Why You Need to Visit the Schramsberg Vineyards

Napa Valley is known for its many wonderful vineyards and wineries. When you visit and stay with us at Churchill Manor, you can discover all our incredible local vineyards firsthand. Sip some wine and relax in the California sunshine as you take in the beautiful scenery each vineyard has to offer. The Schramsberg Vineyards, located less than 45 minutes from our bed and breakfast, is the perfect choice if you are looking for something unique. Schramsberg Vineyards specializes in sparkling wines, and its tastings take place underground in caves that are over 100 years old!

Find out more about the vineyards and wineries near Churchill Manor when you download our free Vacation Guide. It’s full of the best recommendations for tastings and tours to try during your stay, such as those at the Schramsberg Vineyards or Hess Winery!

Schramsberg Vineyards’ Story

The historic Schramsberg property had been abandoned for years before the Davies family found it and brought it back to life. The family had been looking for a challenge. Once they saw the overgrown 19th-century Victorian mansion, they had a vision. The Davies renovated and created the lofty goal to produce a world-class sparkling wine. In 1965, the Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs was born: the first commercial use of Chardonnay in American sparkling wine. The rest is history.

Tasting and Tours

Schramsberg Vineyards offers a variety of tours and tastings, depending on what you are looking for. If you are looking to go with a group, the vineyard provides an educational tour and then wine tastings for groups of 7-12 people. Reservations are also available for individuals. Each tour is expertly conducted by your guide through the 125-year-old caves. Your guide will begin with a telling of the rich history of Schramsberg Vineyards, then describe the traditional method of producing sparkling wines. The tour ends with a tasting of a selection of wines. Each tour is considered a special event, so you have to make a reservation in advance.

What You Need to Know About the Wine

It is Handcrafted

Schramsberg Vineyards’ goal is to produce the finest sparkling wines in the United States. Its wines are truly handcrafted from the very beginning. The grapes are harvested by hand, the wines are handcrafted, and the bottles are brought down and stocked by hand in the caves.

Aging and Fermentation of the Wines

One of the many unique aspects of Schramsberg Vineyards is that it ferments 25% of its juice in oak barrels. As the juices age in the oak, its flavor becomes more rich and luscious. Sometimes, barrels are aged for up to ten years! The winemaker then mixes the different types of aged juices together, making each bottle’s end result more complex. Bubbles are created in the wine by a second fermentation process, Méthode Traditionelle. This process gives the Champagne and wines an even higher quality.

Take Some Wines Home

After your visit to Schramsberg Vineyards, you will surely want to take a bottle of wine or two home. After your tasting, pick your favorites. The Schramsberg Rosé’s aromas of cherry and apple make it a perfect summertime wine. If you are looking for one of the bottles that started it all, the Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs is a perfect choice; Schramsberg created the first ever in the United States!

After Your Tour, Relax at Churchill Manor

After enjoying one of the unique tours Schramsberg Vineyards has to offer, come back to Churchill Manor to relax.Try some other Napa Valley wines and appetizers we offer every afternoon as you relax on our veranda before heading out to one of Napa’s many restaurants for dinner. Rest up in your luxurious room, then join us for a complimentary homemade breakfast to get you ready for another day of wine tours and tastings!