I have always loved Schramsberg sparkling wine! It is a magical sparkling wine that I thoroughly enjoy because of the fine bubbles! It was with great enthusiasm that I wanted to visit the winery and learn more about this fabulous wine. Schramsberg Vineyard is well known for producing a bottle of exceptional sparkling wine. Their sparkling wines are distinctive; as such, Schramsberg has been served at Presidential dinners and so much more.
– Don Ho, Hawaiian singer
What makes this sparkling wine so famous and so delicious? I am sharing the history of this fantastic bubbly with you so that you can determine for yourself why this sparkling wine is so remarkable and will become one of your favorites too!
This was enjoyed at the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach, California
A First Look
The Schramsberg House is well known for its dedication to crafting innovative flavors and aromas with its wines. I was already a huge fan before I made my trip to Calistoga to enjoy a tasting tour and to learn more about Schramsberg’s history. I planned my trip to Napa, California intending to take a tour of the winery!
Schramsberg Vineyards produces some of the most complex sparkling wines in the country. Napa Valley has several sparkling wine vineyards and tasting rooms. However, Schramsberg Vineyards earns the right to be noted as one of the favorites!
What Makes Schramsberg Sparkling Wine Individual?
Schramsberg practices centuries-old traditions that are still carried out by hand, from grape picking to stacking the bottles. Unlike other sparkling wines in the region, Schramsberg ferments its juice in oak barrels for a richer taste. In the House’s top sparkling wines, 40% of the components ferment in a barrel.
Méthode Traditionelle dictates the wine must also go through a second fermentation process inside the bottle, producing those fine bubbles that I love! The tête de Cuvee, for example, ages for at least seven or eight years in the bottle before release.
When you visit Schramsberg Vineyards, you will learn about the entire wine-making process first-hand. It is awe-inspiring to find out how much effort and time goes into producing every single bottle. With a little history, I found that I had a greater appreciation of the wine.
The Visiting Center and Tasting Room Location
I have enjoyed Schramsberg sparkling wines for years. I felt it was the time that I learned more about it, and I scheduled a tasting tour with my husband.
Everyone who visits Napa Valley and appreciates excellent sparkling wine needs to experience Schramsberg Vineyards. The property itself is a historic landmark* which is surrounded by towering trees and lavish vegetation.
*The winery was named a state historical landmark on December 31, 1956.
5StarTip🌟:
The road to the Visitor Center is very narrow and only allows for one car at a time. However, it is a beautiful road that is lovely to drive because of the vibrant, dense green foliage.
The Tours
Each tasting tour at Schramsberg Vineyard is a personal, unique experience. My husband and I were part of a group of ten, and we toured the caves and gained knowledge about the wine-making process, which ended with a fabulous sparkling sit-down wine tasting.
5StarTip🌟:
To maximize your tasting experience, abstain from using perfumes, colognes, aftershaves, or any other fragrances that affect your smell and taste receptors.
Tours offered:
First Option:
The first tour costs $70 and accommodates up to 10 guests. You begin the tour in the Visitor Center, where you will be introduced to your guide. The walls of the Visitor Center are lined with photographs of Presidents and official occasions where Schramsberg sparkling wine was served. Seeing the pictures was impressive!
Before you enter the caves, your guide will give you a brief history of the winery and the family. Then you begin walking through the 125-year-old caves where you will understand how they utilize the classic method of producing sparkling wines.
Your tour will end with a tasting of a variety of Schramsberg Vineyards and Davies Vineyards wines. The tour takes about an hour and a half.
Second Option: Tour and Tasting-All Sparkling Experience
This tour is available at 11:00 a.m. daily
This tour costs $95 per person (club members receive a significant discount and only pay $25 per person). Very similar to the first tour but the added benefit is a seated tasting of a variety of Schramsberg sparkling wines. The seating is limited to a maximum of 12 people. This tour also takes about an hour and a half.
Third Option: Tour & Tasting – Reserve Wines & Cheese Pairing:
Cost: $125 per person (club members pay $55.00 per person). After touring the caves, you will be introduced to the nuances of wine and food and how each can affect the taste of the wines. You will taste a variety of limited production sparkling and still wines paired with select cheeses. This tour is limited to 12. Allow one hour and forty-five minutes for this visit.
Available at 10:30 a.m., Monday – Saturday only
Private Tours:
There are private tours offered as well. To obtain information on how to book a private tour email Schramsberg Vineyard Visiting Center at visitorcenter@schramsberg.com.
5StarTip🌟:
My husband and I chose the “All Sparkling Experience,” a $95 tour and tasting. For all tours, it is essential to make your reservations as well in advance as possible. The tours are top-rated and may be sold out if you wait too long. For reservations: Schramsberg Vineyard Tour Reservations
On our tour, the guide led our small group through twists and turns, explaining the centuries-old methods still used. Our guide was an expert in all Schramsberg varieties and was able to answer all my questions. I might have asked a few too many questions (as I was anxious to learn), and the guide was more than willing to answer them.
Last – but not least – is ending the tour the best way possible…with tasting the bubbles! As we entered the room, the table was glistening with champagne glasses ready to be filled. After being seated, we were all given a portfolio of information about the wine we tasted to take home.
A wonderful time to introduce yourself to others in your group that share a love of sparkling wines as well. Take this time to relax and sip while your guide continues to tell you about each glass that you are tasting. A delightful opportunity to try several different Schramsberg wines.
5StarTip🌟:
My personal favorite – the 2015 Crémant Demi-sec.
What I learned On My Tour:
Situated in Northern California, you may think Schramsberg Vineyards opened its doors within the past few decades. In reality, the company dates back to 1862, when Jacob Schram bought a 200-acre property from the government in Mount Diamond.
pic credit: Scramsberg Vineyard
A Captivating History
By 1890, just 28 years after the company’s inception, Schramsberg produced 540,000 pounds of grapes, the equivalent of 28,361 cases of wine.
Like many greats, Schramsberg faced its fair share of challenges. In the early 1900s, Jacob Schram died, and his son took over the business. Seven years later, the winery ceased operations. The Schram era came to an end – but another great family took over and revived it to its current success!
pic credit: Schramsberg Vineyard
Family-Owned
In 1965, Jack and Jamie Davies purchased and restored the property and created Schramsberg as a sparkling wine company. When the couple took over the vineyard, there were only 22 bonded wineries in Napa Valley. There were also only 100 acres of California vineyards that planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The couple’s goal was to create a world-class sparkling wine utilizing the true méthode champenoise style.
In 1965, Schramsberg Vineyard was the first California winery to provide a Blanc de Blancs followed by a Blanc de Noirs in 1967.
President’s Choice
Less than ten years later, in 1972, Richard Nixon hosted a state dinner coined “Toast to Peace.” There, the staff served the Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 1969. This occasion marked the first time an American wine was served at a White House or State event. Now you can understand why this sparkling wine is beginning its reputation as being “famous.”
By the late 1990s, the Davies won the James Beard Foundation’s National Award for “Outstanding Wine and Spirits.” In 2018, Schramsberg was selected as one of the top 100 cellar selections by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, receiving a score of 97.
pic credit: Schramsberg Vineyard
Their son Hugh Davies carries on the legacy today and is the CEO of the winery’s management and winemaking team.
pic credit: Schramsberg Vineyard
Address and Location:
Schramsberg Vineyard is only a couple of miles south of the town of Calistoga and about a 45-minute drive from downtown Napa area.
Schramsberg Vineyards
1400 Schramsberg Rd, Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-4558
The Grounds and Estate:
Still on the property is the Victorian house that was built by Jacob Schram in 1875. Presently Hugh and his wife Monique still live there. The estate totals 220 acres with 43 acres of planted vines.
pic credit: Schramsberg Vineyard
Take time to walk around the estate and take in its beauty. The frog-filled ponds and moss-covered buildings all add to the beauty of this property.
Sustainability:
Be sure to catch a glimpse of the House’s newest addition, an array of 1,655 solar panels that cover nearly an acre of land. With this installation, Schramsberg Vineyards can produce enough clean energy to eliminate 466,806 pounds of CO2 each year.
pic credit: Schramsberg Vineyard
Until my visit, I didn’t realize how committed Schramsberg was to sustainability. They’re also Napa Green Certified, meaning they have to reach specific criteria to demonstrate their dedication to conserving resources and protecting the land.
What Made Schramsberg Sparkling Wine Famous:
First to be noted is that every presidential administration has served Schramsberg sparkling wines during official functions since 1972. Below is a timeline of spectacular moments serving Schramsberg Vineyard’s wines that illustrates the fame of the sparkling wine:
1972
Schramsberg served at President Nixon’s Toast to Peace with China.
1976
Blanc de Blancs (1973) served at the White House Bicentennial Dinner by President Ford for Queen Elizabeth II.
1978
The Diplome de L’Excellence Europeene, Paris was presented to Schramsberg.
1979
Cuvée de Gamay replaced with Cuvée de Pinot (using Pinot Noir grapes). Schramsberg served at State Dinner in Vienna, President Carter for Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev.
1981
Schramsberg’s 1975 Blanc de Blancs served at White House State Dinner for President Reagan honoring British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Crémant Demi-Sec (1979) served at White House State Dinner for President Reagan honoring King Juan Carlos of Spain and, later, honoring Prime Minister Suzuki of Japan.
1983
Vintage 1980 Blanc de Blancs served at dinner at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park honoring Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
1985
State Dinner at The White House with Schramsberg Cuvée de Pinot served for Prince Charles and Princess Diana of Great Britain.
1987
Schramsberg served at an official banquet in San Francisco honoring Pope John Paul II.
1990
Schramsberg 1986 Crémant Demi-Sec served at the luncheon to honor President Mikhail Gorbachev at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco.
1994
Crémant Demi-sec served at dinner for the 30th Anniversary of Special Olympics featuring President and Mrs. Bill Clinton, Whoopie Goldberg, Jon Bon Jovi, Eric Clayton, and Sheryl Crow.
2001
White House State Dinner for President Fox of Mexico featuring 1997 Crémant Demi-sec
2007
Schramsberg’s 2005 Brut Rosé is served at the White House State Dinner honoring Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
2008
NASA Astronaut Ken Ham pilots the Space Shuttle Discovery on its 26th mission to the International Space Station with Schramsberg labels and corks in his pocket. The 2000 J. Schram Rosé is released, marking the second offering of this signature vintage wine.
2011
Schramsberg served at President Obama’s State Dinner for German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Schramsberg served at President Nixon’s Toast to Peace with China.
Final Thoughts:
My visit to Schramsberg Vineyards left me more appreciative of both the wine-making process and the House’s commitment to excellence. It is obvious why Schramsberg sparkling wine has been chosen to be served at various official functions for every presidential administration since 1972. Once you have had the opportunity to taste one of their sparkling wines, you will understand precisely what makes Schramsberg so exceptional!
Cheers to Schramsberg, a famous Always5Star California sparkling wine! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
About Pamela Rossi
I am passionate about travel and taking each moment and making it a five star experience. My goal is to create those experiences for YOU!
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