Back in the seemingly laid back and generous harvest of 2005, we had the time and the grapes to do something that's been on the wish list for some time - follow the path set down by that monk so many generations ago and make some effervescent, sparkling, vivacious wine. 2006 marks our second vintage of our sparkling, brut rosé of Pinot Noir. The grapes designated for Goat Bubbles hail from the Solomon Hills Vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley, and are a Pinot Noir clone 23. This is a sparkling wine clone of Pinot Noir, and located across Clark Road from our still Pinot Noir block. We harvest the grapes early to retain as much of their natural acidity as possible, but ripe enough to extract the hint of spiciness and fruit profile of Pinot Noir.

The 2006 vintage is a little more refined that the inaugural release - the color is a little richer, the bubbles are a bit tinier, and it’s a little more brut. There is an elegant bouquet of rose petals mingling with cranberry and then a reminiscence of maraschino cherries and newly baked bread. Lively and zingy across the palate, notes of framboise and just ripe wild strawberries are joined by hints of raspberry and kirsch, all wrapped up in the liveliness of the sparkling bubbles. A refreshing finish wakes up the taste buds and begs for just another taste.

2006 Goat Bubbles is a seriously fun wine, and one to be enjoyed for any celebration - a brand new day, crossing a task off your list, Thursdays - as well as the traditional holidays and celebrations marked with bubbles. Cheers!

Click here for full winemaking and tasting notes.