(0) | $0.00

Amista Vineyards

News from Amista Vineyards

Amista Vineyards
 
November 29, 2022 | Amista Vineyards

Dog Friendly Wine Tasting Near Healdsburg

Happy Couple and Dogs at Amista Vineyards

Wow! We are proud to be among so many wineries in Sonoma County who welcome our furry friends. “Finding dog-friendly wineries in these parts isn't all that ruff,” exclaims Dana Rebmann in SFGate. Her article lists dozens of Sonoma wineries that welcome pooches and their pet parents. The article continues, “A slew of Sonoma wineries not only welcome, but look forward to meeting the pampered pooches of their guests.”

Amista Has Always Been Dog Friendly

We have always looked forward to welcoming dogs to Amista, with water bowls sprinkled around the solar covered patio and a jar of treats behind the bar. As owners, we live on the property and love walking our dogs around the vineyard. Torin and Dylan, our two Sheltie males, especially love to make a stop at the tasting room to meet the other dogs who may be visiting. And friendly doesn’t stop at dogs. Amista means “making friends” and we pride ourselves on a warm welcome for each and every one of our guests.

And Amista Has Sparkling Wines!

The description of Amista reads, “Dogs can enjoy the good life at this Healdsburg winery, lounging by their human’s side on the patio. Still and sparkling wine is available for tasting at Amista and reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.” Although there are many dog-friendly wineries on the list, Amista is one of the very few that offers sparkling wine tasting! We love introducing our lineup of estate grown, Methode Champenoise sparkling wines to our guests.

Plus Amista Has Rhône Wines!

All our Rhône wines are grown in the estate vineyards that surround the solar covered patio, where you can sit back, sip and enjoy the views. Although the dogs seem oblivious to it, the humans enjoy the change of pace from the usual Cabernet, Pinot and Zinfandel flights offered at other Sonoma wineries. We have a selection of Rhône varieties, a sensational Rhône blend we call Tres and unique Rhône sparkling wines, along with a more traditional Blanc de Blanc.

But That’s Now All – A Romp in the Vineyard for the Dogs

The dogs surely won’t be oblivious to a walk around the vineyards while their humans partake in a self-guided vineyard tour. Grab a map and stop at each of the signs to learn about the grapes we grow, our commitment to sustainable farming, the habitat project designed to restore the natural environment for the Coho salmon and Steelhead trout in Dry Creek, and the 200-year-old heritage oak tree.

Check out the whole list at "These Sonoma wineries welcome pooches and their pet parents" by Dana Rebmann in SFGate.

And on your next trip to Healdsburg in Sonoma County, we invite you – with or without your best friends – to Taste with Us.

Time Posted: Nov 29, 2022 at 4:00 PM Permalink to Dog Friendly Wine Tasting Near Healdsburg Permalink
Amista Vineyards
 
November 21, 2022 | Amista Vineyards

Amista Vineyards Featured on Sonoma Sparkling Wine Tour

Bottles of Sparkling Wines from Amista Vineyards
 
Thanks Sonoma.com for including Amista in your Sparkling Wine Guide as one of the six top places to “sample some of the best bubbly in Northern Sonoma County.” The Guide begins with, “Move over Champagne… Sonoma County is home to some pretty great sparkling wines.”
 

Move Over Champagne – Sonoma County Produces Delightful Sparkling Wines

It goes on to say, “France may have the literal trademark on Champagne, but the sparkline wines long-produced in Sonoma County are no less delicious. The northern part of the County is home to several well-known and under-the-radar producers making delightful sparkling wines in a variety of styles and grapes, from Brut Rosé to Sparkling Syrah.”
 

What is the Difference Between Sparkling Wine and Champagne?

I am often asked, ‘What is the difference between sparkling wine and Champagne?’ The simple answer is the only difference is the region where the wine is made. To be called Champagne, the bubbles must be produced in the Champagne region of France according to strict standards. For a more complete explanation, check out the “Champagne vs Sparkling Wine” in the "Sparkling 101" section on Sparkling Discoveries, my new side project showcasing all things sparkling.
 

The People Behind the Sparkle

We are proud to be among the wineries in Sonoma producing delightful sparkling wines. I love exploring, producing and sharing sparkling wine with our guests and club members. I also love connecting with other people in the world of sparkling. I have had fascinating conversations with three of the people – all women - behind some of the wineries mentioned in the Sonoma Sparkling Wine Tour, including our very own winemaker, Ashley Herzberg. Learn a few of their secrets on the Sparkling Discoveries website:
 
Joy Sterling, CEO, Iron Horse Vineyards
Penny Gadd-Coster, Winemaker, Breathless Wines
Ashley Herzberg, Winemaker, Amista Vineyards
 
Next time you’re in Sonoma County, you might want to plan a sparkling wine tour. We invite you to make Amista your first stop and Taste with Us!
Time Posted: Nov 21, 2022 at 8:00 AM Permalink to Amista Vineyards Featured on Sonoma Sparkling Wine Tour Permalink
Vicky Farrow
 
November 3, 2022 | Vicky Farrow

Let's Build a Sparkling Wine Community

Interest in sparkling wine is booming...

Sparkling Discoveries Community Launched by Amista Vineyards

...and the time is right to come together.

Have you heard the news? I am excited about the launch of Sparkling Discoveries, a brand-new community for sparkling wine producers, enthusiasts, and leaders. We went live on Global Champagne Day, which fell on October 28 this year. This is my latest project and like most things in my life, it started as a seed of an idea that germinated, blossomed and grew with the help of friends and colleagues.

I’ve been writing this blog, Sparkling Moments in Wine, for the last several years to answer the frequently asked questions about my experiences as I moved from the corporate world to becoming a winery owner and advocate for sparkling wine.

Learning the Stories of the People Behind Sparkling Wine

Anyone who knows me, knows I love bubbles, but I am equally fascinated to discover how others got involved and the twists and turns in their journeys. Sparkling Discoveries started as an idea to tell the stories of those people. Initially I was thinking of winemakers and owners of sparkling wine houses in Sonoma County.

It's a Sparkling Wine Boom!

As I kicked around the idea with friends and colleagues, we realized that we are experiencing a sparkling wine boom, made up not only of those who make sparkling wine, but other thought leaders and enthusiasts. And it isn’t just happening in Sonoma County. There are fascinating stories from all over the country and all over the world.

Let's Build a SparklingWine Community

This needed to be something more than a blog. We decided we wanted to build a sparkling community. And it needed to go beyond Sonoma County. We also realized there is no single site dedicated to sparkling wine that is brand neutral, providing information and resources on everything from what’s happening in the world of sparkling, to how it’s made and what foods pair with different kinds of sparkling wines.

So, we created a section called Sparkling 101 with some basics on the difference between Champagne and sparkling wine, how and where sparkling wines are made, and different styles and types of sparkling wines. As we get questions and ideas, we’ll add more resources. In the future we’ll add sections on wine and food pairings and events.

We are also inviting sparkling wine lovers, wine professionals, and the community at large to nominate those who are making an impact on the growth, promotion, and future of sparkling wine. Nominees can be winemakers, marketers, social media influencers, hospitality workers, winery owners, and beyond. The nomination period will be open through December 31, 2022, and individuals nominated will be celebrated online, through social media channels, a promotional campaign, and a signature event in 2023.

We’re building a community one sparkling wine enthusiast at a time. We already have nominees from Napa, the Finger Lakes region of New York, Michigan, Oregon, Paso Robles, Sacramento, Healdsburg, and a U.S. based family member representing a grower Champagne house in France.

Fascinating Stories from the People of Sparkling Wine

The centerpiece of the platform is Sparkling Conversations, in-depth profiles of sparkling wine makers, thought leaders and advocates. I’ve had the privilege to tell some remarkable stories - all different, all fascinating.

Sparkling Conversations with the People Behind the Sparkle

Owner and CEO Joy Sterling, Iron Horse Vineyards, talks about what living in Paris as a teenager taught her about life and how it ultimately led her back to joining the family sparkling wine business. She revealed her inspirations - from the creation of unique bottlings of sparkling wine, to her favorite food pairings to the way she leads her team.

Entrepreneur Bruce Lundquist, co-founder of Rack & Riddle, describes the long and winding road to founding a sparkling custom wine services business and recounts the lessons he learned in his career and what he hopes his six kids learned from his experience.

Winemaker Penny Gadd-Coster of Rack & Riddle, Breathless Wines and Pénélope Wines, describes how she eventually became a sparkling winemaker following two surprising previous careers, her unique approach to sparkling winemaking, her favorite pairings and the best and worst moments in her sparkling career.

Our own Amista Vineyards Winemaker Ashley Herzberg reveals her goals for making sparkling wines, how she hopes people will feel when they pop the cork and her fascination with grower Champagnes, including the ones she has in her fridge right now.

Kathleen Inman, Owner and Winemaker of Inman Family Wines, talks about how two continents, two degrees, two careers and a series of positive omens led her to sparkling wine.

Retired CEO and Winemaker Eileen Crane of Domaine Carneros describes her determination to make sparkling wine that started with her first taste of Champagne at a family Sunday supper and her happiest moments - the best pairings with sparkling wine, open book management and the most rewarding time in her career.

If you love sparkling wine, we invite you to join us. Here are some options:

And next time you’re in Healdsburg, come Taste With Us and explore the sparkling wines of Amista Vineyards.

Time Posted: Nov 3, 2022 at 4:00 PM Permalink to Let's Build a Sparkling Wine Community Permalink
Amista Vineyards
 
November 3, 2022 | Amista Vineyards

Amista Featured Among 7 Gorgeous Fall Color Hikes in Sonoma Wine Country

Thanks, Sonoma Magazine, for including our Vineyard Adventure walk in your list of gorgeous fall color hikes. It truly is the most glorious time of year to be in the vineyards – crisp fall air and a spectacular array of colors on the vines, from bright yellow to deep rust.

A Lively Pairing - A Vineyard Hike and Wine Tasting

“Cooler temps and colorful foliage make autumn a great time of year for hitting the trails. In Sonoma County, you can reward yourself with a glass of wine after your hike,” explains Dana Rebman. She goes on to showcase 10 wonderful hikes across Sonoma County.

A Vineyard Adventure Walk Near Healdsburg

We especially want to invite you to visit Amista Vineyards in the heart of Dry Creek Valley. Afterwards, treat yourself to a tasting of our estate grown Rhône or sparkling wines on our solar covered patio. You’ll be surrounded by same vines you just saw on your walk.

Amista’s Vineyard Adventure Features our Habitat Enhancement Project

Did you know that Amista, in partnership with the Sonoma County Winegrowers, created a vineyard walk that showcases the Habitat Enhancement Project designed to restore the natural fish habitat in Dry Creek? The flat half-mile stroll around our estate vineyards includes signs that educate walkers about the wines we make and describes the flora and fauna on the property, including the 200-year-old Heritage Oak Tree.  The walk is complimentary for all, including dogs on leash and children. This is something fun for the whole family.

Read “7 Gorgeous Fall Color Hikes in Sonoma Wine Country” by Dana Rebman in Sonoma Magazine.

We would love to welcome you to Amista Vineyards in any season. Come Taste with Us.

Time Posted: Nov 3, 2022 at 2:00 PM Permalink to Amista Featured Among 7 Gorgeous Fall Color Hikes in Sonoma Wine Country Permalink
Amista Vineyards
 
November 1, 2022 | Amista Vineyards

3 Sonoma Sparklers I Love This Holiday Season - Amista Blanc de Blanc

Amista Vineyards Sparkling Blanc de Blanc - Bottle and Glass in the Vineyards
 
We are honored that Sonoma Magazine featured Amista Vineyards Blanc de Blanc as one of wine expert Manveer Sandhu’s top three favorites! Manveer is Executive Director of Winemaking at Rack & Riddle, a custom wine services business, and oversees the production of millions of cases of sparkling wine made by hundreds of producers. That truly makes him an expert on sparkling wine in our region.
 
With so many wines to choose from, we are thrilled that he chose our Amista NV Sparkling Blanc De Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, as one of the three sparkling wines he loves for the holidays. He goes on to say, “Amista is also doing great things with different sparkling varieties, like Grenache, Syrah, and Mataró.”
 
Read “3 Sonoma Sparklers to Enjoy This Holiday Season” by Sarah Doyle in Sonoma Magazine.
 
We invite you to see for yourself and Come Taste with Us!
 

Still Thirsty?

Amista Made Its First Sparkling at Rack & Riddle in 2008

Amista has a long history with Rack and Riddle, making our first sparkling wine, a Sparkling Syrah, at their facility in Hopland in 2008 just a year after they opened their doors. That was the wine that gave us our start in Methode Champenoise sparkling wines. We have been making our wines at Rack and Riddle since then as we’ve expanded to six, soon to be seven sparkling wines.
 

Making Sparkling Wine Feasible for a Small Winery Like Amista

Ashley Herzberg, Amista winemaker, creates our wines according to her vision using the equipment and facilities at Rack and Riddle. They make it viable for a small producer like Amista to craft sparkling wines. It is almost impossible for a small winery to make the huge investment in capital equipment – from highly automated bottling, riddling and disgorging to hundreds of tanks – required to make sparkling wines using the traditional method, the same way they are made in Champagne.

Two Winemakers, Similar Paths from Medicine to Wine

It also turns out that Ashley and Manveer followed a similar path to winemaking. Wine took center stage when both were just getting started in their career journeys. The article reveals that Manveer was a pre-med student focusing on neurobiology. He landed a job in the viticulture lab at UC Davis to make extra money. “But after a few months of working in the vineyard and expanding his knowledge in the lab, Sandhu was hooked on the science of wine,” continues the article.
 
Ashley was a chemical engineering student planning to continue to medical school. After graduation, she decided to work a harvest in Sonoma County just for fun before she returned to graduate school. She too started in the lab and never looked back. She knew winemaking was where she was meant to be. I’m sure they both would have made great doctors, but we consider ourselves especially fortunate to have them in our wine community.
Time Posted: Nov 1, 2022 at 2:00 PM Permalink to 3 Sonoma Sparklers I Love This Holiday Season - Amista Blanc de Blanc Permalink

Become a friend of Amista!

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

Keep up to date on the latest wine releases, events, and promotions.