Sparkling Sonoma: Bubbles from Your Backyard

“While sparkling wine lovers agree that the perfect time for bubbles is, well, any time, sparkling wine pairs perfectly with the holiday season.” said Erin Hunt Moore of Haute Living SF. 

"Dry Creek Valley has not traditionally been known as a sparkling wine region, but family-run Amista Vineyards took up that gauntlet and is now in its 10th year as the premiere producer of sparkling wines in the valley. Amista is owned by Mike and Vicky Farrow, with rising star winemaker Ashley Herzberg overseeing their sparkling program."

Read more about "Sparkling Sonoma: Bubbles from Your Backyard" by Erin Hunt Moore.

Nov 12, 2020 at 9:45 AM Permalink

Amista Sparkling Grenache - Chef Liza Hinman's Go to Pairing for Summer Dessert

“This recipe can be used for any combination of summer fruits and berries. I typically like to have two fruits together – often one stone fruit and one berry, which go wonderfully together,” said chef Liza Hinman of The Spinster Sisters in Santa Rosa.

Hinman’s go-to wine to pair with this dessert is Amista’s Sparkling Grenache,"

Read more about "Craving Sweets? 5 Local Chefs Share Their Summertime Dessert Recipes" by Dana Rebmann in Sonoma Magazine.

Jul 1, 2020 at 11:34 AM Permalink

You Gotta Watch This! Tasting Amista Sparkling Syrah

Watch for a bubbling surprise and then learn what Wine on the Dime has to say about our Sparkling Syrah.

"This comes out to be a very good wine. Amista Vineyards, well done!" says Stuart Bankey.

Check out Amista Vineyards Sparkling Dry Creek Valley Syrah Rosé Wine Review from Stuart's YouTube channel Wine on the Dime.

May 18, 2020 at 2:28 PM Permalink

Amista 2016 Grenache: Varietal of the Month

"Grenache is a wonderful and versatile varietal all on it’s own, but its claim to fame is its use as one of the fundamental grapes in the highly regarded French Rhone blend Châteauneuf-du-Pape." writes Marcy Gordon.

Amista 2016 Grenache Dry Creek Valley Morningsong Vineyards

Image, WineRoad

Exhibiting plum, leather, and licorice with dried strawberry on the nose, the Amista 2016 Grenache has a touch of ripe raspberry and fig on the palate with smooth lingering tannins. This Grenache shows tremendous balance with smooth medium tannins and a nice weight on the finish. I paired the Amista with an old school recipe for Chicken Marbella and it was marvelous complement to the dish, both savory and rich. An old school recipe with a new world wine made for a perfect pairing.

Read more about "Grenache: Varietal of the Month"

Apr 2, 2020 at 11:11 AM Permalink

A Female Winemaker's Guide to Sonoma, from Amista's Ashley Herzberg

"Local winemaker’ Ashley Herzberg of Amista Vineyards gave us a tour of the area's best food, wine, and sites," says Nicole Kliest in Fathom, an on-line travel magazine.

"Not surprisingly, she recommends your first stop should be at Amista. "We make estate-grown sparkling wines, the ideal way to kick off a day in Sonoma County...My favorite wine to start with is our sparkling grenache. Pale pink and crisp and made in the traditional Champagne method, it’s perfect to have in your glass while you take our self-guided vineyard tour down to the creek to see if the steelhead and coho salmon are running."

Want to know the other favorite pastimes Ashley recommends? Read "Sip Sustainably: A Female Winemakers Guide to Sonoma" in Fathom.

Feb 7, 2020 at 8:40 AM Permalink

Best Wineries to Visit in Sonoma - Amista Vineyards!

"New Year’s Eve celebrations may be over, but that’s no excuse to stop enjoying bubbly. Amista produces several types of sparklers, including the popular Blanc de Blanc, made from Chardonnay grapes from the estate vineyard, and a Syrah sparkler. Amista is also known for its still Rhône wines, such as Grenache and Syrah," says Sonoma Magazine.

Read Best Sonoma Wineries to Visit Right Now by Jean Saylor Doppenberg.

Jan 10, 2020 at 10:53 AM Permalink

Amista Sparkling Syrah: Varietal of the Month

"Nothing makes an occasion more festive than Sparkling Wine. The pop of the cork, the rise of tiny bubbles and the gentle whoosh of foam in the glass—it’s romantic and special. But sparkling wines are not just for holidays and celebrations, they are also a fine choice for everyday meals and pair exceptionally well with a variety of foods." writes Marcy Gordon.

Amista Sparkling Syrah Dry Creek Valley Morningsong Vineyards

Image, WineRoad

Simply gorgeous deep ruby-cranberry color, with a fine bead and soft strawberry mousse nose. Luscious yet lithe on the palate with citrus and berry notes that float towards a delicate quince and orange finish that is zesty, balanced and alive with flavor. Pair with crab cakes or fresh fruit and cheese.

Read more about "Sparkling Wine: Varietal of the Month"

Dec 4, 2019 at 2:46 PM Permalink

Savoring Sonoma at Amista Vineyards

"...Anyone who knows me or follows me on Twitter knows how deep my love for Sonoma runs. It is my favorite vacation spot and somewhere I hope to live someday. The people are some of the most real, caring, down-to-Earth that I have met anywhere in my travels around the US, and the landscapes are some of the most uniquely exquisite ones ever. " writes Christopher Browke.

Sensual Sparkling Red at Amista Vineyards

"Amista just reminds me of a classy, yet down-to-Earth family picnic. Their grounds are charmingly rustic with your arrival being marked by the iconic yellow umbrella." 

     Image, Christopher Browke

Read more about "Savoring Sonoma"

Nov 6, 2019 at 1:59 PM Permalink

Amista Ilusión - Sweet Wine for People Who Don't Think They Like Sweet Wines

"Just don’t call them dessert wines. While many of them are delicious with dessert, they are often just as transcendent with savory dishes. Foie gras with Sauternes, stilton with Port—there’s a reason that these are among the most classic food and wine pairings you’ll ever experience," writes Brian Freedman in Food and Wine.

He describes our Amista Ilusión from Dry Creek Valley as "A complex blend of Zinfandel and Syrah, it has aromas of sweet cigar tobacco, dried blueberries, and cedar, and a concentrated palate that carries flavors of black cherries, baker’s chocolate, and Chinese five-spice powder."  

Read "10 Sweet Wines for People Who Don't Think They Like Sweet Wine" in Food and Wine.

Oct 18, 2019 at 7:55 AM Permalink

7 Hot Tips for Stomping Grapes

If This is on Your Bucket List

I'll let you in on what I learned about stomping grapes from Amista winemaker Ashley Herzberg.

1. They’re COLD! We harvest our grapes in the early morning hours for two reasons. One, it’s easier for the workers before the temperatures rise during the day. Two, it’s better to bring the grapes in when they’re cold to control the sugar levels and avoid oxidation. It’s not so comfy for the stomper and my feet got a bit numb.

2. They hurt your feet. You’re stomping on whole clusters of grapes - stems included - not just the berries. The good news is that after a few minutes, your feet quit hurting because they’re numb!

3. You don’t really stomp. In fact, our winemaker calls it “foot treading” not grape stomping. The idea is to gently tread on the grapes to extract the color. Plus, the pressure of human force is gentle enough so that the seeds won't break which creates bitterness in the wine.

4. It’s hard to keep your balance. The clusters are lumpy and as you tread first one foot then the other sinks into the juice.

5. It’s hard work! In fact, it’s a great cardio workout.

6. It’s sticky. You’ll want to turn the hose on your feet and legs when you finish just like you did – hopefully - before you started.

7. It’s fun! It’s also rewarding to use a traditional, natural technique to kick off the fermentation process.

Oct 7, 2019 at 12:50 PM Permalink