Creating Breathless Moments
E
ven here in the casual atmosphere of wine country, there’s often a slight formality associated with tasting bubbly wines. The sampling experience is, at times, held in a grand salon with formal seating and a rather structured approach to service. Most of the winemaking terminology used to describe sparkling wine production is primarily done in the French language – all of which can be daunting for newcomers to learn about méthode champenoise, a sparkling wine process which uses a natural secondary fermentation in the bottle to achieve the rounded and delicate bubbles in the wine. At Breathless Sparkling Wines in Healdsburg, your foray into the effervescent is never intimidating or ceremonious. The three founding sisters of Sharon Cohn, Rebecca Faust, Cynthia Faust, and award-winning veteran winemaker Penny Gadd-Coster (dubbed sister number four) created the winery in loving memory of the sisters’ late mother, Martha Jane. She imparted the notion to her girls that every breath we take is a precious gift and ought to be enjoyed to the fullest. And so, Breathless Sparkling Wines was born. Founded on a concept of relaxed elegance, friendly and knowledgeable hosts, ecofriendly stewardship, and creating special moments out of the ordinary, the environment at Breathless Sparkling Wines encourages visitors to share good wine with family and friends and drink in life’s breathless moments – to savor the simple joys. A reminder that even life’s smallest moments can leave you breathless.
SIPPING AL FRESCO
Located one block from Healdsburg Plaza off Moore Lane, the stylish tasting room is where industrial meets glam. Built out of shipping containers, the interior design is reminiscent of the flamboyant Art Deco period of the 1920s. Mixed metals, white marble accents, Parisian blue walls, and glistening chandeliers inside the space set the vibe for a celebratory moment awaiting you. Their outdoor tiered terrace feels secluded and one with nature, allowing you to sip at a leisurely pace under the protection of shade umbrellas and redwood trees whilst overlooking a beautiful drought-resistant garden.
Rebecca Faust, Cynthia Faust and Sharon Cohn
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