Summer Sparkle
By Don Sonderling Sparkling wines of the Central Coast
Around here, we are blessed with marvelous weather, stunning scenery, and dozens upon dozens of wineries producing elegant, sparkling wines. These wineries are superb places to stop and celebrate a quintessential California summer — and discover your new favorite brand of Central Coast bubbly!
Before we begin exploring a few of the many sparkling wine producers in our region, let’s define a few basic terms:
- Méthode Champenoise: Traditional method of making Champagne, where second fermentation occurs in the bottle, or “the French way.”
- Charmat Style: Charmat method is when the second fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, like Prosecco.
- Pét-nat (Pétillant Naturel): the oldest method of making sparkling wine, a precursor to Méthode Champenoise. Bottling wine that is still undergoing fermentation. Light and fun bubbles!
San Luis Obispo County
Laetitia Winery, situated directly on Hwy 101 in Arroyo Grande, has a rich history of producing sparkling wine. It was the first winery in this area to produce méthode champenoise, with its inaugural sparkling release in 1983. Initially established by Maison Deutz, a French house, the winery has a long-standing tradition of producing exceptional sparkling and Burgundian wines.
A few years later, the property was renamed Laetitia Vineyard & Winery, with the first vintage under the Laetitia label coming in 1995. Almost three decades later, Laetitia was purchased by Eric Hickey — Laetitia’s head winemaker for the past 20 years — along with Ejnar Knudsen and Jeff Nicholson (both of whom are highly experienced in agribusiness). With this three-way partnership, Laetitia is positioned to reach an even higher level of wine and sparkling production.
Photo Courtesy of Rava Acacia Productions
While it’s changed hands a few times over the years, it’s long been a leader in the industry. Laetitia led the pilot program in SLO County for SIP Certification (Sustainability In Practice), which is a sustainable certification program for winegrowers and winemakers.
When you get to the winery, prepare for knock-out views of the vineyards (all of their wines are made from estate-grown grapes!), and plenty of pleasant seating options. And then there’s the sparkling wines! Of the eight Laetitia produces, they offer a sparkling flight of four different bubbles at the winery.
There are two original wooden French Champagne grape presses that you may see in action during harvest. There are only a few presses of this type in the United States!
Don’t miss visiting this beautiful, pastoral location to sip exciting bubbles on the Central Coast.
Chamisal Vineyards in the Edna Valley may be best known for planting the first commercial vineyard in the valley in 1973, consisting of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. While these are their flagship wines, for a refined and luxurious experience, plan a visit to experience Chamisal’s Bubbles and Caviar tasting.
Accompanying their Estate Sparkling wine, made in the méthode champenoise style using a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, you’ll be served a tasty 30-gram tin of Sterling Royal Grade (sturgeon) Caviar — along with crème fraiche, kettle chips, and blini. In addition to this special pairing, Chamisal offers the option of pairing a glass or bottle with a “caviar bump” or “caviar and chips.” As you sip and savor, your host will share the history of the winery, vineyard, and Chamisal’s leadership in the area.
Aside from recognition for their Burgundian wines and sparkling wine, Chamisal is notable in its sustainability practices, as well. They practice organic and regenerative farming practices; they’re SIP certified; they’re silver members of the IWCA with the goal of net carbon neutrality by 2050; and they’re the first winery to plant a Miyawaki Forest to sequester carbon and increase biodiversity. (Miyawaki Forests are biodiverse, native, pocket-sized forests that reestablish full, functioning ecosystems in the areas where they are planted.)
Rava Wines is another visit you don’t want to miss! While Rava may be relatively new in the wine-and-bubbles category in the Paso Robles area, they have made a significant impact quickly. And if you love sparkling wine, this is the place. Between their estate vineyards in Monterey and Paso Robles, they grow more than 25 varietals and produce about 17 sparkling wines, single varietals, and blends.
Photo Couresy Rava Acacia Productions
Owners Chad and Lauren Rava had long dreamed of producing elegant méthode champenoise sparkling wine, so in 2010 they purchased the property and planted the vineyards. The first vintage of their Blanc de Blanc was released in 2015. Since then, Rava Winery has made waves in the sparkling wine movement within the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area (AVA), becoming the first in the region to focus on producing Burgundian méthode champenoise sparkling wines. With the variety they offer, you’re sure to find several that you love.
Winemaker Sherrie Holzer is excited to be in charge of Rava’s winemaking and sparkling program. “We craft the traditional Champagne varieties — Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier — while highlighting what makes the Paso Robles wine region stand out: its diversity,” Sherrie said. “I’m currently making 15-plus sparkling wines, and excited about our newest project, The Sparkling Rhône Collection, which includes Grenache Noir Rosé, Grenache Blanc, Cinsault, Cinsault Rosé, and Picpoul.”
Additionally, the Rava venue is gorgeous! You’ll be impressed by the inviting atmosphere, whether on the patio, in the tasting room, or by the pond, where you can sip and enjoy your flight or share a bottle of sparkling wine.
Although Alta Colina has built their reputation on their Rhône varietals and blends, you may want to stop by their Paso Robles winery to treat yourself to two of their sparkling wines! Lynn’s Cuvée is an exquisite blend of estate-grown Grenache Blanc (57%), Marsanne (27%), and Viognier (16%). The current 2019 vintage slept for several years before being released in 2024. This sparkling méthode champenoise wine was also produced to celebrate founders Bob and Lynne Tillman’s 55th anniversary.
And be sure to try their Pét-nat, too. Crafted from 100 percent estate-grown Grenache, this wine is perfect for a picnic, or by the pool. This is a crowd-pleaser!
Tackitt Family Vineyards, located on the Pleasant Valley Wine Trail, may be a bit of a drive from downtown Paso Robles, but it’s well worth it! In 2007, after a 28-year career with the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit (thank you for your service!), Leon Tackitt planted vines on his grandfather’s small vineyard and began a second career as a winemaker. You can sample three elegant sparkling wines, handcrafted and hand-riddled, and of course, méthode champenoise. They currently offer a sparkling Domaine de Blanc, a sparkling Rosé, and an Alicante Bouchet, rosé style! Perfect for summertime, or perfect anytime.
PasoSecco is the new kid in town, open for about a year and a half in Paso Robles. Unabashedly promoting themselves as “the best bubbles in Paso,” they produce Charmat-style (Prosecco-like) bubbles. Come in Friday through Sunday and enjoy their sparkling Grenache Blanc or Cinsault Rosé Sparkling. Let your hair down (or keep it up), and bring your bubbly personality in for a taste.
Santa Barbara County
Flying Goat Cellars, located in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, is a must-visit bubble destination. Not only is there a great story behind the name, but there are also great sparkling wine selections.
Norm Yost established Flying Goat Cellars in 2000 and has produced sparkling wine since 2005. He was the first in Santa Barbara County to introduce a sparkling wine program using the traditional méthode champenoise and may be referred to as the “OG” (old goat) of SB County sparkling wine.
Goat Bubbles (Flying Goat’s specific label) has over six varieties, each with a special focus, a different-colored label, and a matching hand-dipped cap. When you go for a tasting, you will explore five wines, which may include a sparkling Pinot Meunier, a Brut Cuvée, or a Blanc de Noirs.
The name and label are fun, however these are serious sparkling wines. Norm sources his grapes from SIP certified vineyards and vineyards with sustainability practices in place.
Chamisal Vinyard Photo Courtesy of Chamisal
Keep an eye on their website this summer for the announcement of the date for their popular Bubbles & Bivalves event. Enjoy fresh-from-the-sea Morro Bay Oysters, paired perfectly with Goat Bubbles!
After you leave Flying Goat, walk a few steps down to the tasting room for a sip at Camins 2 Dreams. Stop here to taste and pick up a bottle of Grüner Veltliner, a most unique expression of Pét-nat. Owners Tara Gomez and Mireia Taribó spare no detail in their wine production, aging 18 months on the lees before hand-riddling. This is an exceptionally fun, tasty, and exquisite addition to their wine lineup. Grapes are sourced from the esteemed Donnachadh Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, and their Pét-nat is not only fun, it’s serious!
Camins 2 Dreams owners Tara Gomez and Mireia Taribó. Photo courtesy Camins Dreams 2
While visiting Tara and Mireia, you will meet two incredibly talented winemakers. This wife-and-wife team has broken boundaries in wine and community. Tara is the first Native American winemaker to be recognized by the state of California, and is thought to be the first Native American winemaker in the United States.
There are so many more excellent sparkling wine makers in our region, so get on the road and get exploring! For directions, additional resources and ideas, check out the Santa Barbara County Sparkling Wine Guide, San Luis Obispo County & Paso Robles Sparkling Wine Map, and the Central Coast Sparkling & Champagne Guide.
I’ll leave you with this quote from F. Scott Fitzgerald: “Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.”