Schramsberg Vineyards
ChampagneUSA
Schramsberg sparkling wines are rated and compared to similar brands. A detailed description along with tasting notes are provided.
Schramsberg originated in Napa Valley in 1862 on the slopes of Diamond Mountain. Napa's oldest hillside vineyards. In 1965, using grapes from the Charles Krug Champagne winery, it's Blanc de Blancs became the first Chardonnay sparkling wine in America. Visitors are welcome at their charming Napa Valley winery.
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Brut White Blend
Non-vintage
Vintage
Brut Rose
Non-vintage
Vintage
Brut Blanc De Blancs
Vintage
About
Schramsber Vineyards uses Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes except for their demi-sec sparkling wine. They have long term contracts with a number of vineyards located throughout the North Coast area of California. They use some oak barrel fermentation in their production.
Wine Tasting
Schramsberg offers daily tours and tastings by appointment/reservation only. Their permit limits the number that can participate in the tour. The tours include information on the history, the caves, the wine and more. Tastings are conducted at the end of the tour.
Wine Club
Schramsberg offers memberships in their Cellars Club and Riddlers Circle Club for sparkling wine. Membership includes a complimentary tasting for member and one guest subsequent to the date of club sign up. Discounts on wines and merchandise purchases at the visitor center or online. Priority access to new releases, large format and winery only wines. Invitations to winemaker dinners and other events outside the winery. Email promotions for special pricing. Riddler's Circle members also receive two additional complimentary tastings at the winery (member plus 3 additional guests) and invitations to club events and parties at the winery. Still wine memberships are also available.
Annual Production
About 60,000 cases are produced annually.
Producer Style
Generally fruit driven and elegant.
Producer Type
Schramsberg Vineyards oversees a number of vineyards located throughout the North Coast area of California including Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties. Grapes for Schramsberg's sparkling wine production may come from more than 100 different vineyard blocks.
People
Current Owner
Hugh Davies (privately owned)
CEO/President
Hugh Davies is CEO/President
Vintner
Hugh Davies (since 2005)
Hugh holds a master's in enology. Hugh is the vintner working closely with Keith Hock (sparkling wine winemaker) and Sean Thompson (still wine winemaker).
Winemaker
Sean Thompson, Vice President of winemaking
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History
Schramsberg originated in Napa Valley in 1862 on the slopes of Diamond Mountain, a few miles south of Calistoga. It is comprised of 218 acres with 43 acres planted in grapes, Napa's oldest hillside vineyards. A registered historic landmark, complete with caves, a Victorian mansion and barn remain the same as it was in the days of Jacob Schram.
Schramsberg was originally developed by Jacob Schram on the lower slopes of Diamond Mountain. Born in Germany, Schram was raised in a winemaking family and was trained to be a barber. He immigrated to New York and later to San Francisco where he made a living as a barber. He purchased the land in Napa Valley for the vineyards and winery in 1862. A cabin was built for shelter as Jacob and his wife Annie developed the vineyards and winery. By 1870 30,000 vines had been planted. After experiencing the summer heat of the area, underground cellars were dug to maintain cool temperatures for winemaking and storage. In 1875 the Schram Victorian Mansion was completed at the site. The mansion is still occupied today. By 1879 production had risen to 5500 cases. In 1881, additional cellar tunnels were started and completed in 1888. The caves today can hold as many as 2.7 million bottles aging 2 to 10 years before release (34,000 sq. feet).
Production continued to grow over the years and increased to over 28,000 cases of still wine per year. Schramsberg wines became well known and well respected wine even as far away as London. The wines won awards in America as well as internationally.
Annie died in 1901 after being stricken by paralysis. Their son, Herman, inherited the property after Jacob died in 1905. Herman attempted to run the winery but sold it in 1912. After battling phylloxera and prohibition the property was sold several times in the following years. The winery was named a state historical landmark in 1957.
In 1965 the property was sold to Jack and Jamie Davies. Their son Hugh was born the month following acquiring the winery. At this point the property had been abandoned for years and it was clear the Davies had their work cut out. Jack and Jamie replanted and renovated. All wines produced before the Davies took over were still wines, but the Davies decided to produce sparkling wine. They were determined to use the traditional method and make sparkling wine that could rival great champagne. Also in 1965, using grapes from the Charles Krug Champagne winery, it's Blanc de Blancs was produced, making it the first Chardonnay sparkling wine in America. Then came the 1967 Blanc de Noirs, produced using Pinot Noir grapes with the traditional method. Other sparkling wines followed. The first bottling of J Schram was the 1987 vintage. The wine was introduced in 1992 as America's first téte de cuvée. Schramsburg and the Davies have received countless awards and recognition for wine as well as contribution to the industry over the years. Jack Davies passed away in 1998. That same year Schramsberg Vineyards was put on the National Register of Historic Places. Jamie headed the company until her son, Hugh, took over as President and CEO in 2005. Jamie died in 2008.
Famous Visitors
In 1880, Jacob Schram entertained author Robert Lewis Stevenson who would occasionally stayed. He used the area as the basis for his book, The Silverado Squatters. Stevenson and his wife, Fanny were staying in an abandoned shack in the area during their honeymoon. Stevenson described the area as being full of grizzly bears, eagles, rattlesnakes and Schramsberg.