Local Sparkling Wine & Champagne for the Holidays

Valley View Estates at Rice Ranch are nestled in the heart of the Santa Maria Valley wine-growing region, which is part of the renowned Santa Barbara Wine Country. Within a 20-minute drive from Orcutt, you can explore numerous wine-tasting opportunities, including Santa Maria wineries, Foxen Canyon, Los Alamos, and areas stretching north to Arroyo Grande. Additionally, Santa Barbara County boasts over 75 sparkling wine producers, offering an abundance of Champagne-style bubbly wines conveniently close to Rice Ranch.

Outdoor picnic area with yellow umbrellas and benches.

Laetitia Vineyard & Winery on CentralCoastBubbles.com

Here is an excerpt from Cali Coast Wine Country Sparkling Wine Maps (sparkling wine maps of all producers in Santa Barbara and SLO County):

California Sparkling Wine can’t be called Champagne—it’s not from the Champagne region of France—but much of the Santa Barbara County Sparkling Wine is made in the same méthode traditionelle, or méthode champenoise, used in Champagne.
Another style many winemakers use is pétillant naturel, or natural bubbles, and is the oldest (and easiest) way to make sparkling wine—also called méthode ancestrale. Pét-Nats differ from traditional Champagne production in that the wine is bottled before the fermentation is complete (so only 1 fermentation happens, partially in the bottle), no sugar or yeast is added for a second fermentation, and it’s usually unfiltered, and can be made from a multitude of grape varieties. It also takes a much shorter time than the traditional method, meaning more winemakers can get in on the bubbly action. Pét-nat’s bubbles typically don’t last as long as traditional sparkling wine, and the flavors can be all over the map, instead of the classic style and flavor profile you get from the traditional method. Read more about methods of making Bubbles.
—Liz Dodder, Central Coast Bubbles

Check out these Central Coast sparkling wine producers near Rice Ranch in Orcutt.

Closest: Presqui’le Winery

Presqui’le Winery‘s Non-Vintage Brut Cuvee Sparkling wine is produced in the traditional méthode champenoise in-house at Presqui’le, just fouor miles from Rice Ranch. It’s crisp and clean, made from 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir. It was fermented & aged for five months, and has that apply, brioche toasty flavor that you expect from Champagne. They also make other beautiful Sparkling Wines that are for club members only:

2019 Blanc de Blancs Sparkling
2019 Brut Cuveé Sparkling
2019 Sparkling Rosé

Most: Riverbench Winery

Winery garden and champagne bottle on table.

Riverbench Winery produces eight different sparklers! They are also the only Champagne maker on the Central Coast to make a 100% Pinot Meunier sparkling wine from their own estate Pinot Meunier grapes. (In the Champagne of France, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier are the main grapes for sparkling wines, and Riverbench specializes in all three.)

2017 Demi Sec – This off-dry sparkling has an attractive and pleasant palate of apple and pear.
2017 Blanc de Noirs – Deep, complex, and suitable for special occasions.
2018 Blanc de Blancs – Soft and lush, yet bright and fresh, this traditionally made sparkler is a beauty.
2018 Brut Rosé – Light, fresh, and fruity, this wine is perfect for a warm, sunny day. Pairs nicely with a picnic basket.
2018 Extra Brut – Super dry, fresh, clean.
2019 Cork Jumper Cuvee – A unique and delicious blend of the three main grapes used in Champagne, France: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
2017 Reserve Blanc de Blancs – An extended tirage and extra time in barrel make this the most oxidized sparkling in our lineup, with hints of toasted hazelnut and marzipan.
2018 Sparkling Pinot Meunier – Santa Barbara County’s only sparkling Pinot Meunier exhibits a stunning palate of berry, caraway, and a touch of yeast.

Oldest: Laetitia Vineyard & Winery

Wine tasting at outdoor vineyard with umbrellas.

Laetitia Vineyard & Winery has the oldest heritage of sparkling wine on the Central Coast, having planted the estate estate vineyards were planted in 1982, and the first wines were released in 1984 under the estate’s former name, Maison Deutz. The French-owned winery once produced 30,000 cases of sparkling wine annually. Laetitia still produces sparkling wine in the same manner, and with the same French basket press, on display at the tasting room.

NV Brut Cuvée – Gala apple, streams of bubbles and soft melon notes meet to create this festive sparkling wine comprised of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, respectively. Lemon chiffon and sultry pear framed by freshly baked challah bread come forward on second approach of our house sparkling wine, great for pairing with pork with an apple-celery root slaw or our winemaker’s favorite: potato chips.
2021 Brut de Blancs, Arroyo Grande Valley – Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc, this lively sparkler shows bright flavors of grapefruit pith, lime blossom and kiwifruit. Clean and focused, the wine finishes with delicate white tea, crushed stone and buttered toast nuances.
2021 Sparkling Brut Rosé, Arroyo Grande Valley – Composed of our best estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, this alluring sparkler opens with fresh aromas of raspberry, blackberries, and red currants coupled with subtle hints of lime. Round and full in the mouth, flavors of freshly cut peaches and tangerine ride on a balancing acidity, leading to a long and savory mouthwatering finish.
2021 Sparkling Brut de Noirs – Notes of white cherry and tart tangerine, which then seamlessly give way to a mouth-watering palate of freshly toasted nuts and resplendent berry ripeness.
2021 Sparkling Brut Coquard – For over 30 years, our estate grapes have been gently pressed using our traditional Coquard champagne presses, a primary “Cuvée” cut of the best juice was made, followed by a “Taille” cut. Only the Cuvée is used for our Brut Coquard blend.
2021 Sparkling Cuvée M – Renowned for its radiant golden hue and a meticulous blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, presents an enchanting symphony of flavors.
2017 Sparkling Brut Reserve – Top lots of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and fermented them in barrels instead of the traditional stainless steel vats. Once bottled, the wine laid en tirage for 5 1/2 years before being finished, the longest of any sparkling wine Laetitia has ever produced.
NV XD Sparkling, Arroyo Grande Valley – With just a “kiss” of sweetness, our beautiful interpretation of a demi-sec, the XD opens up with aromas of honeysuckle, strawberry rhubarb pie and orange zest. Its luscious, round flavors pair well with fruit-driven desserts.

Coolest: 3 Wineries in Los Alamos

Lo-Fi wines bottles and cans displayed creatively.

Los Alamos has a free spirit, and so cultivates the same in its wines. There are 3 wineries along Bell Street that produce sparkling wine in smaller quantities. This means they pop up at various times of the year, sell out fast, and tend to be made with more nontraditional grapes.

Lo-Fi’s 2020 Sparkling 2020 Chenin Blanc is made from Chenin Blanc around Los Olivos in the traditional method, like in Champagne, France. Winemaker Mike Roth is constantly creating new sparklers, so be on the lookout for more Bubblies, include regular, fun Pét-Nats.

Try all the drinkable gems, unearthed by the folks at Babi’s Beer Emporium. They use our journeys and connections to bring you a thoughtfully curated selection of craft beers from across the globe, both near and far. The rotating tap list pairs beautifully with our extensive collection of chilled ales, ciders, champagnes, and other sparkling delights. Best Coast Beverages brings the spirit of the sparkling Golden State to life in a sleek, convenient can of Fizzy Red and Fizzy White.

A Tribute to Grace‘s winemaker Angela Osbournce loves Grenache, so she makes her bubbly from that grape. Angela’s Gracias Madre Blanc de Noirs is made in the traditional method, and named in honor of her mother and her laughter and dream-sharing—as well as fresh scallops.