Rooted in Rhône: How Rhône Varietals Became the Heart of Amista Vineyards
Celebrating Rhône Varietals in Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley…
…organically grown reds, rosés, blends and sparkling wines.
At Amista Vineyards in Healdsburg, Rhône varietals aren’t just part of our portfolio—they’re the soul of our story.
When we planted our first Syrah vines in 2000 in our estate Morningsong Vineyards, nestled in the Dry Creek Valley, we didn’t have a master plan. We simply followed our instincts—and a little bit of buzz that Syrah was poised to be “the next big thing.” That buzz faded, but our passion for Rhône-style wines only deepened.
Our first Syrah harvest in 2002 led to what we affectionately called Garage Syrah—a wine crafted in our garage with the help of friends and family. It wasn’t meant for the market, but its enthusiastic reception gave us the encouragement to launch Amista Vineyards in Healdsburg in 2004. Syrah became the foundation of our winemaking journey, one that would soon expand into a full embrace of Rhône varietals.
Exploring Rhône Wines Grown and Made in Healdsburg, Sonoma County
Inspired by our love for Syrah and guided by curiosity, we added Grenache and Mourvèdre to our estate vineyards in 2011 using a grafting technique called T-budding. It was a bold move, allowing us to grow new varietals without waiting years for new vines to mature. The result? Our first Rhône blend—Tres, a classic GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre)—was born in 2012.
Tres quickly became a fan favorite and a personal favorite of my late husband and co-founder, Mike. Blending was new to us, but with the vision of winemaker Ashley Herzberg, we discovered the beauty of Rhône-style blends—wines that are expressive, food-friendly, and endlessly intriguing.
Today, our estate-grown Rhône collection includes:
- Syrah – Smooth and approachable with brambly berries, dusty earth and dark chocolate
- Grenache – Vibrant and elegant with spice, orange peel and bright red berry notes
- Mourvèdre – Bright red cherry and orange zest
- Tres – Our signature Rhône blend that brings all three grapes together in harmony
- Rosé de Tres – A crisp, dry rosé from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre
The Sparkling Rhône Revolution at Amista
Our love for Rhône wines didn’t stop at still wines. In 2008, we ventured into sparkling with our first Sparkling Syrah, a bold, cranberry-hued rosé that shimmered with joy and broke the mold of traditional sparkling wine expectations.
Winemaker Ashley was skeptical at first—until she tasted it. Since then, we’ve expanded our sparkling program to include five Rhône-inspired sparkling wines, all made using the traditional method, right here in Healdsburg:
- Sparkling Syrah – The original cult favorite, bright and festive
- Sparkling Grenache – Delicate, fresh, and always in high demand
- Sparkling Mataró – Made from 100% Mourvèdre, rich and savory
- Sparkling Tres – A bubbly take on our GSM blend
- Fusión – A unique blend of Chardonnay, Syrah, and Grenache
These wines are more than sparkling—they’re expressions of creativity and celebration. Rhône-style sparkling wines pair beautifully with a wide range of foods, from spicy Thai to savory duck, and are just as at home on a holiday table as at a casual gathering with friends.
Why Rhône Varietals in Sonoma County?
So, why Rhône? Because they speak to us. Because they thrive in the warm days and cool nights of Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley. Because they make wines that are vibrant, expressive, and food-friendly. And most of all, because they continue to surprise and inspire us, year after year.
We didn’t set out to become champions of Rhône-style wines, but they’ve become a defining part of who we are at Amista Vineyards. From our still wines to our sparkling lineup, Rhône varietals allow us to share our story—and our passion—with every bottle.
Come taste the Rhône side of Dry Creek Valley. Explore our estate-grown Rhône wines and discover the Amista promise: distinctive wines and exceptional experiences - making your everyday moments special and your special moments extraordinary.
Still Thirsty?
Learn more about Rhone style wines at Amista and beyond:
Why Rhônes at Amista Vineyards?
What Do We Mean When We Say Rhône-style Wine?
What is a Sparkling GSM Blend?
Sparkling Syrah: A Journey Begins at Amista