This is how to find Estate Champagne makers in the Sierras in northern California. Above 2,000ft in altitude and below 2,500ft is proving to be a great climate for producing Champagne in this part of California. The “high altitude bubbles” area of the Sierras.
Gwinllan Estate has pioneered Estate Champagne making in this area with surprising results. Their first vintage was a Blanc de Blancs made in 2014 which took best in class and the President’s award in 2016 at the Orange County Wine Contest. In 2018 their first Rose Champagne won Best In Show at the California State Fair and a new 2016 Blanc de Blancs was awarded two gold medals. In 2019 a Blanc de Noirs will be released made from Estate Pino Noir. Gwinllan Estate is located in the southern part of El Dorado County in an AVA know as Fairplay. This is not an area that has been known for Pino Noir but is proving to be a very capable micro climate capable of producing a diversified rage of varietals.
We welcome details of other Sierra Estate Champagne makers to include on this web site to help Champagne lovers find great Champagnes in the area.