The Williamsburg Winery Rings in a New Year With a Sparkling Addition - The Williamsburg Winery

The Williamsburg Winery Rings in a New Year With a Sparkling Addition


Williamsburg, Virginia — Toast the new year with a little sparkle from The Williamsburg Winery.

The state’s largest winery recently introduced sparkling wine to its portfolio with two fizzy selections. The crisp, fruit-forward 2017 Brut Rosé displays notes of strawberry, cherry and vanilla, and the 2017 Blanc de Blanc features notes of lemon, green apple and pear, with a creaminess to the finish.

“Every day is a good day for a bubbly!” said Patrick Duffeler, founder of The Williamsburg Winery. “We just launched our sparkling wine program, and it already has an interest and a following. We rely on a local source — grapes grown in the Monticello Appellation near Charlottesville — to produce a 100% Virginia-made sparkling wine.”

Both selections are made using the traditional or Méthode Champenoise, “Champenoise” refers to the Champagne region of France.. The transformation from a still to sparkling wine occurs with two fermentations, the second of which takes place inside the bottle. The yeast consumes the sugar into alcohol, which emits carbon dioxide. Sealed in by pressurized bottles, the gas carbonates the wine to produce its signature bubbles.

While typical sparkling wine remains in the bottle for 12-18 months, the Méthode Champenoise favors 30 months of aging. That effect creates a complex and creamier vintage. 

“Champagne made in Champagne is very expensive compared to what you get in Virginia, California or even Spain,” said Kenny Bumbaco, Vice President of Direct Wine Sales at The Williamsburg Winery. “If you’re looking to have Champagne quality but at a much better price, these sparkling wines are a great way to go.”

The Blanc de Blanc and the Brut Rosé retail for $28. 

“They’re versatile enough to enjoy with multiple foods or as an aperitif,” said Matthew Meyer, Winemaker at The Williamsburg Winery. “They bring cheer to even a simple occasion.”

The newest additions from The Williamsburg Winery stem from a recent partnership with the Afton-based Virginia Sparkling Company (VSC), the first custom sparkling wine facility in the state, which opened earlier this year. The partnership reunites Duffeler with his longtime friend Andrew Hodson, owner of VSC, which is an affiliate of Veritas Vineyard & Winery.

The men met in England years ago.

“He has built a great winery,” Duffeler said. “We have endeavored on what I think is a wonderful partnership.”

Plans are underway for an estate-grown sparkling wine from grapes recently harvested from the vineyards at The Williamsburg Winery expected to launch in 2022. 

Sparkling wine, and in particular, sparkling Rosé, is among the fastest growing wine types in the country. Grapes for sparkling wine are picked earlier in the season than those grown for still or sweet wines, ideal for Virginia, which is prone to late harvest rainfall.

What’s smart from a viticulture perspective is also fun anytime. 

“I believe in drinking sparkling wine for more than a celebration,” Bumbaco said. “When you open a bottle of sparkling wine, it’s almost like it turns whatever you are doing into a celebration. Have fun and celebrate that we made it through another day – or on New Year’s Eve, another year.”

Learn more about The Williamsburg Winery at williamsburgwinery.com. 

MEDIA CONTACT

Stephanie Heinatz 

Consociate Media for The Williamsburg Winery

757-713-2199

[email protected]


Experience the Winery

Come see the many ways we’ve earned our place on the world wine map.
LEARN MORE