“Davies Vineyards – The most elaborate option—a wine and food brunch—pairs caviar, polenta cake and seared tenderloin with Schramsberg bubbles and Davies reds in a guided, seated format..”
“Schramsberg Vineyards – ….A must-visit destination for anyone who loves bubbles, Schramsberg is best known for sparkling wines and cave tours that tend to stick in visitors’ memories. “
Back in 1965, Jack and Jamie Davies set out to create America’s most prestigious sparkling wine with Schramsberg Vineyards. The couple officially achieved success in 1972, when a bottle of Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs became the first American sparkling wine served at a White House state dinner. Since then, every president has poured Schramsberg at one point or another.
The charming property Schramsberg calls home is in Calistoga. The brand takes its name from its original owner, Jacob Schram, a German immigrant who purchased the land and started making wine there in the 1860s. Jack and Jamie’s son, Hugh, who was coincidentally born in 1965, oversees the winemaking today.
Jacob Schram planted vines on what is now the J. Davies estate vineyard in 1862. The vineyard is in the center of two cool water creeks, the Nash Creek and the Ritchie Creek, which help keep the vines cool even in the hot sun. The Davies family, also known for their sparkling Schramsberg wines, first planted traditional Champagne grape varieties here in the 1960s but found the land was better for Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties. This bottling is 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon that was aged for 20 months in 50 percent new French oak barrels. Delightful aromas of black plum, cherry, and cassis draw you in to its full-bodied palate of ripe red and black fruit flavors accented by brown baking spices, crushed violet petals, and a touch of graphite in the persistent finish.
“There is no pairing more essential than French fries and bubbly. This is, in fact, a meal in its entirety. Burgers, tenders and shakes be damned—if I have fresh, hand-cut fries prepared in 100% sunflower oil at the ready, a glass of something sparkling is all I need to find karmic bliss.
While Champagne is a standard-bearer for this Frenchie combo, a domestic iteration can be just as satisfying and much more economical (especially in light of recent world events). Schramsberg, an OG of California traditional-method sparkling wine production, needs no introduction. And their Blanc de Blancs? Never has a yeast-laden, fruit-baked, acid-teeming and fine-bubble bottling felt so right alongside the salty, greasy, savory crunch of a French fry. This 100% Chardonnay style’s mousse and acidity act as a squeegee on the palate, wiping the whole glutinous affair clean and preparing you for the next bite.” – Vanessa Price
“This is one of the most structured and elegant wines in the J. Davies lineup, which I tasted with winemaker Celia Welch. It carries power and density of fruit weight, with a wealth of seductive red- and black-toned fruit wrapped in tobacco leaves dusted with dark cacao powder. A salty minerality fuels the full-bodied finish, while the wine builds in intensity, lingering long on the palate.” — Jonathan Cristaldi, January 2025
“’We look at all the estate Cabernet Sauvignon blocks,’ says Celia Welch, ‘and find maybe our best 8–10 barrels to keep separate.’ Aged for about 30 months in primarily new French oak, this wine offers remarkable silkiness and concentration. Rich black currants, blackberry fruit, and cedarwood spice form a polished core, with layers of pine forest, forest floor, deep currant and kirsch fruit. The tannins are supremely fine and seamlessly integrated after extended time in barrel, finishing with classic caramel and toffee spice notes, along with a hint of dark cocoa, cacao nibs, fig, and pressed wildflowers. It is a wine of both density and freshness wrapped into one generous and utterly delectable package.” – Jonathan Cristaldi
“Flamboyant and unapologetically California in style, this sparkler offers rich and succulent Asian pear and baked apple flavors accented with fresh brioche, yeasty nut roll and spice tones that lend a touch of opulence.”— Tim Fish, Insider Weekly: September 24, 2025
“More than 130 years later, Schram’s winery is still producing delectable wines, according to recent visitors.”
“Napa Valley has a lot of great brunch spots, but Davies Vineyards in St. Helena is one of the few wineries that offers a brunch tasting, and it’s positively epic.”
“Excellence in Winemaking Award: Recognizing a female winemaker who has demonstrated exceptional skills, innovation, and consistency in producing high-quality wines. – Jessica Koga, winemaker, Schramsberg Vineyards”
“American Winery of the Year: Schramsberg Vineyards…from being the first commercial Chardonnay in American sparkling wine to being the go-to wine for world leaders at the White House.”
“Schramsberg’s proprietor brings California sparkle to the first of the 2024 New York Wine Experience seminars.”