"Cheers to the first name in American bubbles...Schramsberg"

There is just something magical about drinking sparkling wine...the tiny bubbles dancing in the glass just seem to make me happy.  Always during the Christmas season I seem to stock up on the stuff both at work and at home and my go to for the local favorite is Schramsberg...it never disappoints!

 The Schramsberg story begins in 1862 when Jacob Schram purchases 200 acres on Diamond Mountain, a few miles south of the town of Calistoga.  He immediately planted vines and dug underground caves for which to cellar his wine.  As he began to prosper, a lavish Victorian house was built on the property.

*Schram Victorian House

*Napa's first hillside caves

The winery continued to prosper through 1905 when Jacob Schram dies and his son, Herman inherits the business.  By 1912 the winery ceases to operate and is sold.  The story pics up when in 1965 Jack and Jamie Davies purchase the now Historically Registered Schramsberg.  Their lofty goal was to produce sparkling wine with richness and complexity, fermented in the authentic Methode Traditionnelle process, as expressive as any of the great Champagnes-delicate, yet possessing distinct individuality and style.

I have talked about the Methode sparkling wine making process before and the Schramsberg has had one special person at their disposal...meet Ramon the riddler...

Just a few of the 20th Century Schramsberg highlights...

The 1965 Blanc de Blancs was a product of the first commercial use of Chardonnay in an American sparkling wine

The 1967 Blanc de Noirs is produced using Pinot Noir according to the classic style

The 1969 Blanc de Blancs was served at the "Toast to Peace" in Beijing, between President Richard Nixon and Premier Zhou Enlai

This holiday season try adding some great American sparkling to your holiday magic...just think of Don not Dom..."Tiny bubbles in the wine...make me feel happy, make me feel fine."-Don Ho

http://www.schramsberg.com/index.html