2021 Schramsberg Green Valley Blanc de Blancs

About this wine

The 2021 Green Valley of Russian River Valley Blanc de Blancs showcases the very best Chardonnay vineyards from this specific region within the broader Russian River Valley AVA. This sparkling brut is a blend crafted from five sites; Hawk Hill, Hill Vineyard, Mill Station Vineyard, Bush Vineyard and Keefer Ranch. This vibrant and complex wine combines a rich texture with excellent drive on the palate. This bright, crisp sparkler will age beautifully over the next 20+ years, developing attractive caramelized, nutty and toasted flavors and aromas. Made in limited quantities, our winemaking team is very excited to release this sparkling wine.

The Green Valley of the Russian River roughly outlines the watershed of the Green Valley Creek and is south of the Russian River. It is bounded by Gravenstein Hwy to the east, Bodega Hwy to the south and the Russian River on the north. The cool climate of this pocket of West Sonoma County, is the first place in the region the fog comes in and the last place where it burns off. The predominate soil type is Goldridge, a fine sandy loam soil. Wines from this valley are fresh, clean, crisp, and beautifully integrated.

Hand picking, careful handling and gentle pressing produce a wine of delicacy, aromatic purity, and depth. Following the fall harvest and fermentation of the base wines, extensive tasting trials are carried out in the spring to create a polished blend reflective of the vintage. The finished blend undergoes a second fermentation in bottle before aging on its yeast lees for over four years, just enough to achieve refined effervescence and toastiness without diminishing its refreshing, vibrant appeal.

The 2021 growing season started with cold temperatures and minimal rain, that gave way to warm weather through the summer months. Hot days and cold nights allowed for steady ripening throughout the season. The few heat spikes at the end of August encouraged the vines to dig deep in the soils, resulting in highly concentrated fruit with a beautiful balance of generous acidity.

Tasting notes

Our 2021 Green Valley Blanc de Blancs opens with aromas of tart pinapple and crisp green apple, followed by lemon sorbet and lime zest. The palate is tangy, layered with flavors of fresh citrus and candied lemon peel. A bright, juicy center brings notes of baked apple and shortbread cookie, leading into a long, quenching finish. - Winemakers Jessica Koga, Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies