Dog Friendly Wine Tasting Near Healdsburg

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.

Nov 29, 2022 at 4:00 PM Permalink

Amista Vineyards Featured on Sonoma Sparkling Wine Tour

Move Over Champagne – Sonoma County Produces Delightful Sparkling Wines

What is the Difference Between Sparkling Wine and Champagne?

The People Behind the Sparkle

Nov 21, 2022 at 8:00 AM Permalink

Let's Build a Sparkling Wine Community

Interest in sparkling wine is booming...

...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.

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:

• Check out the Sparkling Discoveries website
• Subscribe to our news
• Nominate someone who is making an impact on sparkling wine
• Contact us with your questions, feedback and ideas

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

Nov 3, 2022 at 4:00 PM Permalink

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.

Nov 3, 2022 at 2:00 PM Permalink

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

Still Thirsty?

Amista Made Its First Sparkling at Rack & Riddle in 2008

Nov 1, 2022 at 2:00 PM Permalink