San Luis Obispo Coastal Wine Region Boasts 15 Sparkling Wine Producers
Did you know there are over 80 sparkling wine producers in San Luis Obispo County? And we have 14 right here on the SLO Coast Wine Trail!
An excerpt from Cali Coast Wine Country Sparkling Wine Maps (sparkling wine maps of all producers in Santa Barbara and SLO County):
“California Sparkling Wine can’t be called Champagne—it’s not from the Champagne region of France—but much of the SLO Coast Sparkling Wine is made in the same méthode traditionelle used in Champagne.”
Check out these local sparkling wine producers in the SLO Coast Wine region, listed in order from north to south.
Northern SLO Coast Sparkling Wines
1. Derby Wine Estates in Paso Robles
Derby Wine Estates is located in downtown Paso Robles, but their Derbyshire vineyard is a few miles from the coast. This is where they grow their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Syrah. The Sparkling Wine is made from this Pinot Noir, and is available in a lovely aged version: 2007 Sparkling Brut Rosé of Pinot Noir.
2. Niner Wine Estates in Paso Robles
Niner’s new Sparkling Wine release, the 2019 Brut Cuvée, is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, made in the Methode Traditionnelle. They only sell their Sparkling Wines by the bottle, and have the following sparklers in stock:
- 2015 Brut Rose, 100% Pinot Noir
- 2016 Cuvee Brut Nature, 76% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonny
- 2017 Blanc De Noirs, 100% Pinot Noir
From Niner: “The cool climate and ocean influence at Jespersen Ranch provides a remarkable setting for Sparkling Wine. We use the ‘Méthode Traditionnelle’ which is how the great Champagnes of France are made.”
3. Cutruzzola Vineyards in Cambria
Cutruzzola makes several sparkling wines—in such small-batch quantities that they don’t have them year-round. Right now, get their 2020 Lisa Marie Blanc de Noir. It’s made from Pinot Noir sourced from their Riven Rock Vineyard in Cambria and Stone Corral Vineyard in Edna Valley. Fine bubbles elevate aromas of red-fruited Pinot Noir. On the palate, interesting tropical fruits emerge and are paired with lively acidity.
Cutruzzola also makes a Sparkling Riesling Pétillant Naturel, or Pét Nat. When this is available, it is for wine club only.
San Luis Obispo Urban Sparkling Wines
4. Stephen Ross Wine Cellars in San Luis Obispo
This 2019 Blanc De Noir is Steve’s first venture into sparkling wine, and in classic style he went Méthode Traditionelle and the wine is lean and clean. It is perfect for the holidays! Buy it at the Stephen Ross Wine Cellars tasting room in San Luis Obispo.
Edna Valley Sparkling Wines
5. Baileyana in Edna Valley
Baileyana Wines has a sparkler out for the holidays: Brut Rose 100% Pinot Noir. The 2018 Baileyana Brut Rose is fresh and fruity and with hints of red berries and candy fruit. Balanced structure, richness, and elegance.
6. Wolff Vineyards in Edna Valley
Wolff’s 2018 cuvée is produced in the traditional methode. Wolff Vineyards pressed Chardonnay grapes with early ripeness from their estate vineyard’s 45 year-old vines. This is rare in California!
Wolff also released a 2020 Brut Rosé Sparkling wine. This bubbly is made in the méthode champenoise from their estate-grown Pinot Noir block. It has wonderful, fruity strawberry notes with abundant tiny bubbles.
7. Saucelito Canyon in Edna Valley
Saucelito Canyon produces a diverse selection of Zinfandels and Zinfandel blends, along with vibrant aromatic whites and crisp, refreshing rosés. What truly sets them apart is their renowned 145-year-old 1880 Vineyard, a historic site known for yielding some of the finest old vine Zinfandel in all of California. They also create lovely Sparkling Wines in different styles, one for wine club, and one for all of us to enjoy.
8. Biddle Ranch Vineyard in Edna Valley
Biddle Ranch also has traditional-style non-vintage sparkling wine, made entirely from Chardonnay grown in Edna Valley, year-round.
“This wine could easily be called a Blanc de Blancs: the classic Champagne style made only from white wine grapes in the Champagne region of France. This wine should satisfy any Champagne lover with its yeasty notes, flavors of tart green apple, fine bubbles, and crisp, elegant finish. It’s clean, with just a hint of almond, and absolutely delicious.” —Cali Coast Wine Country
9. Center of Effort in Edna Valley
Center of Effort has a Sparkling Rosé from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir called EFFORTVESENCE – the first Méthode Traditionelle sparkling wine from Center of Effort. This exceptional wine, over two years in the making, perfectly highlights our estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes and continues our commitment to quality wines and sustainable farming here in the Edna Valley.
From the winery: “Pale pink in color with small persistent bubbles, EFFORTvesence is clean and modern in style, showing freshness and energy. Green apple, pomegranate and floral notes finishing lively and fresh on the palate.”
10. Chamisal Vineyards in Edna Valley
Chamisal Vineyards makes a traditional sparkling wine, produced in a lightly oxidative style. It features notes of honey, apples, citrus zest and white flowers on the nose. On the palate, the wine is fresh, zippy, and bright with layers of pear and biscuit notes and a slick of minerality on the finish that serves as a reminder of the calcareous soils found in our estate that are not too dissimilar to the limestone and chalk soils found in Champagne. Try it at the winery with caviar!
Southern SLO Coast Sparkling Wines
11. Sinor-Lavallee in Avila Beach
At Sinor-Lavallee, Mike Sinor has been making sparkling wine in the pét-nat method since 2016, when he released his first Ancestrale, named after this age-old method of making bubblies. Each year, you can find something different and fun as Mike experiments with all natural frizzante sparklers.
The original Ancestral Pét-Nat Sparkling Pinot Noir is sometimes available, and the latest sparkler is 2022 Pét-Nat Sparkling Pinot Noir – a Rosé sparkling wine this time! This is available only in the tasting room.
Before that, the 2020 Soirée Du Gris was made from Pinot Gris in the spirit of vinho verde (this means it was picked early, when the grapes are almost still green) and delivers crispness to the palate, with flavors of green apple, pear and jasmine. He also makes a classic Champagne-style sparkler, called the Non Vintage Eclipse 137.
12. Talley Vineyards in Arroyo Grande
Talley Vineyards has just released their 2019 Blanc de Blancs, a testament to the art of winemaking and a celebration of the humble Chardonnay grape transformed into something truly extraordinary. With every bottle of the 2019 Blanc de Blancs you’ll be transported to the sunlit slopes of Oliver’s Vineyard, where every grape is kissed by the Pacific Ocean breeze and the California sun.
In the past, they have also released a pét-nat. This naturally sparkling wine, hand-crafted using the ancestral method, completes fermentation in bottle, producing a bubbly and rustic expression of our sense of place. The 2021 vintage is made from Grüner Veltliner grapes grown in sandy soils of the Edna Valley, just miles from the ocean.
13. Timbre Winery in Arroyo Grande
A Central Coast winery known for crafting balanced, expressive wines, Timbre Winery takes its name from the musical term that describes the unique quality or “color” of sound. Just as timbre distinguishes one voice from another singing the same song, Timbre believes that no two winemakers will create the same wine—even when working with the same vineyard.
As a terroir-driven winery, Timbre focuses on producing wines that reflect the character of the specific places and moments from which they originate. The winemaking team brings their own perspective and expertise to each vintage, adding a personal signature—their timbre—to every bottle. They make 2 Prosecco-style Sparkling Wines, the Charmat method used in the famous Italian bubbles.
14. Laetitia Vineyards & Winery
At Laetitia Vineyard & Winery, the team is dedicated to crafting premium estate wines that highlight the unique character of the Arroyo Grande Valley. Nestled in Southern San Luis Obispo County, the coastal estate offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. While Laetitia originally gained recognition for its Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines—of which seven distinct styles are still produced today—the winery is now equally celebrated for its meticulously handcrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Laetitia now has 6 Sparkling Wines to offer:
- NV Brut Cuvee Sparkling Wine
- 2021 Sparkling Brut de Blancs
- 2021 Sparkling Brut de Noirs
- 2021 Sparkling Brut Coquard
- 2021 Sparkling Cuvee M
- 2017 Sparkling Brut Reserve
