2008 Schramsberg Jones Vineyard Brut

Schramsberg Vineyards is one of California’s most historic wine producers. Located a few miles south of Calistoga, the estate was founded in 1862 by Jacob Schram, a German immigrant who came from a winemaking family along the Rhine River. By the end of the 19th century Schram’s California estate was producing wines that were acclaimed in New York and elsewhere. In the 20th century the estate changed hands several times, then Jack Davies and his wife Jamie purchased it in 1965 with the idea of making sparkling wine. By the 1970s the Davies’ sparkling wines were considered so exceptional that they were served at the White House. Schramsberg is now run by Hugh Davies, Jack and Jamie’s youngest son. Besides a full line of sparkling wines, the estate also produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.

Carneros AVA, also known as Los Carneros, is at the southern end of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys at the top of the San Francisco Bay. The 8,000 vineyard acres are mostly planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, both of which thrive in the district’s cool, marine climate. Carneros became an AVA in 1983 and it has attracted foreign wine companies along with local producers. It has been especially appealing to European producers of sparkling wines including the giant Spanish cava producers Codorniu and Frexinet, and the French Champagne house Taittinger. Codorniu in Carneros is called Artesa, and Frexinet’s Carneros brand is Gloria Ferrer. Taittinger calls its Carneros winery Domaine Carneros. The European producers also make still wines in Carneros.