News from Amista Vineyards
Amista Sparkling Syrah - One of the Best 2022 Rosé Wines
When the JetSettingFashionista picks you as one of the “The Best 2022 Rosé Wines I’m Loving”, you know you’ve arrived! She describes our Amista Sparkling Syrah as “aromas of freshly picked raspberry and orange blossom leave the perfect bright taste on the palette.”
We call is simply, “Joy in a Bottle!"
It Started as a Class Project
We first made our Sparkling Syrah in 2008 and it’s been a cult favorite ever since. Other than our club members and frequent visitors, it is still a best kept secret. That was the bubbly that launched us on our journey into sparkling. It started out as a class project at Santa Rosa Junior College, and it was so good and so beautiful in the bottle we decided we had to make it.
Six Estate Grown Sparkling Wines
We now make six different sparkling wines, all from grapes grown on our estate vineyards, and all using the traditional Methode Champenoise. The post says, “Amista Vineyards produces some of the best rosé wines right here in Healdsburg, California.” We are honored to be on the list!
Our other sparkling wines include Blanc de Blanc, Sparkling Grenache, Sparkling Mataró, Fusión (a blend of Chardonnay, Grenache and Mourvèdre), and our newly debuted Sparkling Tres (a GSM rosé blend). We love bubbles and we are the only winery in Dry Creek Valley with an all-sparkling wine club.
Plus Limited Edition Rosés
In addition to our sparkling rosés, we also have two limited edition still rosé wines this year, a Rosé of Grenache and a Rosé de Tres, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. We made only 68 precious cases of each.
Rosés with Food
We love to have a chilled rosé with our favorite summer meal, linguine con pesto (made with basil, fresh from the winemaker’s garden) topped with wedges of just picked tomatoes. Now that is summer!
The Sparkling Syrah can stand up to heartier flavors, including spicy foods. It’s wonderful with sushi and spicy Chinese or Thai dishes. We even love it with taco salad, which is another of our easy summer weeknight meals. And did we mention the holidays? It not only goes with all the dishes on the holiday table, but it adds a festive pop of color and refreshing brightness to any occasion.
We invite you to Come Taste With Us and get in on the secret of our Sparkling Syrah, along with our other sparkling wines and red Rhône wines.
Check out “The Best 2022 Rosé Wines I’m Loving” to see all the delightful rosés on the list.
Jun 12, 2022 at 2:00 PM
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Dog Friendly Wineries Near Healdsburg - Amista Vineyards
Two Kinds of Dog Lovers for Wine Tasting
We have two kinds of dog lovers at Amista. Which one are you?
The first lives a car ride away, loves wine, wants to explore new wineries, or return to their favorites, loves their dog, and hates to leave him or her at home…so they bring them along. They are welcome at Amista!
The second comes from afar, loves wine, wants to explore new wineries, or return to their favorites, loves their dog, and hates to leave them at home, but couldn’t bring them and misses them terribly. They are welcome at Amista!
For the dogs we offer fresh water – current vintage – and doggie treats. For the humans who miss thier dogs, we offer ours for petting and loving, when we visit the tasting room on our daily walk.
Dog Friendly Wineries in Sonoma County
If you’re visiting Sonoma wine country, you’re in luck. There are several wineries that are dog friendly. Amista was featured along with our dog friendly neighbors in “18 Best Dog-Friendly Wineries in Sonoma County” in Sonoma Magazine.
Amista Dogs Dylan and Torin
Our dogs, Dylan and Torin (both Shetland Sheepdogs or Shelties for short), love to visit our tasting room on their daily walks. They especially love to meet other dogs. Once they’ve made the rounds of the visiting canines, they greet the human guests. We can always tell when people are missing their dogs at home because they are eager to say hello to our pups.
“Several Sonoma County wineries are now welcoming visitors to pair vino with Fido in ways which both dog-owners and dogs can appreciate: fine wine and artisan bites for “Mommy” and “Daddy,” and treats, vineyard sprints and bowls of water for the beloved pooch,” the article goes on to say.
Vineyard Adventure Walk – for Dogs and Their Humans
Our self-guided vineyard tour is another attraction that is perfect for dogs and their owners. You can breathe the fresh air as you explore our vineyards on a self-guided Vineyard Adventure Walk, created in partnership with the Sonoma County Winegrowers. See the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Chardonnay varieties we grow, learn about the wines we make from them and discover our backwater pond that is part of the Habitat Enhancement Project designed to restore the natural fish habitat in Dry Creek. The complimentary walk is approximately one-half mile on flat terrain. Dogs on a leash and children are welcome.
Discover Estate Grown Sparkling and Rhône Wines
“After taking a self-guided tour of the property with your dog, taste Amista's sparkling and still wines on the patio,” says the writer. We are the only winery in Healdsburg to offer a selection of sparkling Rhône wines as well as a Blanc de Blanc made from our Chardonnay grapes. If red is more your style, order our Taste of Amista flight and enjoy a selection of our Rhône reds, Dry Creek Zinfandel or Rockpile Cabernet.
Friendly Vibe, Gorgeous Views
Amista means “making friends” in Spanish and you can be assured of a warm welcome and a friendly experience. Sit on our solar covered patio surrounded by our estate vineyards and gaze out at the gorgeous Dry Creek Valley hillsides.
If you’re planning a visit to Sonoma, with or without your dog, come Taste With Us at Amista Vineyards, Healdsburg, California in the heart of Dry Creek Valley.
Check out 18 Dog Friendly Wineries in Sonoma County in Sonoma Magazine.
Jun 8, 2022 at 12:20 PM
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Wine and Food Festival Tips - Make It Magical!
My Top Ten Tips
...based on 20 years of Passport to Dry Creek Valley, the premiere wine and food festival in Sonoma County
I know I’m hopelessly partial, but my favorite wine festival happens right here in Healdsburg, California – where we live. It’s called Passport to Dry Creek Valley® and even before we lived here and started our own winery, we loved Passport. Now we are hosts. I’ve learned a lot about wine events over the years being on both sides and asking the veterans who attend year after year.
Wine festivals can be magical weekends shared with a special person or a whole group of friends. Here are my tips for how to make them remarkable. But first…
What is a wine festival?
A wine festival is an event featuring wine tasting from many wineries all included for a single ticket. The event often showcases a wine growing region or varietal. I am partial to the ones that also include food. And I love the chance to meet the winemaker and owners.
There are two main formats. The first takes place all in one location. The second enables participants to travel from winery to winery.
The focus of this post will be on events where participants visit the wineries. This is my clear choice since you can discover the personality of each winery by seeing it in its natural habitat – whether it be a warehouse, an urban storefront or surrounded by vineyards and breathtaking views.
So Why Go to a Wine Festival?
The logical reason is that it’s an opportunity to visit and taste the wines of many wineries with just one ticket. But for me, the real draw is that these events are elevated from the everyday and have a festive atmosphere, which makes the perfect inspiration for a memorable getaway weekend.
Most festivals also include something you won't find by visiting at other times, special wine and food pairings, entertainment, education, barrel tastings, opportunities to meet the winemakers and owners, or access to wineries not generally open for tasting.
Here are my Top 10 Tips
1. Choose the event that’s right for you.
Where and what time of year? You might want to explore a region you've never visited. Wine festivals are held in all parts of the world. On the other hand, we know people who have fallen in love with a particular wine region or event and return every year.
What matches your style and budget? Some events include inspired food pairings by acclaimed chefs along with entertainment. Others are laid back and offer small bites or encourage you to bring a picnic.
2. Leverage your wine club memberships.
3. Go with people you really enjoy.
Some people like to attend with one special person - a spouse, a partner, a best friend. We have one couple that comes from New Jersey every year. Others like to get a group of friends or family together and make it a special occasion weekend. A group of seven couples comes every year for their annual wine buying weekend. You're going to be spending a lot of time together, so be sure you're compatible traveling companions!
4. Book your lodging early.
Event weekends bring thousands of people into the area and lodging is booked well in advance. Our regular Passport guests usually book next year's lodging while they're in town for this year's event. The event organizers often provide a list of local lodgings or if you're a club member of a participating winery, they can generally recommend places to stay.
5. Take advantage of ancillary events.
6. Know what you like and plan accordingly.
7. Explore - go to some wineries you've never visited.
8. Ask for suggestions.
9. Pace yourselves.
Minimize driving time by optimizing your route. Either plan it out in advance or drop in to several wineries in the same area.
10. Book a driver.
2022 Passport to Dry Creek Valley
We were overjoyed to host Passport this year after a two-year hiatus. The guests seemed even more ecstatic to be back. The mood was festive and friendly. We featured two of our estate-grown Rhône inspired wines, a 2020 Grenache and 2018 Syrah. They were both big hits. A huge “hunk” of Parmesan, aged 24 months, made a great partner with the Grenache. And the Syrah was the perfect match for braised shortribs with polenta, from our wood fired oven.
For our club members and declared sparkling lovers, we offered entry to the “bubble lounge” where our guests could try the newest addition to our collection of sparkling gems, Sparkling Tres. It is made from three Rhône varieties, Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
Amista Vineyards
Vicky and Mike Farrow
If you come to any of the wine events in our area, we invite you to visit Amista just outside the charming town of Healdsburg, California. We’ll be standing out front welcoming you or meandering through the crowd.
Or come Taste with Us any time!
Jun 2, 2022 at 6:40 PM
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