, explore the heart of California wine country and get to know the people, flavors and places that continue to define this renowned viticultural region.
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