There’s something about sparkling wine that feels like travel in a glass—bright, effervescent, full of surprise. And while Champagne has long set the stage, the U.S. has quietly (and now loudly) carved out its own sparkling identity. What’s most exciting isn’t just the quality, but the individuality: each region, each producer is bubbling with its own story.
Let’s take a tasting journey to three producers who are doing something truly unique in the sparkling world: Treveri Cellars in Washington State, Piper Sonoma in California, and Dr. Konstantin Frank in New York’s State’s Finger Lakes region.
Stop One: Treveri Cellars – Washington’s Sparkling Playground
Tucked into the Yakima Valley, Treveri Cellars is the kind of place where sparkling doesn’t feel stuffy. Their tasting room buzzes with warmth, and the wines are as adventurous as the family who makes them.
What sets Treveri apart? They bubble everything. While most sparkling houses stick to the Champagne grapes, Treveri throws tradition a wink and bottles méthode traditionnelle wines from Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Syrah, and even Müller-Thurgau.
Try the Sparkling Syrah Rosé: vivid red fruit and a little spice—it’s summer barbecue in a flute.
Or the Sparkling Gewürztraminer: floral, exotic, and just a touch off-dry, perfect with spicy Thai food.
Treveri proves that sparkling wine isn’t just about Chardonnay and Pinot—it can be a canvas for playful expression.
See our tasting video, where Suzi tastes two of their beautiful sparkling wines.
Stop Two: Piper Sonoma – A Toast to California Sunshine
Next, we head south to Sonoma, where rolling vineyards bask in the kind of golden light that makes you slow down and breathe deeper. Here lies Piper Sonoma, born in the 1980s from a collaboration with Champagne’s Piper-Heidsieck.
But instead of trying to mimic France, Piper Sonoma embraced the California personality: ripe fruit, approachable charm, and just enough French finesse to keep things elegant.
Their calling card? Making méthode champenoise sparkling wine that doesn’t break the bank.
Sip the Piper Sonoma Brut: green apple and citrus zip, layered with brioche richness. Explore tasting details here.
For something more indulgent, the Blanc de Noirs: soft strawberry, creamy texture, and a finish that lingers like a California sunset.
If Champagne is the black-tie gala, Piper Sonoma is the breezy garden party—you’ll still dress nicely, but you’ll actually dance.
Stop Three: Dr. Konstantin Frank – A Finger Lakes Legacy
Finally, we cross the country to West-Central New York, where deep, glacial lakes carve a cool climate that could have been designed for sparkling wine.
Here, Dr. Konstantin Frank changed American wine forever. In the 1950s, he proved that European vinifera grapes could thrive in this chilly corner of the world, and through 4 generations, his family has been crafting elegant wines ever since.
What makes their sparkling wines special is their cold-climate purity. The high acidity and mineral drive echo Champagne more than California, but with a distinctly Finger Lakes American Viticultural Area stamp.
Try Chateau Frank Blanc de Blancs: razor-sharp, citrusy, and toasty—proof that world-class sparkling doesn’t need a French address.
Seek out a Riesling Sparkling: a rarity in the sparkling world, here it sings with crisp orchard fruit and a bracing finish.
It feels like drinking history: pioneering spirit in every bubble. Explore tasting details here.
Final Sip: Why These Bubbles Matter
The beauty of exploring these three producers is realizing how diverse America’s sparkling landscape truly is.
Treveri in Washington State shows us that bubbles can be playful and varietally daring.
Piper Sonoma in Sonoma proves that Champagne tradition can feel sunny and accessible.
Dr. Konstantin Frank in New York State reminds us that history and terroir shape wines as much as winemaking does.
So, the next time you pop a cork, maybe let it be a little road trip in a glass. From Washington’s adventurous sparkle, to Sonoma’s sunny charm, to the Finger Lakes’ crisp elegance—you’ll have traveled coast to coast without leaving your table.
Cheers to bubbles with personality.
Explore these producers further with our tasting videos that have been published on YouTube here:
Treveri Cellars: An Exceptional Sparkling Wine Tasting. Suzi tastes a Bubbly Brut Zero & Riesling!
A Properly Unpretentious Piper Sonoma Wine Tasting! Suzi explores their Brut NV Sparkling Wine.
An Ingenious Tasting! Suzi explores the 2018 Dr. Konstantin Frank Brut Méthode Champenoise.