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 15 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 also 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. Stolo Vineyards in Cambria
Master sommelier Raj Parr, proprietor of Stolo Vineyards, also makes various labels in his Parr Collective: Phelan Farm, Brij, and Scythian Wines. Phelan Farm makes a Pétillant Naturel of Gamay & Pinot Noir from the coastal vineyard adjacent to Stolo’s property.
“Another style many winemakers use is pétillant naturel, or natural bubbles, and is the oldest (and easiest) way to make sparkling wine—also called méthode ancestrale. Pét-nats differ from traditional Champagne production in that the wine is bottled before the fermentation is complete (so only 1 fermentation happens, partially in the bottle), no sugar or yeast is added for a second fermentation, and it’s usually unfiltered, and can be made from a multitude of grape varieties. It also takes a much shorter time than the traditional method, meaning more winemakers can get in on the bubbly action. Pét-nat’s bubbles typically don’t last as long as traditional sparkling wine, and the flavors can be all over the map, instead of the classic style and flavor profile you get from the traditional method.” —Cali Coast Wine Country Sparkling Wine Maps
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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.
7. 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.
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. Claiborne & Churchill in Edna Valley
Claiborne & Churchill has released their 40th anniversary cuvée, a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Edna Valley made in the traditional Méthode Champenoise. They also released their first pét-nat, made from Riesling, in the past. Look for more in the future!
10. Piedra Creek in Edna Valley
This Sparkling Lagrein Rosé pét-nat was released at Piedra Creek’s estate vineyard tasting area or online. Let’s hope they make more soon!
Tasting Notes from the winery: Abundant aromas of strawberry, guava and exotic fruits. Hints of red berry supported by bright, well-balanced acidity comprise the body, followed by a clean crisp finish. This is made in such small quantities, it’s not available right now. Watch for some next year!
11. 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.”
12. 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
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Timbre Winery in Arroyo Grande
Timbre Winery makes 2 new Prosecco-style Sparkling Wines, the Charmat method used in the famous Italian bubbles.