Schramsberg Vineyards
Napa Valley's pioneering traditional-method sparkling house, founded in 1862 and revived in 1965 by the Davies family.
About Schramsberg
Schramsberg Vineyards traces its origins to 1862, when German immigrant Jacob Schram established the first hillside winery in Napa Valley and carved cellars into the volcanic rock. After decades of dormancy, the property was revived in 1965 by Jack and Jamie Davies, who chose to make serious sparkling wine by the traditional Champagne method, an unusual ambition in 1960s Napa. Their Blanc de Blancs and later Blanc de Noirs set a new standard for American bubbly, and a 1969 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs famously poured at President Nixon's 1972 toast in Beijing, the first American wine served at such a state occasion. Built chiefly on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the wines are aged in the historic caves and prized for their finesse. The family continues to lead the estate, with Hugh Davies, son of the founders, serving as CEO; production today runs around 85,000 cases.
Flagship wines
- Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs
- Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs
- Schramsberg J. Schram
Editorial notes
Made in the traditional method like Champagne; the Blanc de Blancs is a classic aperitif and a natural pairing with oysters and other shellfish.