Dry Creek Vineyard has unveiled its 50th Anniversary Sparkling Chenin Blanc to celebrate the winery’s achievement of 50 years of family winemaking in Sonoma County, California. This is the first ever sparkling wine produced by the independently-owned and -operated winery.
The love of the Loire Valley led Founder David S. Stare to produce his inaugural 1972 Dry Chenin Blanc, and the winery has continued to craft the varietal as a still wine every harvest since. Dry Creek Vineyard remains the only American winery to produce 50 consecutive vintages of Chenin Blanc, and is recognized as the first new winery established in Dry Creek Valley following Prohibition.
The 2019 50th Anniversary Sparkling Chenin Blanc was handcrafted in the méthode champenoise tradition with a blend of 87% Chenin Blanc and 13% Cabernet Franc. The Crémant sparkling wine was fermented in 100% stainless steel and aged on lees for 20 months to create a lively and refreshing wine with a touch of minerality and a creamy texture.
Stare’s daughter, Kim Stare Wallace, is currently the President of Dry Creek Vineyard and continues to lead with a “no compromises” philosophy producing appellation-focused, terroir-driven, varietal-defining wines.
“We are at a pivotal moment in the history of Dry Creek Vineyard,” said Stare Wallace. “Our first vintage of Chenin Blanc was in 1972, and we have been building on that legacy for 50 years. Despite the corporatization of the wine industry, we have remained true to ourselves as an iconic, family-owned, heritage brand.”
“This celebratory 50th Anniversary Sparkling Chenin Blanc is a tribute to the pioneering spirit of my father, and to our dedication to carry on this tradition and legacy into the future,” said Stare Wallace.
For more information, head over to Dry Creek Vineyard’s official website.