United States

AVAs · California sparkling estates

In the United States, the origin of a wine is defined by American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) under 27 CFR part 9, which describe geography and do not set sparkling-wine methods.1,2 In California, Champagne houses and a family from Barcelona founded sparkling estates from 1973 onward, in Napa Valley, Carneros and Anderson Valley.3,4,5,6

What an AVA does

American Viticultural Areas are defined in 27 CFR part 9, administered by the TTB. Each section describes boundaries and approved names. An AVA does not fix grape varieties, method or time on the lees for sparkling wine.1,2 Rules on method, ageing and dosage that apply in European appellations are therefore set, if at all, by the producer, not by the place name.

Two AVAs with sparkling estates have their own pages: Los Carneros AVA in Napa and Sonoma counties, and Anderson Valley AVA in Mendocino County. Both were established on 18 August 1983.1,2

Notable houses

HouseFounded by or part ofKey datePlace
Chandon CaliforniaMoët Hennessy (LVMH)1973Yountville, Napa Valley
Roederer EstateChampagne Louis Roederer1982 (site chosen)Anderson Valley
Gloria FerrerJosé and Gloria Ferrer, Barcelona1984 (planted)Sonoma, Carneros
Domaine Carnerosfamily behind Champagne Taittinger1987Carneros

Sources for the table: the houses' own sites and LVMH.3,6,5,4

Chandon California (Domaine Chandon) was founded in 1973 in Yountville, Napa Valley. LVMH, its parent group, describes it as the first Champagne house to set up a sparkling-wine outpost in the United States.3 It is part of Moët Hennessy.3

The other three houses are described on their AVA pages, with dates and vineyard areas as given by the houses themselves.

Not yet covered

Other California sparkling producers were not verified for this page.

See also

Anderson Valley AVARegionsLos Carneros AVARegionsLos Carneros AVARegionsAnderson Valley AVARegionsTraditional methodMethodsChampagneRegionsCavaRegionsNon-vintage (sans année)Styles

Sources

  1. eCFR (U.S. National Archives / TTB). 27 CFR 9.32 Los Carneros
  2. eCFR (U.S. National Archives / TTB). 27 CFR 9.86 Anderson Valley
  3. LVMH (parent group official site). Chandon California
  4. Domaine Carneros (official site). Our Story
  5. Gloria Ferrer (official site). Our Heritage
  6. Roederer Estate (official site). About

Facts checked on 2026-10-19