Schramsberg Vineyards is a winery located in the Napa Valley region of California. It was founded in 1965 by Jack and Jamie Davies, who purchased a property in the Diamond Mountain District of Napa Valley and planted the first Schramsberg vineyards. The winery’s first vintage was released in 1967.
Schramsberg Vineyards is known for producing high-quality sparkling wines using the traditional method of fermentation in bottle, which is the same method used to produce Champagne in France. This method involves allowing the wine to undergo a second fermentation in the bottle, which creates the bubbles that are characteristic of sparkling wines. The process is labor-intensive and requires a great deal of skill and attention to detail, but it produces sparkling wines that are renowned for their complexity, depth of flavor, and fine bubbles.
The winery’s sparkling wines are made using a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, which are grown on the estate’s vineyards. The grapes are hand-picked and carefully sorted before they are fermented in small batches. The wines are aged in the winery’s underground caves, which are dug into the hillside and kept at a consistent temperature and humidity. The aging process allows the flavors and aromas of the wine to develop and become more nuanced, and it also helps to create the fine, creamy texture that is characteristic of Schramsberg sparkling wines.
In addition to producing sparkling wines, Schramsberg Vineyards also produces a small selection of still wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery’s still wines are made using grapes grown on the estate’s vineyards and are aged in oak barrels. The oak barrels add depth and complexity to the wines, and they also contribute to the wine’s structure and mouthfeel.
Schramsberg Vineyards is a leader in the California wine industry, and its sparkling wines have received numerous accolades and awards over the years. The winery’s sparkling wines are served at many prestigious events, including state dinners at the White House, and they are enjoyed by wine lovers around the world. Visitors to the winery can take a tour and see the process of making sparkling wine firsthand, and the winery also offers tastings of its wines, which are available by appointment.
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Fumei Jackson
4 months agoWe had a nice experience at Schramsberg! The tour was both educational and engaging—we learned so much about the history and process of making their wines. Christopher was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable and passionate, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The space itself is very beautiful.
Ryan Chamblee
3 months agoThis was our 2nd visit, and we'll likely visit Shramsberg every time we return to Napa. Really great all-around tour and tasting. Our wine educator Jeff was equal parts knowledgeable and humorous, making a sometimes stuffy type of experience feel casual and fun, while still remaining very professional.
B&T Travel
4 months agoOur experience here was truly unforgettable, we cannot recommend the Wine Cave Tour enough!! The staff were extremely knowledgeable about their history, wine varietals and craftsmanship! We booked the Cave Tour with Sparkling & Red Wine Tasting, Tony was our amazing tour guide as well as our wine educator. He did an amazing job walking us through the rich history and their own unique process of making sparkling wine! The Cave Tour here at Schramsberg stood out to us the most during our entire Napa Valley trip, and we left with a sincere appreciation for all the extensive care and labor that goes into each bottle! During our tasting we tried the 2020 Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, the 2021 Brut Rosé, the 2015 J. Schram Blancs for the Sparkling. In addition to Red Wines from Davies Vineyards: the 2022 Dutton-Hallberg and 2022 Nobles Pinot Noirs as well as the 2021 McGrath Cabernet Sauvignon. All in all we truly had a memorable experience here and we can safely say that the 2015 J. Schram Blancs was the best Sparkling wine we’ve ever tried!! FYI - Please be cautious on the road up to the Tasting room, it’s a one-lane road and can be difficult to see cars coming down. Visited Schramsberg Vineyards at the end of 2024.
T. W.
5 months agoBest sparkling wine (champagne) produced in America hands down, in my opinion. Available at BevMo and TotalWine and restaurants. All sparkling wines made completely via the traditional French méthode champenoise. All bottles hand riddled, cave aged, and naturally carbonated from two fermentations. Several sparkling varieties available including regular and Rose types. Still wines also available. Unique old hand dug caves with natural lichen on the ceilings, just like traditional old wine caves. Great and informative cave tour with lots of detailed information on the production process with tasting of several different varieties at the end. Very romantic trip. Great ambiance! Great champagne quality and taste! Very informative and friendly tour!
Luc L'Ecuyer
6 months agoMy wife and I had an amazing experience at Schramsberg Vineyard! We did the cave tour, followed by a delightful wine and cheese tasting. Christopher was an exceptional guide—he took us through the rich history of the vineyard and shared fascinating insights into the wine-making process. His knowledge wasn’t just limited to Schramsberg’s incredible sparkling wines and cabs; he was also a great resource on wine-making in general. On top of that, he was kind enough to recommend other spots to visit in Napa Valley, which made our trip even better. The wines, the setting, and the hospitality were all top-notch. Highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting the area!